Sri Lanka: Handmade Paper Market 2025

Handmade Paper Market Size in Sri Lanka

The Sri Lankan handmade paper market shrank slightly to $X in 2021, leveling off at the previous year. Over the period under review, the total consumption indicated notable growth from 2012 to 2021: its value increased at an average annual rate of +3.0% over the last nine-year period. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2021 figures, consumption decreased by -3.0% against 2018 indices. Handmade paper consumption peaked at $X in 2018; however, from 2019 to 2021, consumption stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Handmade Paper Production in Sri Lanka

In value terms, handmade paper production expanded slightly to $X in 2021 estimated in export price. In general, the total production indicated a pronounced expansion from 2012 to 2021: its value increased at an average annual rate of +2.5% over the last nine years. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2021 figures, production decreased by -11.3% against 2018 indices. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2017 with an increase of 25%. Handmade paper production peaked at $X in 2018; however, from 2019 to 2021, production stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Handmade Paper Exports

Exports from Sri Lanka

In 2021, the amount of handmade paper and paperboard exported from Sri Lanka fell rapidly to X tons, with a decrease of -30.3% against 2020 figures. Over the period under review, exports saw a deep slump. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2016 with an increase of 1,616%. Over the period under review, the exports reached the peak figure at X tons in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2021, the exports failed to regain momentum.

In value terms, handmade paper exports soared to $X in 2021. In general, exports showed a deep reduction. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2016 with an increase of 2,455%. As a result, the exports attained the peak of $X. From 2017 to 2021, the growth of the exports remained at a somewhat lower figure.

Exports by Country

The United States (X kg), Italy (X kg) and India (X kg) were the main destinations of handmade paper exports from Sri Lanka, together accounting for 70% of total exports. Maldives, Japan, South Korea, Canada and the Netherlands lagged somewhat behind, together accounting for a further 26%.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of shipments, amongst the main countries of destination, was attained by Canada (with a CAGR of +36.4%), while the other leaders experienced mixed trend patterns.

In value terms, the largest markets for handmade paper exported from Sri Lanka were the United States ($X), Italy ($X) and India ($X), together accounting for 81% of total exports. Japan, South Korea, Maldives, Canada and the Netherlands lagged somewhat behind, together accounting for a further 15%.

Japan, with a CAGR of +11.3%, saw 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 mixed trend patterns.

Export Prices by Country

The average handmade paper export price stood at $X per ton in 2021, surging by 73% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the export price recorded temperate growth. The export price peaked at $X per ton in 2017; however, from 2018 to 2021, the export prices stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Prices varied noticeably by country of destination: amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was the United States ($X per ton), while the average price for exports to Maldives ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was recorded for supplies to India (+14.2%), while the prices for the other major destinations experienced more modest paces of growth.

Handmade Paper Imports

Imports into Sri Lanka

In 2021, supplies from abroad of handmade paper and paperboard decreased by -1.8% to X tons, falling for the third consecutive year after four years of growth. In general, imports, however, showed a significant expansion. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2015 with an increase of 500% against the previous year. Over the period under review, imports hit record highs at X tons in 2018; however, from 2019 to 2021, imports remained at a lower figure.

In value terms, handmade paper imports skyrocketed to $X in 2021. Overall, imports, however, saw a prominent increase. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2015 when imports increased by 341% against the previous year. Over the period under review, imports reached the peak figure at $X in 2017; however, from 2018 to 2021, imports failed to regain momentum.

Imports by Country

In 2021, the United States (X tons) constituted the largest supplier of handmade paper to Sri Lanka, accounting for a 60% share of total imports. Moreover, handmade paper imports from the United States exceeded the figures recorded by the second-largest supplier, France (X tons), fourfold. India (X tons) ranked third in terms of total imports with an 11% share.

From 2012 to 2021, the average annual rate of growth in terms of volume from the United States amounted to +23.0%. The remaining supplying countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: France (+46.2% per year) and India (+8.4% per year).

In value terms, the United States ($X), Hong Kong SAR ($X) and France ($X) appeared to be the largest handmade paper suppliers to Sri Lanka, together accounting for 65% of total imports.

Hong Kong SAR, with a CAGR of +105.9%, recorded the highest rates of growth with regard to the value of imports, in terms of the main suppliers over the period under review, while purchases for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Import Prices by Country

The average handmade paper import price stood at $X per ton in 2021, jumping by 53% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the import price, however, saw a abrupt curtailment. The import price peaked at $X per ton in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2021, import prices stood at a somewhat lower figure.

There were significant differences in the average prices amongst the major supplying countries. In 2021, amid the top importers, the country with the highest price was Hong Kong SAR ($X per ton), while the price for the United States ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Germany (+17.9%), while the prices for the other major suppliers experienced a decline.

Source: IndexBox Platform

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