United Kingdom: Corrugated Paper Box Market 2024

Corrugated Paper Box Market Size in the UK

In 2022, after three years of growth, there was decline in the UK corrugated paper box market, when its value decreased by -1.1% to $X. In general, consumption, however, showed a relatively flat trend pattern. Corrugated paper box consumption peaked at $X in 2015; however, from 2016 to 2022, consumption stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Corrugated Paper Box Production in the UK

In value terms, corrugated paper box production shrank slightly to $X in 2022 estimated in export price. Overall, production continues to indicate a relatively flat trend pattern. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2019 with an increase of 24% against the previous year. Corrugated paper box production peaked at $X in 2015; however, from 2016 to 2022, production failed to regain momentum.

Corrugated Paper Box Exports

Exports from the UK

In 2022, overseas shipments of cartons, boxes and cases of corrugated paper or paperboard increased by 6.1% to X tons, rising for the second year in a row after three years of decline. The total export volume increased at an average annual rate of +2.1% over the period from 2012 to 2022; however, the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2016 with an increase of 19% against the previous year. The exports peaked at X tons in 2017; however, from 2018 to 2022, the exports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

In value terms, corrugated paper box exports expanded to $X in 2022. The total export value increased at an average annual rate of +1.9% from 2012 to 2022; however, the trend pattern remained consistent, with somewhat noticeable fluctuations being observed throughout the analyzed period. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2021 when exports increased by 23% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the exports reached the maximum in 2022 and are expected to retain growth in years to come.

Exports by Country

Ireland (X tons) was the main destination for corrugated paper box exports from the UK, accounting for a 28% share of total exports. Moreover, corrugated paper box exports to Ireland exceeded the volume sent to the second major destination, the Netherlands (X tons), fivefold. The third position in this ranking was taken by Germany (X tons), with a 4.4% share.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual growth rate of volume to Ireland totaled -7.5%. Exports to the other major destinations recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: the Netherlands (+2.6% per year) and Germany (+4.6% per year).

In value terms, Ireland ($X) remains the key foreign market for cartons, boxes and cases of corrugated paper or paperboard exports from the UK, comprising 23% of total exports. The second position in the ranking was taken by the Netherlands ($X), with a 9.4% share of total exports. It was followed by Germany, with a 5.4% share.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual growth rate of value to Ireland totaled -7.9%. Exports to the other major destinations recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: the Netherlands (+2.8% per year) and Germany (+4.6% per year).

Export Prices by Country

In 2022, the average corrugated paper box export price amounted to $X per ton, remaining constant against the previous year. Over the period under review, the export price continues to indicate a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2018 an increase of 25%. Over the period under review, the average export prices hit record highs at $X per ton in 2012; afterwards, it flattened through to 2022.

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 the Czech Republic ($X per ton), while the average price for exports to Ireland ($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 France (+6.5%), while the prices for the other major destinations experienced more modest paces of growth.

Corrugated Paper Box Imports

Imports into the UK

After three years of growth, supplies from abroad of cartons, boxes and cases of corrugated paper or paperboard decreased by -13.1% to X tons in 2022. In general, total imports indicated a strong increase from 2012 to 2022: its volume increased at an average annual rate of +5.0% over the last decade. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2022 figures, imports increased by +37.3% against 2018 indices. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2021 when imports increased by 30%. As a result, imports reached the peak of X tons, and then reduced in the following year.

In value terms, corrugated paper box imports fell slightly to $X in 2022. The total import value increased at an average annual rate of +2.0% from 2012 to 2022; however, the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded in certain years. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2021 when imports increased by 36% against the previous year. As a result, imports reached the peak of $X, and then reduced slightly in the following year.

Imports by Country

Turkey (X tons), the Netherlands (X tons) and Ireland (X tons) were the main suppliers of corrugated paper box imports to the UK, together comprising 48% of total imports. Poland, China, Germany, Italy and France lagged somewhat behind, together comprising a further 39%.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of purchases, amongst the main suppliers, was attained by Poland (with a CAGR of +21.5%), while imports for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, the largest corrugated paper box suppliers to the UK were China ($X), Turkey ($X) and Germany ($X), with a combined 51% share of total imports. The Netherlands, Ireland, Poland, Italy and France lagged somewhat behind, together comprising a further 32%.

Poland, with a CAGR of +15.3%, saw the highest growth rate of the value of imports, among the main suppliers over the period under review, while purchases for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Import Prices by Country

In 2022, the average corrugated paper box import price amounted to $X per ton, picking up by 13% against the previous year. Overall, the import price, however, recorded a noticeable reduction. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2018 when the average import price increased by 18%. The import price peaked at $X per ton in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, import prices stood at a somewhat lower figure.

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

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Turkey (+3.3%), while the prices for the other major suppliers experienced a decline.

Source: IndexBox Platform

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