Folding paperboard boxes market in the United States

Earlier Report Observations

From 2018 to 2019, the U.S. folding paperboard box market expanded, with volume rising from 7 855 thousand tonnes to 8 426 thousand tonnes. This growth occurred as the market entered a mature phase, characterized by slower production increases compared to earlier peaks. The subsequent downturn in 2020 reduced market volume to 8 042 thousand tonnes, followed by a modest recovery to 8 154 thousand tonnes in 2021.

A sharp contraction occurred in 2022, with market volume dropping to 6 396 thousand tonnes. This decline coincided with significant cost pressures, including a 14% rise in average import prices and widespread wage inflation, which squeezed manufacturing margins. By 2023, the market value decreased by approximately 0.4%, ending a multi-year growth trend. During this period, major players invested in automation to improve cost efficiency and responded to stronger demand for sustainable packaging, driven by regulatory shifts like new labeling rules for tobacco cartons and consumer preference for recyclable materials. The emphasis on sustainability and technological advancement, including digital printing, continued to shape the market into 2024.

Production folding paperboard boxes in the United States

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

After two years of growth, the production of folding paperboard boxes in the United States declined. In 2019, output reached its peak at 8 253 K t, but by 2020, it had fallen to 7 861 K t, marking a 4.8% decrease from the previous year. The most significant increase occurred in 2018, with a jump of 65.3%. Overall, from 2017 to 2020, production rose by 69.9%, translating to an annualized growth rate of 19.3%.

Annual dynamics of production in the United States in kind, 2017-2020, K t

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

The value of folding paperboard boxes production in the United States grew for the third year in a row. In 2020, output was valued at 23 773 M $ US, up 1.9% compared to 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production increased by 90.4%, which corresponds to an annualized rate of 23.9%.

Annual dynamics of production in the United States in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Exports folding paperboard boxes from the United States

Exports in kind, K t

Exports of folding paperboard boxes from the United States declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, shipments abroad totaled 198.9 K t, down 13.3% year-over-year. The highest export volume was recorded in 2018 at 235.4 K t, with a slight increase of 0.5% that year. From 2017 to 2020, exports decreased by 15.1%, averaging an annual decline of 5.3%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from the United States in kind, 2017-2020, K t

Between 2017 and 2020, Canada and Mexico dominated the export market, accounting for 84.1% of total exports in volume. The remaining exports were distributed across various other markets.

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

World map of product's exports from the United States in kind, 2017-2020

Exports in value, M $ US

The value of folding paperboard boxes exports from the United States fell for the second year in a row. In 2020, exports amounted to 601 M $ US, a 7.2% decrease from 2019. The peak value was in 2018 at 654 M $ US, which saw a 3.4% increase that year. Overall, from 2017 to 2020, exports dropped by 4.8%, with an annualized decline of 1.6%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from the United States in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

From 2017 to 2020, Canada and Mexico were the primary buyers of folding paperboard boxes from the United States, together making up 82.0% of total export value. The rest of the exports were spread across a range of other countries.

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

World map of product's exports from the United States in value, 2017-2020

Imports folding paperboard boxes to the United States

Imports in kind, K t

Imports of folding paperboard boxes into the United States decreased for the second consecutive year. In 2020, imports stood at 379.7 K t, a 5.7% drop from the previous year. The highest import volume was in 2018 at 443.4 K t, which experienced an 8.6% increase that year. In 2019, imports saw the largest decline of 9.2%. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports fell by 7%, with a compound annual growth rate of -2.4%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to the United States in kind, 2017-2020, K t

During 2017-2020, the largest suppliers of folding paperboard boxes to the United States were Canada, with 50.4% of imports in volume, China at 25.1%, and Mexico with 7.8%. Together, these three countries accounted for 83.3% of total imports in kind.

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

World map of product's imports to the United States in kind, 2017-2020

Imports in value, M $ US

The value of folding paperboard boxes imports into the United States declined for the second year in a row. In 2020, imports totaled 1 276 M $ US, down 5.0% from the previous year. The peak value was in 2018 at 1 441 M $ US, which saw a 10.0% increase that year. In 2019, imports recorded the largest decline of 6.7%. From 2017 to 2020, imports decreased by 2.6%, with an annualized decline of 0.9%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to the United States in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Over the 2017-2020 period, Canada, China, and Mexico were the leading sources of folding paperboard boxes imports by value, with shares of 38.5%, 36.6%, and 7.3%, respectively. Combined, they represented 82.4% of total import value.

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

World map of product's imports to the United States in value, 2017-2020