Exports In 2023, exports of recovered paper from the UK contracted to 3.4M tons, waning by -12.9% against 2022 figures. In general, exports saw a pronounced contraction. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2021 when exports increased by 27% against the previous year.
The exports peaked at 5M tons in 2015; however, from 2016 to 2023, the exports stood at a somewhat lower figure. In value terms, recovered paper exports contracted significantly to $648M (IndexBox estimates) in 2023. Over the period under review, exports saw a slight contraction.
The growth pace was the most rapid in 2021 when exports increased by 98% against the previous year. As a result, the exports attained the peak of $1B. From 2022 to 2023, the growth of the exports failed to regain momentum.
Exports by Country
India (1.1M tons) was the main destination for recovered paper exports from the UK, with a 32% share of total exports. Moreover, recovered paper exports to India exceeded the volume sent to the second major destination, Malaysia (482K tons), twofold. The third position in this ranking was held by Vietnam (439K tons), with a 13% share. From 2013 to 2023, the average annual growth rate of volume to India amounted to +16.0%.
Exports to the other major destinations recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: Malaysia (+32.1% per year) and Vietnam (+77.0% per year). In value terms, India ($194M) remains the key foreign market for recovered paper exports from the UK, comprising 30% of total exports.
The second position in the ranking was held by Malaysia ($89M), with a 14% share of total exports. It was followed by Vietnam, with a 12% share. From 2013 to 2023, the average annual growth rate of value to India stood at +12.9%. Exports to the other major destinations recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: Malaysia (+30.9% per year) and Vietnam (+70.6% per year).
Exports by Type
Paper or paperboard; waste and scrap, of unbleached kraft paper or paperboard or of corrugated paper or paperboard (1.7M tons), paper or paperboard; waste and scrap, of paper or paperboard n.e.s. in heading no. 4707 and of unsorted waste and scrap (1.4M tons) and paper or paperboard; waste and scrap, of paper or paperboard made mainly of mechanical pulp (eg newspapers, journals and similar printed matter) (161K tons) were the main products of recovered paper exports from the UK, together accounting for 98% of total exports.
From 2013 to 2023, the most notable rate of growth in terms of shipments, amongst the major product types, was attained by paper or paperboard; waste and scrap, of paper or paperboard n.e.s. in heading no. 4707 and of unsorted waste and scrap (with a CAGR of +2.4%), while the other products experienced a decline.
In value terms, recovered paper with the largest exports in the UK were paper or paperboard; waste and scrap, of unbleached kraft paper or paperboard or of corrugated paper or paperboard ($368M), paper or paperboard; waste and scrap, of paper or paperboard n.e.s. in heading no. 4707 and of unsorted waste and scrap ($226M) and paper or paperboard; waste and scrap, of paper or paperboard made mainly of mechanical pulp (eg newspapers, journals and similar printed matter) ($29M), with a combined 96% share of total exports.
Paper or paperboard; waste and scrap, of paper or paperboard n.e.s. in heading no. 4707 and of unsorted waste and scrap, with a CAGR of +1.1%, recorded the highest growth rate of the value of exports, in terms of the main product categories over the period under review, while shipments for the other products experienced a decline.
Export Prices by Country
In 2023, the recovered paper price amounted to $192 per ton (FOB, United Kingdom), waning by -19.5% against the previous year. In general, the export price, however, showed a relatively flat trend pattern. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2021 when the average export price increased by 56%.
The export price peaked at $239 per ton in 2022, and then fell rapidly in the following year. Average prices varied somewhat for the major overseas markets. In 2023, amid the top suppliers, the countries with the highest prices were Thailand ($212 per ton) and the Netherlands ($210 per ton), while the average price for exports to Germany ($160 per ton) and China ($171 per ton) were amongst the lowest.
From 2013 to 2023, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was recorded for supplies to Thailand (+2.0%), while the prices for the other major destinations experienced more modest paces of growth.
Source: https://www.indexbox.io/blog/united-kingdom-recovered-paper-exports-2023/