In July 2023, after two months of growth, there was significant decline in purchases abroad of paper and paperboard (creped, crinkled, embossed or perforated), when their volume decreased by -15.6% to 380 tons. In general, total imports indicated a pronounced increase from July 2022 to July 2023: its volume increased at an average monthly rate of +2.5% over the last twelve months. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period.
Based on July 2023 figures, imports increased by +35.8% against April 2023 indices. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in January 2023 with an increase of 142% month-to-month. In value terms, paper and paperboard imports contracted to $1.1M (IndexBox estimates) in July 2023. Over the period under review, total imports indicated tangible growth from July 2022 to July 2023: its value increased at an average monthly rate of +2.4% over the last twelve months. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on July 2023 figures, imports increased by +21.8% against April 2023 indices. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in August 2022 when imports increased by 79% m-o-m. As a result, imports attained the peak of $1.5M. From September 2022 to July 2023, the growth of imports failed to regain momentum.
Imports by Country
Italy (163 tons), France (104 tons) and Portugal (35 tons) were the main suppliers of paper and paperboard imports to Spain, with a combined 79% share of total imports. From July 2022 to July 2023, the biggest increases were in France (with a CAGR of +8.0%), while purchases for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth. In value terms, Italy ($581K) constituted the largest supplier of paper and paperboard to Spain, comprising 51% of total imports. The second position in the ranking was held by Germany ($174K), with a 15% share of total imports. It was followed by France, with a 12% share.
From July 2022 to July 2023, the average monthly rate of growth in terms of value from Italy totaled +5.5%. The remaining supplying countries recorded the following average monthly rates of imports growth: Germany (+10.7% per month) and France (+5.3% per month).
Import Prices by Country
In July 2023, the paper and paperboard price stood at $3,013 per ton (CIF, Spain), with an increase of 5.7% against the previous month. In general, the import price, however, showed a relatively flat trend pattern.
The pace of growth was the most pronounced in December 2022 when the average import price increased by 45% against the previous month. The import price peaked at $3,878 per ton in August 2022; however, from September 2022 to July 2023, import prices remained at a lower figure. Prices varied noticeably by the country of origin: the country with the highest price was Germany ($9,124 per ton), while the price for Poland ($1,161 per ton) was amongst the lowest. From July 2022 to July 2023, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Switzerland (+3.9%), while the prices for the other major suppliers experienced more modest paces of growth.
Source: https://www.indexbox.io/blog/spain-paper-and-paperboard-imports-july-2023/