Sri Lanka: Paper Label Market 2025

Paper Label Market Size in Sri Lanka

The Sri Lankan paper label market declined to $X in 2021, which is down by -6.6% against the previous year. In general, the total consumption indicated a prominent expansion from 2012 to 2021: its value increased at an average annual rate of +5.3% over the last nine years. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2021 figures, consumption increased by +5.2% against 2019 indices. Over the period under review, the market reached the peak level at $X in 2020, and then fell in the following year.

Paper Label Production in Sri Lanka

In value terms, paper label production dropped to $X in 2021 estimated in export price. Over the period under review, the total production indicated a prominent expansion from 2012 to 2021: its value increased at an average annual rate of +5.6% over the last nine-year period. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2021 figures, production increased by +6.1% against 2019 indices. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2014 with an increase of 32% against the previous year. Paper label production peaked at $X in 2018; however, from 2019 to 2021, production failed to regain momentum.

Paper Label Exports

Exports from Sri Lanka

In 2021, after two years of decline, there was significant growth in overseas shipments of labels of paper or paperboard, when their volume increased by 67% to X tons. Overall, exports enjoyed a prominent expansion. Over the period under review, the exports reached the maximum at X tons in 2018; however, from 2019 to 2021, the exports failed to regain momentum.

In value terms, paper label exports soared to $X in 2021. In general, total exports indicated a strong expansion from 2012 to 2021: its value increased at an average annual rate of +6.8% over the last nine years. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. As a result, the exports attained the peak and are likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

Exports by Country

Bangladesh (X tons), the United Arab Emirates (X tons) and Kenya (X tons) were the main destinations of paper label exports from Sri Lanka, together comprising 62% of total exports. These countries were followed by India, Poland, Pakistan, Myanmar, Saudi Arabia and China, which together accounted for a further 25%.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of shipments, amongst the main countries of destination, was attained by Myanmar (with a CAGR of +212.7%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, Bangladesh ($X), India ($X) and Kenya ($X) were the largest markets for paper label exported from Sri Lanka worldwide, with a combined 64% share of total exports. These countries were followed by the United Arab Emirates, Poland, Pakistan, China, Myanmar and Saudi Arabia, which together accounted for a further 16%.

Myanmar, with a CAGR of +146.2%, saw the highest rates of growth with regard to the value of exports, in terms of 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 paper label export price stood at $X per ton in 2021, dropping by -11.5% against the previous year. Over the period under review, export price indicated a modest increase from 2012 to 2021: its price increased at an average annual rate of +1.7% over the last nine-year period. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2019 an increase of 93%. The export price peaked at $X per ton in 2015; however, from 2016 to 2021, the export prices stood at a somewhat lower figure.

There were significant differences in the average prices for the major external markets. In 2021, amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was India ($X per ton), while the average price for exports to Myanmar ($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 China (+3.5%), while the prices for the other major destinations experienced more modest paces of growth.

Paper Label Imports

Imports into Sri Lanka

In 2021, purchases abroad of labels of paper or paperboard was finally on the rise to reach X tons after two years of decline. Overall, total imports indicated a strong expansion from 2012 to 2021: its volume increased at an average annual rate of +6.9% over the last nine years. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. As a result, imports reached the peak and are likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

In value terms, paper label imports skyrocketed to $X in 2021. Over the period under review, total imports indicated a buoyant increase from 2012 to 2021: its value increased at an average annual rate of +6.1% over the last nine years. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2014 with an increase of 60%. Over the period under review, imports reached the peak figure at $X in 2016; however, from 2017 to 2021, imports remained at a lower figure.

Imports by Country

In 2021, Hong Kong SAR (X tons) constituted the largest supplier of paper label to Sri Lanka, accounting for a 43% share of total imports. Moreover, paper label imports from Hong Kong SAR exceeded the figures recorded by the second-largest supplier, China (X tons), threefold. The third position in this ranking was taken by Malaysia (X tons), with a 10% share.

From 2012 to 2021, the average annual growth rate of volume from Hong Kong SAR amounted to +9.7%. The remaining supplying countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: China (-4.0% per year) and Malaysia (+11.8% per year).

In value terms, Hong Kong SAR ($X) constituted the largest supplier of labels of paper or paperboard to Sri Lanka, comprising 43% of total imports. The second position in the ranking was taken by China ($X), with an 8.7% share of total imports. It was followed by Malaysia, with a 7.3% share.

From 2012 to 2021, the average annual growth rate of value from Hong Kong SAR amounted to +3.1%. The remaining supplying countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: China (+4.6% per year) and Malaysia (+11.6% per year).

Import Prices by Country

The average paper label import price stood at $X per ton in 2021, falling by -17.6% against the previous year. In general, the import price showed a relatively flat trend pattern. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2017 an increase of 19% against the previous year. Over the period under review, average import prices hit record highs at $X per ton in 2018; however, from 2019 to 2021, import prices remained at a lower figure.

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

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by China (+9.0%), while the prices for the other major suppliers experienced a decline.

Source: IndexBox Platform

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