United Kingdom: Paperboard Case Material Market 2025

Paperboard Case Material Market Size in the UK

The UK paperboard case material market dropped modestly to $X in 2022, approximately mirroring the previous year. In general, consumption saw a relatively flat trend pattern. As a result, consumption reached the peak level of $X. From 2019 to 2022, the growth of the market remained at a lower figure.

Paperboard Case Material Production in the UK

In value terms, paperboard case material production dropped modestly to $X in 2022 estimated in export price. Overall, production, however, continues to indicate a relatively flat trend pattern. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2018 with an increase of 28%. As a result, production attained the peak level of $X. From 2019 to 2022, production growth remained at a lower figure.

Paperboard Case Material Exports

Exports from the UK

In 2022, shipments abroad of paperboard case materials was finally on the rise to reach X tons for the first time since 2019, thus ending a two-year declining trend. In general, exports continue to indicate a relatively flat trend pattern. The exports peaked at X tons in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2022, the exports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

In value terms, paperboard case material exports surged to $X in 2022. Overall, total exports indicated a perceptible expansion from 2012 to 2022: its value increased at an average annual rate of +3.5% over the last decade. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2022 figures, exports increased by +83.5% against 2020 indices. As a result, the exports attained the peak and are likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

Exports by Country

Ireland (X tons) was the main destination for paperboard case material exports from the UK, with a 48% share of total exports. Moreover, paperboard case material exports to Ireland exceeded the volume sent to the second major destination, Belgium (X tons), threefold. China (X tons) ranked third in terms of total exports with a 13% share.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual growth rate of volume to Ireland amounted to +7.5%. Exports to the other major destinations recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: Belgium (+0.5% per year) and China (+27.6% per year).

In value terms, Ireland ($X) remains the key foreign market for paperboard case materials exports from the UK, comprising 57% of total exports. The second position in the ranking was held by Belgium ($X), with a 14% share of total exports. It was followed by China, with a 6.8% share.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual rate of growth in terms of value to Ireland amounted to +11.0%. Exports to the other major destinations recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: Belgium (+4.5% per year) and China (+20.4% per year).

Export Prices by Country

The average paperboard case material export price stood at $X per ton in 2022, remaining relatively unchanged against the previous year. Overall, export price indicated a noticeable increase from 2012 to 2022: its price increased at an average annual rate of +3.4% over the last decade. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2022 figures, paperboard case material export price increased by +51.7% against 2019 indices. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2021 an increase of 44%. The export price peaked in 2022 and is likely to continue growth in years to come.

There were significant differences in the average prices for the major external markets. In 2022, amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was France ($X per ton), while the average price for exports to China ($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 (+12.8%), while the prices for the other major destinations experienced more modest paces of growth.

Paperboard Case Material Imports

Imports into the UK

In 2022, approx. X tons of paperboard case materials were imported into the UK; with an increase of 10% on the previous year's figure. The total import volume increased at an average annual rate of +2.5% over the period from 2012 to 2022; the trend pattern remained consistent, with somewhat noticeable fluctuations in certain years. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2018 when imports increased by 17% against the previous year. Over the period under review, imports attained the maximum in 2022 and are likely to see steady growth in the immediate term.

In value terms, paperboard case material imports soared to $X in 2022. Over the period under review, total imports indicated a resilient increase from 2012 to 2022: its value increased at an average annual rate of +5.7% 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 +83.0% against 2020 indices. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2021 with an increase of 43%. Imports peaked in 2022 and are likely to see steady growth in years to come.

Imports by Country

Germany (X tons), Sweden (X tons) and the Netherlands (X tons) were the main suppliers of paperboard case material imports to the UK, with a combined 68% share of total imports. France, Poland, Belgium, Finland, Spain, the United States and South Africa lagged somewhat behind, together accounting for a further 26%.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of purchases, amongst the main suppliers, was attained by Belgium (with a CAGR of +46.2%), while imports for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, Germany ($X), Sweden ($X) and France ($X) appeared to be the largest paperboard case material suppliers to the UK, together accounting for 66% of total imports. The Netherlands, Poland, Belgium, Finland, Spain, the United States and South Africa lagged somewhat behind, together comprising a further 27%.

Belgium, with a CAGR of +49.1%, recorded 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 more modest paces of growth.

Import Prices by Country

The average paperboard case material import price stood at $X per ton in 2022, with an increase of 16% against the previous year. Over the last decade, it increased at an average annual rate of +3.1%. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2021 when the average import price increased by 31% against the previous year. Over the period under review, average import prices reached the maximum in 2022 and is likely to see gradual growth in years to come.

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

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by France (+4.6%), while the prices for the other major suppliers experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Platform

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