United Kingdom: Folding Boxboard Market 2025

Folding Boxboard Market Size in the UK

In 2021, the UK folding boxboard market decreased by -4% to $X, falling for the third year in a row after two years of growth. In general, consumption showed a relatively flat trend pattern. Folding boxboard consumption peaked at $X in 2014; however, from 2015 to 2021, consumption remained at a lower figure.

Folding Boxboard Production in the UK

In value terms, folding boxboard production totaled $X in 2021 estimated in export price. Overall, production, however, continues to indicate a relatively flat trend pattern. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2013 with an increase of 33% against the previous year. Folding boxboard production peaked at $X in 2014; however, from 2015 to 2021, production failed to regain momentum.

Folding Boxboard Exports

Exports from the UK

Folding boxboard exports from the UK reached X tons in 2021, remaining stable against the previous year's figure. Overall, exports, however, saw a relatively flat trend pattern. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2018 when exports increased by 16% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the exports attained the maximum at X tons in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2021, the exports failed to regain momentum.

In value terms, folding boxboard exports expanded remarkably to $X in 2021. Over the period under review, exports, however, recorded a slight setback. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2018 with an increase of 8.8%. The exports peaked at $X in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2021, the exports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Exports by Country

The Netherlands (X tons) was the main destination for folding boxboard exports from the UK, with a 46% share of total exports. Moreover, folding boxboard exports to the Netherlands exceeded the volume sent to the second major destination, France (X tons), fivefold. Turkey (X tons) ranked third in terms of total exports with an 8.6% share.

From 2012 to 2021, the average annual growth rate of volume to the Netherlands stood at +19.3%. Exports to the other major destinations recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: France (-9.5% per year) and Turkey (+21.3% per year).

In value terms, the Netherlands ($X) emerged as the key foreign market for folding boxboard exports from the UK, comprising 42% of total exports. The second position in the ranking was held by France ($X), with an 8.6% share of total exports. It was followed by Turkey, with a 7.3% share.

From 2012 to 2021, the average annual rate of growth in terms of value to the Netherlands totaled +19.4%. Exports to the other major destinations recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: France (-5.6% per year) and Turkey (+14.4% per year).

Export Prices by Country

In 2021, the average folding boxboard export price amounted to $X per ton, picking up by 5% against the previous year. In general, the export price, however, recorded a mild curtailment. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2013 when the average export price increased by 15%. Over the period under review, the average export prices hit record highs at $X per ton in 2014; however, from 2015 to 2021, the export prices stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Prices varied noticeably country of destination: the country with the highest price was Poland ($X per ton), while the average price for exports to Finland ($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 France (+4.3%), while the prices for the other major destinations experienced more modest paces of growth.

Folding Boxboard Imports

Imports into the UK

In 2021, purchases abroad of folding boxboard decreased by -20.3% to X tons, falling for the fourth year in a row after three years of growth. Overall, imports recorded a slight contraction. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2015 with an increase of 5.9% against the previous year. Over the period under review, imports hit record highs at X tons in 2017; however, from 2018 to 2021, imports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

In value terms, folding boxboard imports dropped to $X in 2021. Over the period under review, imports recorded a mild downturn. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2018 when imports increased by 8.9%. Imports peaked at $X in 2014; however, from 2015 to 2021, imports failed to regain momentum.

Imports by Country

Finland (X tons), Sweden (X tons) and Germany (X tons) were the main suppliers of folding boxboard imports to the UK, together accounting for 61% of total imports. These countries were followed by the United States, the Netherlands, Austria, Chile, France, Russia, Denmark and Slovenia, which together accounted for a further 31%.

From 2012 to 2021, the biggest increases were recorded for Slovenia (with a CAGR of +61.4%), while purchases for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, the largest folding boxboard suppliers to the UK were Finland ($X), Sweden ($X) and Germany ($X), together accounting for 60% of total imports. These countries were followed by the Netherlands, the United States, Austria, France, Chile, Denmark, Slovenia and Russia, which together accounted for a further 27%.

Slovenia, with a CAGR of +66.2%, 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

The average folding boxboard import price stood at $X per ton in 2021, rising by 20% against the previous year. Overall, the import price continues to indicate a relatively flat trend pattern. As a result, import price reached the peak level and is likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

There were significant differences in the average prices amongst the major supplying countries. In 2021, the country with the highest price was Germany ($X per ton), while the price for Russia ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by France (+5.7%), while the prices for the other major suppliers experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Platform

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