Sri Lanka: Paper And Paperboard Market 2025

Paper And Paperboard Market Size in Sri Lanka

The Sri Lankan paper and paperboard market dropped notably to $X in 2022, which is down by -59.2% against the previous year. This figure reflects the total revenues of producers and importers (excluding logistics costs, retail marketing costs, and retailers' margins, which will be included in the final consumer price). Over the period under review, consumption saw a abrupt shrinkage. Over the period under review, the market hit record highs at $X in 2020; however, from 2021 to 2022, consumption remained at a lower figure.

Paper And Paperboard Exports

Exports from Sri Lanka

In 2022, the amount of paper and paperboard (creped, crinkled, embossed or perforated) exported from Sri Lanka fell remarkably to X tons, with a decrease of -83.6% on 2021. In general, exports saw a pronounced shrinkage. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2019 when exports increased by 1,496% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the exports attained the peak figure at X tons in 2017; however, from 2018 to 2022, the exports remained at a lower figure.

In value terms, paper and paperboard exports contracted dramatically to $X in 2022. Overall, exports showed a abrupt curtailment. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2019 when exports increased by 1,524%. Over the period under review, the exports hit record highs at $X in 2017; however, from 2018 to 2022, the exports failed to regain momentum.

Exports by Country

Maldives (X tons) was the main destination for paper and paperboard exports from Sri Lanka, accounting for a 90% share of total exports. Moreover, paper and paperboard exports to Maldives exceeded the volume sent to the second major destination, the UK (X kg), more than tenfold. Indonesia (X kg) ranked third in terms of total exports with a 2.6% share.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual growth rate of volume to Maldives amounted to +55.0%. Exports to the other major destinations recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: the UK (+50.8% per year) and Indonesia (-65.9% per year).

In value terms, Maldives ($X) emerged as the key foreign market for paper and paperboard (creped, crinkled, embossed or perforated) exports from Sri Lanka, comprising 61% of total exports. The second position in the ranking was taken by Tajikistan ($X), with a 14% share of total exports. It was followed by the UK, with a 14% share.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual rate of growth in terms of value to Maldives stood at +39.8%. Exports to the other major destinations recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: Tajikistan (0.0% per year) and the UK (+93.8% per year).

Export Prices by Country

The average paper and paperboard export price stood at $X per ton in 2022, with a decrease of -51.4% against the previous year. In general, the export price showed a pronounced curtailment. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2013 when the average export price increased by 48%. The export price peaked at $X per ton in 2016; however, from 2017 to 2022, the export prices stood at a somewhat lower figure.

There were significant differences in the average prices for the major foreign markets. In 2022, amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was Tajikistan ($X per ton), while the average price for exports to Maldives ($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 Indonesia (+63.8%), while the prices for the other major destinations experienced more modest paces of growth.

Paper And Paperboard Imports

Imports into Sri Lanka

In 2022, approx. X tons of paper and paperboard (creped, crinkled, embossed or perforated) were imported into Sri Lanka; waning by -63.5% compared with 2021 figures. Overall, imports recorded a abrupt curtailment. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2018 when imports increased by 208%. Over the period under review, imports reached the peak figure at X tons in 2020; however, from 2021 to 2022, imports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

In value terms, paper and paperboard imports contracted remarkably to $X in 2022. Over the period under review, imports saw a abrupt decrease. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2020 with an increase of 56%. Over the period under review, imports attained the peak figure at $X in 2014; however, from 2015 to 2022, imports failed to regain momentum.

Imports by Country

In 2022, China (X tons) constituted the largest paper and paperboard supplier to Sri Lanka, accounting for a 42% share of total imports. Moreover, paper and paperboard imports from China exceeded the figures recorded by the second-largest supplier, Hong Kong SAR (X tons), twofold. The third position in this ranking was held by Indonesia (X tons), with a 14% share.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual growth rate of volume from China amounted to +21.6%. The remaining supplying countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: Hong Kong SAR (+22.3% per year) and Indonesia (-27.0% per year).

In value terms, China ($X), Indonesia ($X) and Italy ($X) appeared to be the largest paper and paperboard suppliers to Sri Lanka, with a combined 52% share of total imports. Hong Kong SAR, Sweden, India and the United States lagged somewhat behind, together comprising a further 25%.

Hong Kong SAR, with a CAGR of +15.1%, saw the highest growth rate of the value of imports, in terms of the main suppliers over the period under review, while purchases for the other leaders experienced mixed trend patterns.

Import Prices by Country

The average paper and paperboard import price stood at $X per ton in 2022, almost unchanged from the previous year. In general, import price indicated pronounced growth from 2012 to 2022: its price increased at an average annual rate of +2.8% over the last decade. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2022 figures, paper and paperboard import price increased by +79.9% against 2018 indices. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2021 an increase of 41% against the previous year. The import price peaked at $X per ton in 2017; however, from 2018 to 2022, import prices remained at a lower figure.

There were significant differences in the average prices amongst the major supplying countries. In 2022, amid the top importers, the country with the highest price was Italy ($X per ton), while the price for Hong Kong SAR ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Kuwait (+14.3%), while the prices for the other major suppliers experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Platform

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