United Kingdom: Paper And Paperboard Market 2024

Paper And Paperboard Market Size in the UK

The UK paper and paperboard market contracted to $X in 2022, therefore, remained relatively stable against the previous year. Overall, consumption, however, continues to indicate prominent growth. As a result, consumption reached the peak level of $X. From 2019 to 2022, the growth of the market failed to regain momentum.

Paper And Paperboard Production in the UK

In value terms, paper and paperboard production dropped slightly to $X in 2022 estimated in export price. Over the period under review, production saw a pronounced contraction. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2016 when the production volume increased by 86%. As a result, production attained the peak level of $X. From 2017 to 2022, production growth remained at a somewhat lower figure.

Paper And Paperboard Exports

Exports from the UK

In 2022, shipments abroad of paper and paperboard (creped, crinkled, embossed or perforated) decreased by -8.3% to X tons, falling for the third year in a row after three years of growth. Overall, total exports indicated a notable increase from 2012 to 2022: its volume 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, exports decreased by -20.6% against 2019 indices. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2015 with an increase of 27% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the exports attained the peak figure at X tons in 2019; however, from 2020 to 2022, the exports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

In value terms, paper and paperboard exports reduced to $X in 2022. Over the period under review, exports, however, recorded a relatively flat trend pattern. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2014 with an increase of 18%. Over the period under review, the exports attained the peak figure at $X in 2019; however, from 2020 to 2022, the exports failed to regain momentum.

Exports by Country

China (X tons), the United States (X tons) and Italy (X tons) were the main destinations of paper and paperboard exports from the UK, with a combined 47% share of total exports. Germany, Hong Kong SAR, Thailand, France, Ireland, Peru, Poland, Vietnam, Romania and the Netherlands lagged somewhat behind, together accounting for a further 34%.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of shipments, amongst the main countries of destination, was attained by Vietnam (with a CAGR of +70.6%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, the largest markets for paper and paperboard exported from the UK were China ($X), the United States ($X) and Italy ($X), with a combined 43% share of total exports. Germany, Hong Kong SAR, France, Thailand, Poland, the Netherlands, Ireland, Peru, Vietnam and Romania lagged somewhat behind, together comprising a further 36%.

Vietnam, with a CAGR of +56.3%, recorded the highest rates of growth with regard to the value of exports, among 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

In 2022, the average paper and paperboard export price amounted to $X per ton, declining by -5.4% against the previous year. Overall, the export price recorded a noticeable decline. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2018 an increase of 10% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the average export prices hit record highs at $X per ton in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2022, the export prices failed to regain momentum.

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 the Netherlands ($X per ton), while the average price for exports to Romania ($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 Thailand (+1.1%), while the prices for the other major destinations experienced mixed trend patterns.

Paper And Paperboard Imports

Imports into the UK

In 2022, approx. X tons of paper and paperboard (creped, crinkled, embossed or perforated) were imported into the UK; waning by -8.8% compared with the year before. Over the period under review, imports continue to indicate a deep setback. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2015 when imports increased by 17% against the previous year. As a result, imports reached the peak of X tons. From 2016 to 2022, the growth of imports remained at a somewhat lower figure.

In value terms, paper and paperboard imports contracted to $X in 2022. Overall, imports continue to indicate a abrupt decline. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2021 when imports increased by 23%. Imports peaked at $X in 2014; however, from 2015 to 2022, imports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Imports by Country

France (X tons), Germany (X tons) and China (X tons) were the main suppliers of paper and paperboard imports to the UK, with a combined 67% share of total imports. Italy, the United States, India, the Czech Republic, Sweden and Turkey 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 the Czech Republic (with a CAGR of +51.3%), while imports for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, the largest paper and paperboard suppliers to the UK were China ($X), Germany ($X) and France ($X), together accounting for 64% of total imports. The United States, Italy, India, the Czech Republic, Sweden and Turkey lagged somewhat behind, together comprising a further 27%.

In terms of the main suppliers, the Czech Republic, with a CAGR of +52.2%, saw the highest rates of growth with regard to the value of imports, 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 paper and paperboard import price amounted to $X per ton, with an increase of 3.5% against the previous year. In general, the import price continues to indicate a resilient increase. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2019 an increase of 60% against the previous year. Over the period under review, average import prices reached the peak figure in 2022 and is likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

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

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Germany (+19.5%), while the prices for the other major suppliers experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Platform

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