Corrugated paper and paperboard market in North Macedonia

Earlier Report Observations

The market for corrugated paper and paperboard in North Macedonia experienced significant volume fluctuations between 2018 and 2024. Consumption began at 13 878 tonnes in 2018, fell to 12 598 tonnes in 2019, and then recovered to 13 567 tonnes by 2021. From this peak, the market volume entered a steady downward trend, declining to 12 132 tonnes in 2024.

This trajectory was shaped by concurrent shifts in domestic output and foreign trade. Local production grew substantially, from 7 103 tonnes in 2018 to over 9 200 tonnes in the early 2020s, which helped compensate for a sustained drop in imports. Imports fell from 8 403 tonnes in 2018 to 6 040 tonnes in 2024, while exports remained active, particularly in 2019.

In value terms, the market presented a different picture, peaking at $17.0 million in 2022 before retreating to $13.9 million in 2024. This disparity highlights a period of notable price increases around 2022, which did not correspond to a rise in physical volume.

Production corrugated paper and paperboard in North Macedonia

In value, 2017-2020, K $ US

North Macedonia's corrugated paper and paperboard production increased for the second consecutive year. In 2019, output was valued at 8 128 thousand US dollars, marking a 29.5% increase compared to the previous year. From 2017 to 2019, production grew by 63.9%, which translates to an average annual growth rate of 17.9%.

Annual dynamics of production in North Macedonia in value, 2017-2020, K $ US

In kind, 2017-2020, t

North Macedonia's corrugated paper and paperboard production rose for the second year in a row. In 2019, the country produced 8 929 tonnes, representing a 25.7% increase over 2018. Over the 2017-2019 period, production expanded by 59.5%, with a compound annual growth rate of 16.8%.

Annual dynamics of production in North Macedonia in kind, 2017-2020, t

Exports corrugated paper and paperboard from North Macedonia

Exports in kind, t

The data shows irregular changes, pointing to a volatile market environment. Exports reached their lowest point in 2018 at 1 628 tonnes, then peaked in 2019 at 3 277 tonnes, reflecting a two-fold gap between these years. In 2020, exports from North Macedonia amounted to 2 164 tonnes, a sharp decline of 34.0% compared to 2019. The largest increase occurred in 2019, with a jump of 101.3%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Serbia, Albania, and Montenegro were the main markets for North Macedonia's corrugated paper and paperboard exports by volume. Serbia accounted for 54.6% of exports, Albania for 25.1%, and Montenegro for 1.1%. Together, these three countries represented 80.9% of total export flows.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

Market performance showed noticeable fluctuations during this period. Exports hit their lowest point in 2017, then reached a maximum in 2019, with a 1.9-fold difference between these years. In 2020, North Macedonia's corrugated paper and paperboard export value was 1 615 thousand US dollars, a sudden decline of 33.6% compared to the previous year. The peak value was recorded in 2019 at 2 430 thousand US dollars, with the largest increase that year at 80.2%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, the leading destinations for North Macedonia's corrugated paper and paperboard exports by value were Serbia, Albania, and Montenegro. Serbia accounted for 54.0% of export value, Albania for 25.1%, and Montenegro for 1.0%. Collectively, these three markets made up 80.1% of total export flows.

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

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

Imports corrugated paper and paperboard to North Macedonia

Imports in kind, t

North Macedonia's imports of corrugated paper and paperboard declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, the country imported 6 521 tonnes, a measured decrease of 6.1% compared to 2019. From 2017 to 2020, imports fell by 3.7%, equivalent to an average annual decline of 1.2%. The peak import volume was recorded in 2018 at 8 403 tonnes. The largest decline occurred in 2019 at 17.3%, while the largest increase was in 2018 at 24.1%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Bulgaria, Serbia, and Greece were the primary sources of corrugated paper and paperboard imports to North Macedonia by volume. Bulgaria accounted for 39.4% of imports, Serbia for 33.9%, and Greece for 25.3%. Together, these three countries represented 98.6% of total import flows.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

North Macedonia's imports of corrugated paper and paperboard decreased for the second year in a row. In 2020, the import value was 4 876 thousand US dollars, reflecting a modest decline of 7.1% compared to the previous year. The maximum value was recorded in 2018 at 7 162 thousand US dollars. The largest decline occurred in 2019 at 22.9%, while the largest increase was in 2018 at 41.2%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Bulgaria, Serbia, and Greece formed the main group of sources for North Macedonia's corrugated paper and paperboard imports by value. Bulgaria accounted for 38.4% of import value, Serbia for 33.9%, and Greece for 25.9%. Collectively, these three countries accounted for 98.1% of total import flows.

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

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