Cartons, boxes and cases of corrugated paper or paperboard market in Finland

Earlier Report Observations

Between 2018 and 2020, the market for corrugated paperboard cartons and boxes in Finland showed relative stability, with market size hovering around 290 million US dollars. This period was marked by significant investments from major forest industry players like Stora Enso and Metsä Board, which expanded production capacities and acquired assets to strengthen their positions in the European market.

Market growth accelerated from 2021, peaking at 335 million US dollars in 2022. This expansion was driven by consumer awareness campaigns such as 'Ilmat pihalle,' which encouraged flattening carton packages for efficient recycling collection. Concurrently, new regulatory obligations required businesses to separately collect paper and cardboard packaging waste, boosting demand for recyclable packaging. In 2022, further tightening of waste legislation, mandating more meticulous sorting including the separation of plastic coatings, sustained market growth.

After the 2022 peak, the market size declined to 298.6 million US dollars by 2024. During this period, a new EU Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation was proposed, setting targets for increased reuse and recycling that may shape future market conditions.

Production corrugated or paperboard cartons, boxes and cases in Finland

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Finland's production of cartons, boxes, and cases made from corrugated paper or paperboard declined for the second year in a row. In 2020, output was valued at 265.6 million US dollars, down 2.1% from the previous year. Looking at the period from 2017 to 2020, production grew by 7.6%, which translates to an average annual increase of 2.5%. The highest value was recorded in 2018 at 271.4 million US dollars, with the largest year-on-year increase of 10.0% also occurring that year.

Annual dynamics of production in Finland in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

The market showed an unstable trend over the observed period. Production reached its lowest point in 2019 at 138.9 thousand tonnes, then surged to a peak of 339.2 thousand tonnes in 2020, marking a dramatic 144.2% increase from the previous year. This shift represented a 2.4-fold difference between the two years. The largest decline was recorded in 2019 at 2.2%.

Annual dynamics of production in Finland in kind, 2017-2020, K t

Exports corrugated or paperboard cartons, boxes and cases from Finland

Exports in kind, t

Export volumes displayed significant volatility during these years. The lowest level was recorded in 2017, while exports peaked in 2019 at 3,119 tonnes, creating a 1.9-fold gap between these extremes. In 2020, Finland's exports of cartons, boxes, and cases made from corrugated paper or paperboard stood at 2,412 tonnes, reflecting a sharp 22.7% drop compared to the previous year. The largest increase occurred in 2019, with a 70.9% rise.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Finland in kind, 2017-2020, t

Between 2017 and 2020, Sweden, Estonia, and Poland were the main destinations for Finland's exports of cartons, boxes, and cases made from corrugated paper or paperboard in volume terms. Sweden accounted for 37.9% of exports, Estonia for 34.1%, and Poland for 5.1%. Together, these three countries represented 77.1% of total export flows.

Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's exports from Finland in kind, 2017-2020

Exports in value, K $ US

After two consecutive years of growth, Finland's exports of cartons, boxes, and cases made from corrugated paper or paperboard declined in 2020. That year, exports were valued at 6,470 thousand US dollars, down 1.1% from 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, exports increased by 89.2%, equivalent to an average annual growth rate of 23.7%. The highest value was recorded in 2019 at 6,539 thousand US dollars, with the largest year-on-year increase of 41.8% occurring in 2018.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Finland in value, 2017-2020, K $ US

From 2017 to 2020, Sweden, Estonia, and Belgium emerged as the primary markets for Finland's exports of cartons, boxes, and cases made from corrugated paper or paperboard in value terms. Sweden accounted for 30.0% of exports, Estonia for 27.3%, and Belgium for 7.2%. Collectively, these three countries represented 64.5% of total export flows.

Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's exports from Finland in value, 2017-2020

Imports corrugated or paperboard cartons, boxes and cases to Finland

Imports in kind, t

Import volumes showed signs of volatility over the observed period. The lowest point was in 2019 at 6,703 tonnes, while imports peaked in 2020 at 19,643 tonnes, resulting in a 2.9-fold difference between these years. In 2020, imports surged by 193.0% compared to the previous year. The largest decline was recorded in 2019 at 61.5%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Finland in kind, 2017-2020, t

The structure of imports in volume terms from 2017 to 2020 was diversified, with no single country holding a clearly dominant position. Russia accounted for 17.6% of imports, Lithuania for 13.1%, and Estonia for 12.8%. Together, these three countries represented 43.6% of total import flows.

Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's imports to Finland in kind, 2017-2020

Imports in value, K $ US

In 2020, Finland's imports of cartons, boxes, and cases made from corrugated paper or paperboard were valued at 31,192 thousand US dollars, marking a sharp 30.0% increase year-over-year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, imports grew by 36.2%, with an average annual growth rate of 10.8%. The largest decline occurred in 2019 at 9.4%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Finland in value, 2017-2020, K $ US

From 2017 to 2020, there was no single dominant market for Finland's imports of cartons, boxes, and cases made from corrugated paper or paperboard in value terms. Lithuania accounted for 13.2% of imports, Estonia for 12.9%, and Sweden for 12.8%. Together, these three countries represented only 38.9% of total import flows, with many smaller partners each holding modest individual shares.

Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's imports to Finland in value, 2017-2020