Wrapping Papers Market

The global market for wrapping paper, packaging paper, and paperboard is forecasted to grow steadily in volume and value over the next eight years. Leading countries such as China, the United States, and Germany play significant roles in consumption, production, and exports. Key products driving the market include unbleached sack kraft paper, corrugated paper and paperboard, and various types of kraft paper. Prices are expected to continue rising, with noticeable variations based on product type and country of origin.

Market Forecast

Driven by increasing demand for wrapping paper, packaging paper and paperboard worldwide, the market is expected to continue an upward consumption trend over the next eight years. Market performance is forecast to accelerate, expanding with an anticipated CAGR of +2.0% for the period from 2022 to 2030, which is projected to bring the market volume to 24M tons by the end of 2030.

In value terms, the market is forecast to increase with an anticipated CAGR of +3.9% for the period from 2022 to 2030, which is projected to bring the market value to $38.8B (in nominal prices) by the end of 2030.

Consumption

World Consumption of Wrapping Paper, Packaging Paper and Paperboard

In 2022, consumption of wrapping paper, packaging paper and paperboard increased by 0.3% to 20M tons, rising for the second year in a row after two years of decline. Overall, consumption saw a relatively flat trend pattern. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2021 when the consumption volume increased by 9.4%. Over the period under review, global consumption attained the maximum volume in 2022 and is expected to retain growth in the immediate term.

The global wrapping papers market value expanded to $28.5B in 2022, rising by 1.9% 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). The market value increased at an average annual rate of +1.1% from 2012 to 2022; the trend pattern remained relatively stable, with somewhat noticeable fluctuations being observed in certain years. Over the period under review, the global market attained the maximum level in 2022 and is expected to retain growth in the near future.

Consumption By Country

The country with the largest volume of wrapping papers consumption was China (7.5M tons), comprising approx. 37% of total volume. Moreover, wrapping papers consumption in China exceeded the figures recorded by the second-largest consumer, the United States (1.9M tons), fourfold. The third position in this ranking was taken by Turkey (821K tons), with a 4% share.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual growth rate of volume in China stood at +1.3%. In the other countries, the average annual rates were as follows: the United States (-1.3% per year) and Turkey (+1.5% per year).

In value terms, China ($13.2B) led the market, alone. The second position in the ranking was held by the United States ($1.8B). It was followed by Italy.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual growth rate of value in China totaled +1.1%. The remaining consuming countries recorded the following average annual rates of market growth: the United States (-1.1% per year) and Italy (+5.1% per year).

The countries with the highest levels of wrapping papers per capita consumption in 2022 were Poland (14 kg per person), Italy (14 kg per person) and Turkey (9.6 kg per person).

From 2012 to 2022, the biggest increases were recorded for Poland (with a CAGR of +7.1%), while consumption for the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Production

World Production of Wrapping Paper, Packaging Paper and Paperboard

In 2022, production of wrapping paper, packaging paper and paperboard increased by 0.4% to 20M tons, rising for the second consecutive year after two years of decline. Over the period under review, production showed a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2021 with an increase of 9.2%. Over the period under review, global production attained the peak volume in 2022 and is likely to see steady growth in the immediate term.

In value terms, wrapping papers production contracted to $27.1B in 2022 estimated in export price. In general, production recorded a relatively flat trend pattern. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2017 when the production volume increased by 25% against the previous year. Global production peaked at $28.7B in 2021, and then contracted in the following year.

Production By Country

The country with the largest volume of wrapping papers production was China (7.3M tons), comprising approx. 37% of total volume. Moreover, wrapping papers production in China exceeded the figures recorded by the second-largest producer, the United States (2.4M tons), threefold. Sweden (1M tons) ranked third in terms of total production with a 5% share.

In China, wrapping papers production increased at an average annual rate of +1.3% over the period from 2012-2022. The remaining producing countries recorded the following average annual rates of production growth: the United States (-1.5% per year) and Sweden (-0.0% per year).

Imports

World Imports of Wrapping Paper, Packaging Paper and Paperboard

In 2022, after two years of growth, there was decline in supplies from abroad of wrapping paper, packaging paper and paperboard, when their volume decreased by -3.4% to 11M tons. The total import volume increased at an average annual rate of +2.6% from 2012 to 2022; the trend pattern remained relatively stable, with only minor fluctuations being observed in certain years. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2020 with an increase of 7%. Over the period under review, global imports hit record highs at 11M tons in 2021, and then declined modestly in the following year.

In value terms, wrapping papers imports soared to $14.2B in 2022. The total import value increased at an average annual rate of +4.2% from 2012 to 2022; the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded in certain years. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2021 when imports increased by 20%. Global imports peaked in 2022 and are likely to see gradual growth in years to come.

Imports By Country

In 2022, Germany (962K tons), followed by Mexico (579K tons), the United States (568K tons), China (567K tons), Italy (565K tons) and Poland (523K tons) represented the largest importers of wrapping paper, packaging paper and paperboard, together making up 36% of total imports. Canada (394K tons), France (332K tons), the Netherlands (324K tons), Turkey (310K tons), Spain (307K tons), Belgium (297K tons) and Slovenia (250K tons) followed a long way behind the leaders.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of purchases, amongst the main importing countries, was attained by Slovenia (with a CAGR of +26.0%), while imports for the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, the largest wrapping papers importing markets worldwide were Germany ($1.3B), the United States ($1.1B) and Italy ($796M), with a combined 22% share of global imports. Mexico, Poland, China, Canada, France, Spain, the Netherlands, Turkey, Belgium and Slovenia lagged somewhat behind, together comprising a further 35%.

Among the main importing countries, Slovenia, with a CAGR of +28.1%, recorded the highest growth rate of the value of imports, over the period under review, while purchases for the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Imports By Type

The products with the highest levels of wrapping papers imports in 2022 were unbleached sack kraft paper, uncoated, in rolls of a width > 36 cm (2.6M tons), paper and paperboard, corrugated (with or without glued flat surface sheets), creped, crinkled, embossed or perforated, in rolls or sheets other than those of heading no. 4803 or 4818 (1.9M tons), kraft paper and paperboard; uncoated, unbleached, weight 150g/m2 or less, in rolls or sheets, other than that of heading no. 4802 or 4803 (1.5M tons), kraft paper and paperboard; uncoated, bleached, weight 150g/m2 or less, in rolls or sheets, other than that of heading no. 4802 or 4803 (1.4M tons), paper; glassine and other glazed transparent or translucent papers, in rolls or sheets (1M tons), paper and paperboard, coated on one or both sides with kaolin "china clay" or other inorganic substances, with or without a binder, and with no other coating, whether or not surface-coloured, surface-decorated or printed, in rolls or in square or rectangular sheets, of any size (0.7M tons) and sack kraft paper, uncoated, in rolls of a width > 36 cm (0.6M tons), together recording 93% of total import.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of purchases, amongst the main imported products, was attained by paper; greaseproof papers, in rolls or sheets (with a CAGR of +6.0%), while imports for the other products experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, the largest types of imported wrapping paper, packaging paper and paperboard were unbleached sack kraft paper, uncoated, in rolls of a width > 36 cm ($3B), paper and paperboard, corrugated (with or without glued flat surface sheets), creped, crinkled, embossed or perforated, in rolls or sheets other than those of heading no. 4803 or 4818 ($2.5B) and kraft paper and paperboard; uncoated, bleached, weight 150g/m2 or less, in rolls or sheets, other than that of heading no. 4802 or 4803 ($1.9B), with a combined 52% share of global imports. Paper; glassine and other glazed transparent or translucent papers, in rolls or sheets, kraft paper and paperboard; uncoated, unbleached, weight 150g/m2 or less, in rolls or sheets, other than that of heading no. 4802 or 4803, paper and paperboard, coated on one or both sides with kaolin "china clay" or other inorganic substances, with or without a binder, and with no other coating, whether or not surface-coloured, surface-decorated or printed, in rolls or in square or rectangular sheets, of any size, sack kraft paper, uncoated, in rolls of a width > 36 cm, paper; greaseproof papers, in rolls or sheets, kraft paper and paperboard, bleached uniformly throughout the mass and containing > 95% chemically processed wood fibres by weight in relation to the total fibre content, coated on one or both sides with kaolin or other inorganic substances, in rolls or in square or rectangular sheets, of any size, weighing <= 150 g/m² , paper; vegetable parchment, in rolls or sheets and sulphite wrapping paper lagged somewhat behind, together comprising a further 48%.

In terms of the main imported products, paper; glassine and other glazed transparent or translucent papers, in rolls or sheets, with a CAGR of +7.4%, recorded the highest growth rate of the value of imports, over the period under review, while purchases for the other products experienced more modest paces of growth.

Import Prices By Type

In 2022, the average wrapping papers import price amounted to $1,355 per ton, picking up by 20% against the previous year. Over the last decade, it increased at an average annual rate of +1.5%. As a result, import price attained the peak level and is likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

There were significant differences in the average prices amongst the major imported products. In 2022, the product with the highest price was paper; vegetable parchment, in rolls or sheets ($3,308 per ton), while the price for unbleached sack kraft paper, uncoated, in rolls of a width > 36 cm ($1,154 per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by paper and paperboard; coated with inorganic substances only, whether or not surface-coloured, surface-decorated or printed, n.e.s. in heading no. 4810, in rolls or sheets (+2.3%), while the other products experienced more modest paces of growth.

Import Prices By Country

The average wrapping papers import price stood at $1,355 per ton in 2022, picking up by 20% against the previous year. Over the period from 2012 to 2022, it increased at an average annual rate of +1.5%. As a result, import price reached the peak level and is likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

Prices varied noticeably by country of destination: amid the top importers, the country with the highest price was the United States ($1,885 per ton), while China ($1,038 per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Canada (+3.4%), while the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Exports

World Exports of Wrapping Paper, Packaging Paper and Paperboard

In 2022, shipments abroad of wrapping paper, packaging paper and paperboard decreased by -3.4% to 10M tons for the first time since 2019, thus ending a two-year rising trend. The total export volume increased at an average annual rate of +3.0% over the period from 2012 to 2022; the trend pattern remained relatively stable, with only minor fluctuations being recorded in certain years. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2020 when exports increased by 11%. The global exports peaked at 11M tons in 2021, and then contracted slightly in the following year.

In value terms, wrapping papers exports expanded rapidly to $13.9B in 2022. Overall, total exports indicated a tangible increase from 2012 to 2022: its value increased at an average annual rate of +4.8% 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 +36.6% against 2020 indices. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2021 with an increase of 21%. The global exports peaked in 2022 and are expected to retain growth in the immediate term.

Exports By Country

The biggest shipments were from Germany (1,143K tons), the United States (1,019K tons), Sweden (973K tons), the Czech Republic (680K tons), Austria (514K tons), Russia (469K tons), France (468K tons), Finland (354K tons), China (343K tons), Canada (334K tons), Spain (332K tons) and Italy (312K tons), together resulting at 68% of total export. Japan (276K tons) followed a long way behind the leaders.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of shipments, amongst the key exporting countries, was attained by China (with a CAGR of +10.7%), while the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, the largest wrapping papers supplying countries worldwide were Germany ($1.7B), Sweden ($1.3B) and the United States ($1.3B), together accounting for 31% of global exports.

Germany, with a CAGR of +11.8%, recorded the highest growth rate of the value of exports, among the main exporting countries over the period under review, while shipments for the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Exports By Type

In 2022, unbleached sack kraft paper, uncoated, in rolls of a width > 36 cm (2.8M tons), distantly followed by paper and paperboard, corrugated (with or without glued flat surface sheets), creped, crinkled, embossed or perforated, in rolls or sheets other than those of heading no. 4803 or 4818 (1.7M tons), kraft paper and paperboard; uncoated, bleached, weight 150g/m2 or less, in rolls or sheets, other than that of heading no. 4802 or 4803 (1.4M tons), kraft paper and paperboard; uncoated, unbleached, weight 150g/m2 or less, in rolls or sheets, other than that of heading no. 4802 or 4803 (1.4M tons), paper; glassine and other glazed transparent or translucent papers, in rolls or sheets (1M tons), sack kraft paper, uncoated, in rolls of a width > 36 cm (0.6M tons) and paper and paperboard, coated on one or both sides with kaolin "china clay" or other inorganic substances, with or without a binder, and with no other coating, whether or not surface-coloured, surface-decorated or printed, in rolls or in square or rectangular sheets, of any size (0.5M tons) were the main types of wrapping paper, packaging paper and paperboard, together generating 94% of total exports.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of shipments, amongst the leading exported products, was attained by paper; greaseproof papers, in rolls or sheets (with a CAGR of +5.6%), while the other products experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, the largest types of exported wrapping paper, packaging paper and paperboard were unbleached sack kraft paper, uncoated, in rolls of a width > 36 cm ($3.1B), paper and paperboard, corrugated (with or without glued flat surface sheets), creped, crinkled, embossed or perforated, in rolls or sheets other than those of heading no. 4803 or 4818 ($2.5B) and kraft paper and paperboard; uncoated, bleached, weight 150g/m2 or less, in rolls or sheets, other than that of heading no. 4802 or 4803 ($2.1B), with a combined 55% share of global exports. Paper; glassine and other glazed transparent or translucent papers, in rolls or sheets, kraft paper and paperboard; uncoated, unbleached, weight 150g/m2 or less, in rolls or sheets, other than that of heading no. 4802 or 4803, paper; greaseproof papers, in rolls or sheets, sack kraft paper, uncoated, in rolls of a width > 36 cm, paper and paperboard, coated on one or both sides with kaolin "china clay" or other inorganic substances, with or without a binder, and with no other coating, whether or not surface-coloured, surface-decorated or printed, in rolls or in square or rectangular sheets, of any size, kraft paper and paperboard, bleached uniformly throughout the mass and containing > 95% chemically processed wood fibres by weight in relation to the total fibre content, coated on one or both sides with kaolin or other inorganic substances, in rolls or in square or rectangular sheets, of any size, weighing <= 150 g/m² , paper; vegetable parchment, in rolls or sheets and sulphite wrapping paper lagged somewhat behind, together comprising a further 45%.

Paper; greaseproof papers, in rolls or sheets, with a CAGR of +7.0%, recorded the highest rates of growth with regard to the value of exports, among the main exported products over the period under review, while shipments for the other products experienced more modest paces of growth.

Export Prices By Type

The average wrapping papers export price stood at $1,368 per ton in 2022, increasing by 17% against the previous year. Over the period from 2012 to 2022, it increased at an average annual rate of +1.7%. As a result, the export price reached the peak level and is likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

Prices varied noticeably by the product type; the product with the highest price was paper; vegetable parchment, in rolls or sheets ($3,460 per ton), while the average price for exports of unbleached sack kraft paper, uncoated, in rolls of a width > 36 cm ($1,117 per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by paper and paperboard, corrugated (with or without glued flat surface sheets), creped, crinkled, embossed or perforated, in rolls or sheets other than those of heading no. 4803 or 4818 (+3.0%), while the other products experienced more modest paces of growth.

Export Prices By Country

In 2022, the average wrapping papers export price amounted to $1,368 per ton, surging by 17% against the previous year. Over the last decade, it increased at an average annual rate of +1.7%. As a result, the export price attained the peak level and is likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

Prices varied noticeably by country of origin: amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was France ($1,931 per ton), while Russia ($933 per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Canada (+3.1%), while the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Market Intelligence Platform