Sri Lanka: Corrugated Paper Box Market 2025

Corrugated Paper Box Market Size in Sri Lanka

In 2022, the Sri Lankan corrugated paper box market increased by 0.2% to $X, rising for the second year in a row after three years of decline. In general, consumption, however, continues to indicate mild growth. Corrugated paper box consumption peaked at $X in 2017; however, from 2018 to 2022, consumption stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Corrugated Paper Box Production in Sri Lanka

In value terms, corrugated paper box production contracted to $X in 2022 estimated in export price. Over the period under review, production, however, recorded a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2015 with an increase of 26% against the previous year. Corrugated paper box production peaked at $X in 2016; however, from 2017 to 2022, production stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Corrugated Paper Box Exports

Exports from Sri Lanka

In 2022, approx. X tons of cartons, boxes and cases of corrugated paper or paperboard were exported from Sri Lanka; falling by -15.1% compared with the previous year. In general, exports, however, showed a strong increase. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2019 with an increase of 44% against the previous year. As a result, the exports reached the peak of X tons. From 2020 to 2022, the growth of the exports remained at a lower figure.

In value terms, corrugated paper box exports dropped to $X in 2022. Overall, exports, however, showed a strong increase. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2013 when exports increased by 64%. The exports peaked at $X in 2019; however, from 2020 to 2022, the exports failed to regain momentum.

Exports by Country

Kenya (X tons), Maldives (X tons) and India (X tons) were the main destinations of corrugated paper box exports from Sri Lanka, with a combined 56% share of total exports. Ethiopia, Bangladesh, Myanmar and the UK lagged somewhat behind, together comprising a further 33%.

From 2012 to 2022, the biggest increases were recorded for Ethiopia (with a CAGR of +213.7%), while shipments for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, Kenya ($X), India ($X) and Maldives ($X) appeared to be the largest markets for corrugated paper box exported from Sri Lanka worldwide, together comprising 67% of total exports. Ethiopia, Myanmar, the UK and Bangladesh lagged somewhat behind, together comprising a further 20%.

Ethiopia, with a CAGR of +133.6%, recorded the highest growth rate of the value of exports, among the main countries of destination over the period under review, while shipments for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Export Prices by Country

The average corrugated paper box export price stood at $X per ton in 2022, with an increase of 5.1% against the previous year. Overall, the export price, however, recorded a relatively flat trend pattern. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2021 when the average export price increased by 31%. The export price peaked at $X per ton in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2022, the export prices failed to regain momentum.

There were significant differences in the average prices for the major export markets. In 2022, amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was India ($X per ton), while the average price for exports to Bangladesh ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was recorded for supplies to India (+2.3%), while the prices for the other major destinations experienced a decline.

Corrugated Paper Box Imports

Imports into Sri Lanka

In 2022, overseas purchases of cartons, boxes and cases of corrugated paper or paperboard were finally on the rise to reach X tons after two years of decline. Overall, total imports indicated a mild increase from 2012 to 2022: its volume increased at an average annual rate of +1.9% over the last decade. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2014 when imports increased by 40%. Imports peaked at X tons in 2016; however, from 2017 to 2022, imports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

In value terms, corrugated paper box imports soared to $X in 2022. Over the period under review, imports continue to indicate buoyant growth. As a result, imports attained the peak and are likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

Imports by Country

China (X tons), the United States (X tons) and Hong Kong SAR (X tons) were the main suppliers of corrugated paper box imports to Sri Lanka, together accounting for 51% of total imports. The Philippines, India, Germany, Taiwan (Chinese), Thailand and the United Arab Emirates lagged somewhat behind, together accounting for a further 40%.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of purchases, amongst the main suppliers, was attained by Germany (with a CAGR of +68.4%), while imports for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, the largest corrugated paper box suppliers to Sri Lanka were China ($X), Hong Kong SAR ($X) and the United States ($X), together comprising 65% of total imports. India, the Philippines, Germany, Taiwan (Chinese), the United Arab Emirates and Thailand lagged somewhat behind, together comprising a further 27%.

Among the main suppliers, Germany, with a CAGR of +70.2%, saw the highest growth rate of the value of imports, over the period under review, while purchases for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Import Prices by Country

The average corrugated paper box import price stood at $X per ton in 2022, rising by 22% against the previous year. Overall, import price indicated a temperate expansion from 2012 to 2022: its price increased at an average annual rate of +4.4% over the last decade. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2022 figures, corrugated paper box import price increased by +75.7% against 2017 indices. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2021 when the average import price increased by 24%. The import price peaked in 2022 and is expected to retain growth in the near future.

Prices varied noticeably by country of origin: amid the top importers, the country with the highest price was China ($X per ton), while the price for the United States ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by China (+8.0%), while the prices for the other major suppliers experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Platform

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