Southern Asia: Non-Corrugated Paper Box Market 2025

Non-Corrugated Paper Box Market Size in Southern Asia

The South Asian non-corrugated paper box market shrank to $X in 2022, which is down by -1.7% against the previous year. The market value increased at an average annual rate of +1.7% over the period from 2012 to 2022; the trend pattern remained relatively stable, with only minor fluctuations throughout the analyzed period. Over the period under review, the market reached the peak level at $X in 2017; however, from 2018 to 2022, consumption stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Non-Corrugated Paper Box Production in Southern Asia

In value terms, non-corrugated paper box production fell slightly to $X in 2022 estimated in export price. The total output value increased at an average annual rate of +1.6% from 2012 to 2022; the trend pattern remained relatively stable, with only minor fluctuations being observed in certain years. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2014 when the production volume increased by 17%. Over the period under review, production reached the peak level at $X in 2017; however, from 2018 to 2022, production stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Non-Corrugated Paper Box Exports

Exports in Southern Asia

In 2022, non-corrugated paper box exports in Southern Asia skyrocketed to X tons, rising by 19% against the year before. Overall, exports continue to indicate strong growth. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2018 with an increase of 33%. Over the period under review, the exports hit record highs in 2022 and are likely to see gradual growth in the immediate term.

In value terms, non-corrugated paper box exports skyrocketed to $X in 2022. In general, exports recorded a buoyant expansion. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2018 with an increase of 34% against the previous year. The level of export peaked in 2022 and is likely to see steady growth in the near future.

Exports by Country

India dominates exports structure, amounting to X tons, which was approx. 90% of total exports in 2022. It was distantly followed by Sri Lanka (X tons), generating a 5.7% share of total exports. Pakistan (X tons) took a minor share of total exports.

India was also the fastest-growing in terms of the folding cartons, boxes and cases of non-corrugated paper or paperboard exports, with a CAGR of +15.7% from 2012 to 2022. At the same time, Sri Lanka (+9.9%) and Pakistan (+7.6%) displayed positive paces of growth. India (+9.1 p.p.) significantly strengthened its position in terms of the total exports, while Sri Lanka and Pakistan saw its share reduced by -2.9% and -3.7% from 2012 to 2022, respectively.

In value terms, India ($X) remains the largest non-corrugated paper box supplier in Southern Asia, comprising 88% of total exports. The second position in the ranking was taken by Sri Lanka ($X), with a 7.9% share of total exports.

In India, non-corrugated paper box exports expanded at an average annual rate of +16.1% over the period from 2012-2022. The remaining exporting countries recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: Sri Lanka (+9.6% per year) and Pakistan (+2.6% per year).

Export Prices by Country

The export price in Southern Asia stood at $X per ton in 2022, with an increase of 12% against the previous year. Overall, the export price, however, recorded a relatively flat trend pattern. Over the period under review, the export prices reached the maximum at $X per ton in 2014; however, from 2015 to 2022, the export prices failed to regain momentum.

There were significant differences in the average prices amongst the major exporting countries. In 2022, amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was Sri Lanka ($X per ton), while Pakistan ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by India (+0.3%), while the other leaders experienced a decline in the export price figures.

Non-Corrugated Paper Box Imports

Imports in Southern Asia

In 2022, purchases abroad of folding cartons, boxes and cases of non-corrugated paper or paperboard increased by 3.2% to X tons, rising for the second year in a row after two years of decline. Overall, imports posted a prominent expansion. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2021 with an increase of 62% against the previous year. The volume of import peaked in 2022 and is expected to retain growth in the immediate term.

In value terms, non-corrugated paper box imports shrank modestly to $X in 2022. In general, imports showed a resilient expansion. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2021 when imports increased by 79%. As a result, imports reached the peak of $X, and then contracted in the following year.

Imports by Country

In 2022, India (X tons) was the key importer of folding cartons, boxes and cases of non-corrugated paper or paperboard, comprising 52% of total imports. Bangladesh (X tons) took a 21% share (based on physical terms) of total imports, which put it in second place, followed by Nepal (13%) and Pakistan (7.3%). Afghanistan (X tons) and Sri Lanka (X tons) followed a long way behind the leaders.

India was also the fastest-growing in terms of the folding cartons, boxes and cases of non-corrugated paper or paperboard imports, with a CAGR of +18.3% from 2012 to 2022. At the same time, Nepal (+15.4%), Bangladesh (+9.3%) and Pakistan (+1.6%) displayed positive paces of growth. By contrast, Sri Lanka (-1.8%) and Afghanistan (-4.8%) illustrated a downward trend over the same period. While the share of India (+26 p.p.) and Nepal (+4.6 p.p.) increased significantly in terms of the total imports from 2012-2022, the share of Bangladesh (-2.4 p.p.), Sri Lanka (-5.7 p.p.), Pakistan (-9.6 p.p.) and Afghanistan (-13 p.p.) displayed negative dynamics.

In value terms, India ($X), Bangladesh ($X) and Nepal ($X) constituted the countries with the highest levels of imports in 2022, with a combined 86% share of total imports.

Nepal, with a CAGR of +19.8%, saw the highest growth rate of the value of imports, among the main importing countries over the period under review, while purchases for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Import Prices by Country

The import price in Southern Asia stood at $X per ton in 2022, dropping by -7.6% against the previous year. Import price indicated a notable expansion from 2012 to 2022: its price increased at an average annual rate of +3.2% over the last decade. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2022 figures, non-corrugated paper box import price decreased by +0.6% against 2018 indices. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2018 an increase of 23% against the previous year. The level of import peaked at $X per ton in 2021, and then dropped in the following year.

Prices varied noticeably by country of destination: amid the top importers, the country with the highest price was Sri Lanka ($X per ton), while Afghanistan ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Pakistan (+12.9%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Platform

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