Germany's Folding Boxboard Price Slightly Decreases to $1,771 per Ton

Germany Folding Boxboard Export Price in January 2023

In January 2023, the folding boxboard price amounted to $1,771 per ton (FOB, Germany), shrinking by -4.3% against the previous month. Over the period under review, the export price, however, saw a relatively flat trend pattern. The growth pace was the most rapid in June 2022 an increase of 11% against the previous month. The export price peaked at $1,868 per ton in November 2022; however, from December 2022 to January 2023, the export prices failed to regain momentum.

There were significant differences in the average prices for the major export markets. In January 2023, the country with the highest price was the United States ($4,672 per ton), while the average price for exports to Egypt ($1,199 per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From January 2022 to January 2023, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was recorded for supplies to Austria (+2.1%), while the prices for the other major destinations experienced more modest paces of growth.

Germany Folding Boxboard Export Prices by Type

Prices varied noticeably by the product type; the product with the highest price was paper and paperboard, surface-coloured, surface-decorated or printed, coated, impregnated or covered with artificial resins or plastics, in rolls or in square or rectangular sheets, of any size (excluding bleached and weighing > 150 g/m², and adhesives) ($3,697 per ton), while the average price for exports of paper and paperboard; uncoated, weight more than 150g/m2 but less than 225 g/m2, in rolls or sheets, n.e.c. in heading no. 4805 ($953 per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From January 2022 to January 2023, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was recorded for the following types: kraft paper and paperboard; coated with kaolin or other inorganic substances only, for non-graphic purposes, n.e.s. in item no. 4810.31 and 4810.32, in rolls or sheets (+5.5%), while the prices for the other products experienced more modest paces of growth.

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Germany Folding Boxboard Exports

In January 2023, shipments abroad of folding boxboard was finally on the rise to reach 147K tons for the first time since September 2022, thus ending a three-month declining trend. In general, exports, however, recorded a relatively flat trend pattern. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in February 2022 with an increase of 35% against the previous month. As a result, the exports attained the peak of 206K tons. From March 2022 to January 2023, the growth of the exports failed to regain momentum.

In value terms, folding boxboard exports surged to $261M (IndexBox estimates) in January 2023. Overall, exports showed a relatively flat trend pattern. The growth pace was the most rapid in May 2022 when exports increased by 23% m-o-m. The exports peaked at 333K tons in September 2022; however, from October 2022 to January 2023, the exports remained at a lower figure.

Germany Folding Boxboard Exports by Type

Paper and paperboard; multi-ply, coated with kaolin or other inorganic substances only, for non-graphic purposes, n.e.c. in heading no. 4810, in rolls or sheets (67K tons), paper and paperboard; uncoated, weight more than 150g/m2 but less than 225 g/m2, in rolls or sheets, n.e.c. in heading no. 4805 (38K tons) and paper and paperboard, surface-coloured, surface-decorated or printed, coated, impregnated or covered with artificial resins or plastics, in rolls or in square or rectangular sheets, of any size (excluding bleached and weighing > 150 g/m², and adhesives) (31K tons) were the main products of folding boxboard exports from Germany, with a combined 92% share of total exports.

From January 2022 to January 2023, the most notable rate of growth in terms of shipments, amongst the major product types, was attained by paper and paperboard; uncoated, weight more than 150g/m2 but less than 225 g/m2, in rolls or sheets, n.e.c. in heading no. 4805 (with a CAGR of +5.1%), while the other products experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, the most traded types of folding boxboard in Germany were paper and paperboard, surface-coloured, surface-decorated or printed, coated, impregnated or covered with artificial resins or plastics, in rolls or in square or rectangular sheets, of any size (excluding bleached and weighing > 150 g/m², and adhesives) ($114M), paper and paperboard; multi-ply, coated with kaolin or other inorganic substances only, for non-graphic purposes, n.e.c. in heading no. 4810, in rolls or sheets ($73M) and paper and paperboard; uncoated, weight more than 150g/m2 but less than 225 g/m2, in rolls or sheets, n.e.c. in heading no. 4805 ($36M), with a combined 86% share of total exports. These products were followed by paper and paperboard, surface-coloured, surface-decorated or printed, coated, impregnated or covered with artificial resins or plastics, in rolls or in square or rectangular sheets, of any size, bleached and weighing > 150 g/m² , kraft paper and paperboard; uncoated, unbleached, weight 225g/m2 or more, in rolls or sheets, other than that of heading no. 4802 or 4803, 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 , kraft paper and paperboard; uncoated, weight 225g/m2 or more, in rolls or sheets, n.e.s. in item no. 4804.5, other than that of heading no. 4802 or 4803, kraft paper and paperboard, coated on one or both sides with kaolin or other inorganic substances, in rolls or in square or rectangular sheets, of any size (excluding that for writing, printing or other graphic purposes; paper and paperboard bleached uniformly in the mass and containing > 95% chemically processed wood fibres by weight in relation to the total fibre content), kraft paper and paperboard; uncoated, weight between 150 and 225g/m2, bleached uniformly throughout, more than 95% of total fibre content consists of chemically processed wood fibres, in rolls or sheets and kraft paper and paperboard; uncoated, weight more than 150g/m2 but less than 225g/m2, in rolls or sheets, n.e.s. in item no. 4804.4, other than that of heading no. 4802 or 4803, which together accounted for a further 14%.

Among the main product categories, kraft paper and paperboard; uncoated, unbleached, weight 225g/m2 or more, in rolls or sheets, other than that of heading no. 4802 or 4803, with a CAGR of +6.1%, recorded the highest growth rate of the value of exports, over the period under review, while shipments for the other products experienced more modest paces of growth.

Germany Folding Boxboard Exports by Country

France (24K tons), Poland (23K tons) and Italy (12K tons) were the main destinations of folding boxboard exports from Germany, together comprising 40% of total exports. The Netherlands, the UK, Belgium, Spain, the Czech Republic, Austria, the United States, Switzerland, Egypt and Mexico lagged somewhat behind, together comprising a further 40%.

From January 2022 to January 2023, the biggest increases were in Mexico (with a CAGR of +19.5%), while shipments for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, Poland ($40M), France ($33M) and Italy ($20M) appeared to be the largest markets for folding boxboard exported from Germany worldwide, together comprising 36% of total exports. the UK, the Netherlands, the United States, Belgium, Spain, Austria, the Czech Republic, Switzerland, Mexico and Egypt lagged somewhat behind, together comprising a further 40%.

Mexico, with a CAGR of +12.8%, saw the highest growth rate of 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.

Folding Boxboard Market in Europe Faces Decline in Demand and Increased Competition

The demand for folding boxboard in Europe has declined due to a combination of factors, including weaker economic growth, slower retail sales, and stronger competition. Additionally, the supply of folding boxboard in Europe has been steady, which has further impacted market pricing. While the price decrease may be seen as a concern for manufacturers, it is welcomed news for consumers who may enjoy the savings on packaging materials. Together, manufacturers and consumers alike will need to watch the market trends carefully to understand the future of folding boxboard pricing.

Source: IndexBox Market Intelligence Platform