Uncoated Mechanical Prices in the United States

U.S. Uncoated Mechanical Import Price in December 2021

In December 2021, the uncoated mechanical price stood at $667 per ton (CIF, US), standing approximately at the previous month. Over the period from January 2021 to December 2021, it increased at an average monthly rate of +3.3%. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in March 2021 when the average import price increased by 38% m-o-m. Over the period under review, average import prices reached the maximum at $717 per ton in September 2021; however, from October 2021 to December 2021, import prices failed to regain momentum.

Average prices varied somewhat amongst the major supplying countries. In December 2021, the highest price was recorded for prices from Norway ($688 per ton) and Canada ($665 per ton), while the price for Finland ($511 per ton) and Germany ($653 per ton) were amongst the lowest.

From January 2021 to December 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Canada (+3.5%), while the prices for the other major suppliers experienced more modest paces of growth.

U.S. Uncoated Mechanical Import Prices by Type

There were significant differences in the average prices amongst the major supplied products. In December 2021, the product with the highest price was uncoated paper and paperboard in square with one side > 435 mm or with one side <= 435 mm and the other side > 297 mm in the unfolded state ($2,221 per ton), while the price for paper & paperboard; uncoated, over 10% by weight of the total fibre content obtained by mechanical or chemi-mechanical process fibres, rolls ($700 per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From January 2021 to December 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by paper & paperboard; uncoated, over 10% by weight of the total fibre content obtained by mechanical or chemi-mechanical process fibres, rolls (+1.2%), while the prices for the other products experienced mixed trend patterns.

U.S. Uncoated Mechanical Imports

In December 2021, supplies from abroad of uncoated mechanical was finally on the rise to reach 105K tons after three months of decline. In general, imports, however, showed a slight decrease. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in June 2021 when imports increased by 19% m-o-m. Over the period under review, imports hit record highs at 131K tons in February 2021; however, from March 2021 to December 2021, imports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

In value terms, uncoated mechanical imports amounted to $70M (IndexBox estimates) in December 2021. The total import value increased at an average monthly rate of +1.7% from January 2021 to December 2021; the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded in certain months. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in August 2021 with an increase of 17% m-o-m. Imports peaked at 80K tons in September 2021; however, from October 2021 to December 2021, imports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

U.S. Uncoated Mechanical Imports by Type

In December 2021, paper & paperboard; uncoated, over 10% by weight of the total fibre content obtained by mechanical or chemi-mechanical process fibres, rolls (96K tons) was the main type of uncoated mechanical supplied to the United States, with a 99% share of total imports. It was followed by uncoated paper and paperboard in square with one side > 435 mm or with one side <= 435 mm and the other side > 297 mm in the unfolded state (1K tons), with a 1.1% share of total imports.

From January 2021 to December 2021, the average monthly growth rate of the volume of import of paper & paperboard; uncoated, over 10% by weight of the total fibre content obtained by mechanical or chemi-mechanical process fibres, rolls was relatively modest. With regard to the other supplied products, the following average monthly rates of growth were recorded: uncoated paper and paperboard in square with one side > 435 mm or with one side <= 435 mm and the other side > 297 mm in the unfolded state (+6.7% per month) and uncoated paper and paperboard; in square or rectangular sheets with one side <= 435 mm and the other side <= 297 mm in the unfolded state (+7.8% per month).

In value terms, paper & paperboard; uncoated, over 10% by weight of the total fibre content obtained by mechanical or chemi-mechanical process fibres, rolls ($68M) constituted the largest type of uncoated mechanical supplied to the United States, comprising 96% of total imports. The second position in the ranking was taken by uncoated paper and paperboard in square with one side > 435 mm or with one side <= 435 mm and the other side > 297 mm in the unfolded state ($2.3M), with a 3.3% share of total imports.

U.S. Uncoated Mechanical Imports by Country

In December 2021, Canada (90K tons) constituted the largest uncoated mechanical supplier to the United States, with a 85% share of total imports. Moreover, uncoated mechanical imports from Canada exceeded the figures recorded by the second-largest supplier, Finland (11K tons), eightfold. The third position in this ranking was held by Norway (1.6K tons), with a 1.5% share.

From January 2021 to December 2021, the average monthly rate of growth in terms of volume from Canada totaled -2.1%. The remaining supplying countries recorded the following average monthly rates of imports growth: Finland (+3.6% per month) and Norway (+20.9% per month).

In value terms, Canada ($60M) constituted the largest supplier of uncoated mechanical to the United States, comprising 85% of total imports. The second position in the ranking was held by Finland ($5.5M), with a 7.8% share of total imports. It was followed by Norway, with a 1.6% share.

From January 2021 to December 2021, the average monthly rate of growth in terms of value from Canada totaled +1.3%. The remaining supplying countries recorded the following average monthly rates of imports growth: Finland (+3.5% per month) and Norway (+23.9% per month).