Handmade Paper Market

Driven by increasing demand worldwide, the handmade paper and paperboard market is expected to see positive growth from 2022 to 2030. The United States leads in both consumption and production, with significant growth rates. Import and export data show fluctuations in volume and value, with varying prices across different countries. Expectations for continued growth in the market are positive, with some countries experiencing rapid advances in market size and value.

Market Forecast

Driven by increasing demand for handmade paper and paperboard worldwide, the market is expected to continue an upward consumption trend over the next eight years. Market performance is forecast to decelerate, expanding with an anticipated CAGR of +2.6% for the period from 2022 to 2030, which is projected to bring the market volume to 5.5M tons by the end of 2030.

In value terms, the market is forecast to increase with an anticipated CAGR of +3.2% for the period from 2022 to 2030, which is projected to bring the market value to $24.5B (in nominal prices) by the end of 2030.

Consumption

World Consumption of Handmade Paper And Paperboard

In 2022, approx. 4.5M tons of handmade paper and paperboard were consumed worldwide; shrinking by -3.4% on the previous year's figure. Over the period under review, the total consumption indicated a notable expansion from 2012 to 2022: its volume increased at an average annual rate of +3.7% over the last decade. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2022 figures, consumption increased by +3.1% against 2020 indices. Global consumption peaked at 4.7M tons in 2021, and then declined in the following year.

The global handmade paper market value reduced modestly to $19B in 2022, shrinking by -2.9% 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 +2.8% over the period from 2012 to 2022; however, the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Over the period under review, the global market hit record highs at $19.5B in 2021, and then fell modestly in the following year.

Consumption By Country

The United States (1.8M tons) constituted the country with the largest volume of handmade paper consumption, comprising approx. 39% of total volume. Moreover, handmade paper consumption in the United States exceeded the figures recorded by the second-largest consumer, China (650K tons), threefold. The third position in this ranking was held by India (243K tons), with a 5.4% share.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual growth rate of volume in the United States stood at +7.7%. In the other countries, the average annual rates were as follows: China (+1.3% per year) and India (+4.4% per year).

In value terms, the largest handmade paper markets worldwide were China ($3.7B), the United States ($2.8B) and Brazil ($2.6B), with a combined 48% share of the global market.

The United States, with a CAGR of +7.9%, recorded the highest growth rate of market size among the main consuming countries over the period under review, while market for the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In 2022, the highest levels of handmade paper per capita consumption was registered in the United States (5,263 kg per 1000 persons), followed by France (1,101 kg per 1000 persons), Germany (963 kg per 1000 persons) and Japan (855 kg per 1000 persons), while the world average per capita consumption of handmade paper was estimated at 571 kg per 1000 persons.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual rate of growth in terms of the handmade paper per capita consumption in the United States totaled +7.0%. In the other countries, the average annual rates were as follows: France (+4.4% per year) and Germany (-1.1% per year).

Production

World Production of Handmade Paper And Paperboard

In 2022, global production of handmade paper and paperboard reduced slightly to 4.5M tons, waning by -3.6% against the previous year. Overall, the total production indicated a temperate increase from 2012 to 2022: its volume increased at an average annual rate of +3.8% over the last decade. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2022 figures, production increased by +3.3% against 2020 indices. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2017 with an increase of 30%. Over the period under review, global production attained the peak volume at 4.7M tons in 2021, and then contracted slightly in the following year.

In value terms, handmade paper production contracted modestly to $19.1B in 2022 estimated in export price. The total output value increased at an average annual rate of +3.1% over the period from 2012 to 2022; however, the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded in certain years. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2017 with an increase of 15% against the previous year. Global production peaked at $19.8B in 2021, and then fell slightly in the following year.

Production By Country

The United States (1.8M tons) constituted the country with the largest volume of handmade paper production, accounting for 39% of total volume. Moreover, handmade paper production in the United States exceeded the figures recorded by the second-largest producer, China (659K tons), threefold. The third position in this ranking was taken by India (248K tons), with a 5.5% share.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual growth rate of volume in the United States totaled +7.7%. In the other countries, the average annual rates were as follows: China (+1.4% per year) and India (+4.7% per year).

Imports

World Imports of Handmade Paper And Paperboard

After two years of growth, purchases abroad of handmade paper and paperboard decreased by -8.7% to 62K tons in 2022. In general, imports continue to indicate a perceptible descent. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2018 when imports increased by 18% against the previous year. Over the period under review, global imports hit record highs at 100K tons in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, imports failed to regain momentum.

In value terms, handmade paper imports stood at $113M in 2022. Overall, imports recorded a noticeable curtailment. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2018 when imports increased by 22% against the previous year. Global imports peaked at $149M in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, imports failed to regain momentum.

Imports By Country

In 2022, France (24K tons) was the main importer of handmade paper and paperboard, comprising 38% of total imports. Yemen (11K tons) ranks second in terms of the total imports with a 17% share, followed by Poland (6.6%). The Netherlands (2.2K tons), Canada (1.8K tons), Singapore (1.5K tons), Ireland (1.3K tons), the United Arab Emirates (1.2K tons), Algeria (1.1K tons), India (1K tons) and Tunisia (1K tons) took a minor share of total imports.

France experienced a relatively flat trend pattern with regard to volume of imports of handmade paper and paperboard. At the same time, Canada (+33.6%), Ireland (+26.5%), Yemen (+10.4%), Singapore (+9.7%), the United Arab Emirates (+4.0%) and Tunisia (+3.8%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, Canada emerged as the fastest-growing importer imported in the world, with a CAGR of +33.6% from 2012-2022. Algeria experienced a relatively flat trend pattern. By contrast, Poland (-4.8%), the Netherlands (-9.3%) and India (-17.6%) illustrated a downward trend over the same period. Yemen (+13 p.p.), France (+13 p.p.), Canada (+2.9 p.p.), Ireland (+2 p.p.) and Singapore (+1.8 p.p.) significantly strengthened its position in terms of the global imports, while the Netherlands and India saw its share reduced by -2.3% and -5.3% from 2012 to 2022, respectively. The shares of the other countries remained relatively stable throughout the analyzed period.

In value terms, France ($39M) constitutes the largest market for imported handmade paper and paperboard worldwide, comprising 35% of global imports. The second position in the ranking was taken by Poland ($5.8M), with a 5.2% share of global imports. It was followed by Canada, with a 3.8% share.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual growth rate of value in France amounted to +2.9%. The remaining importing countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: Poland (-0.6% per year) and Canada (+22.1% per year).

Import Prices By Country

The average handmade paper import price stood at $1,824 per ton in 2022, rising by 15% against the previous year. Over the last decade, it increased at an average annual rate of +2.1%. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2021 an increase of 16% against the previous year. Global import price peaked in 2022 and is likely to see gradual growth in the immediate term.

Prices varied noticeably by country of destination: amid the top importers, the country with the highest price was Canada ($2,295 per ton), while Yemen ($250 per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Tunisia (+4.7%), while the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Exports

World Exports of Handmade Paper And Paperboard

In 2022, the amount of handmade paper and paperboard exported worldwide dropped dramatically to 52K tons, falling by -21.2% on the previous year. Over the period under review, exports recorded a mild reduction. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2021 with an increase of 39% against the previous year. As a result, the exports reached the peak of 66K tons, and then contracted sharply in the following year.

In value terms, handmade paper exports soared to $160M in 2022. Overall, total exports indicated tangible growth from 2012 to 2022: its value increased at an average annual rate of +3.1% 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 +69.9% against 2020 indices. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2018 with an increase of 40% against the previous year. The global exports peaked in 2022 and are expected to retain growth in the near future.

Exports By Country

The biggest shipments were from China (9.6K tons), Japan (6.6K tons), India (6.1K tons), France (4.8K tons), Germany (3.8K tons), the United States (3.5K tons), the UK (3.1K tons), Egypt (2.5K tons), Saudi Arabia (2.5K tons), South Africa (2.2K tons) and Singapore (1.5K tons), together reaching 89% of total export.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of shipments, amongst the main exporting countries, was attained by Japan (with a CAGR of +40.6%), while the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, China ($67M) emerged as the largest handmade paper supplier worldwide, comprising 42% of global exports. The second position in the ranking was taken by Japan ($22M), with a 14% share of global exports. It was followed by Germany, with a 7.4% share.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual growth rate of value in China totaled +12.2%. The remaining exporting countries recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: Japan (+23.8% per year) and Germany (-6.1% per year).

Export Prices By Country

The average handmade paper export price stood at $3,076 per ton in 2022, increasing by 59% against the previous year. Overall, export price indicated a tangible expansion from 2012 to 2022: its price increased at an average annual rate of +4.3% over the last decade. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. As a result, the export 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 exporting countries. In 2022, amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was China ($7,050 per ton), while Egypt ($660 per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Germany (+6.9%), while the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Market Intelligence Platform