Folding paperboard boxes market in United States of America, including Puerto Rico and US Virgin Islands

Earlier Report Observations

From 2018 to 2021, the U.S. folding paperboard box market volume grew from 7.9 million tons to 8.2 million tons, while its value increased from $22.0 billion to $26.2 billion. A sharp contraction occurred in 2022, with market volume dropping to 6.4 million tons ($19.6 billion). This decline was primarily driven by substantial increases in production costs, including average wage inflation of 14% and higher freight prices, which prompted manufacturers to invest in automation to maintain efficiency. Simultaneously, energy costs representing 16% of manufacturing expenses motivated retrofits like biomass boiler installations to reduce fossil fuel reliance.

By 2023, the market stabilized with a minor 0.4% value decrease, as the industry continued adapting to strong demand for sustainable packaging solutions fueled by consumer awareness and regulatory pressures. Manufacturers adopted automation, digital printing, and lightweight board grades to improve productivity and environmental performance. In 2024, the focus shifted towards innovations in recyclable and biodegradable materials, alongside expansion in premium packaging for luxury goods, led by major companies like International Paper and Graphic Packaging International through sustainability initiatives and capacity investments.

Production folding paperboard boxes in United States of America, including Puerto Rico and US Virgin Islands

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

After two years of growth, production of folding paperboard boxes in the United States, including Puerto Rico and the US Virgin Islands, declined. In 2020, output reached 7,861 thousand tonnes, marking a 4.8% decrease from the previous year. Production peaked in 2019 at 8,253 thousand tonnes, with the largest annual increase occurring in 2018 at 65.3%. Overall, from 2017 to 2020, production rose by 69.9%, averaging an annual growth rate of 19.3%.

Annual dynamics of production in United States of America, including Puerto Rico and US Virgin Islands in kind, 2017-2020, K t

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

The value of folding paperboard boxes production in the United States, including Puerto Rico and the US Virgin Islands, increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, production was valued at $23,773 million, reflecting a modest 1.9% rise from 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, the value grew by 90.4%, with an average annual increase of 23.9%.

Annual dynamics of production in United States of America, including Puerto Rico and US Virgin Islands in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Exports folding paperboard boxes from United States of America, including Puerto Rico and US Virgin Islands

Exports in kind, K t

Exports of folding paperboard boxes from the United States, including Puerto Rico and the US Virgin Islands, declined for the second year in a row. In 2020, exports totaled 198.9 thousand tonnes, down 13.3% from the previous year. The peak was recorded in 2018 at 235.4 thousand tonnes, which also saw the largest annual increase of 0.5%. From 2017 to 2020, exports fell by 15.1%, averaging an annual decline of 5.3%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from United States of America, including Puerto Rico and US Virgin Islands in kind, 2017-2020, K t

Between 2017 and 2020, Canada and Mexico were the dominant markets for exports in volume terms, together accounting for 84.1% of total flows. The remaining exports were distributed among various other destinations.

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

World map of product's exports from United States of America, including Puerto Rico and US Virgin Islands in kind, 2017-2020

Exports in value, M $ US

The value of folding paperboard boxes exports from the United States, including Puerto Rico and the US Virgin Islands, declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, exports were valued at $601 million, a decrease of 7.2% from the previous year. The highest value was recorded in 2018 at $654 million, which also saw the largest annual increase of 3.4%. Over the 2017-2020 period, export value dropped by 4.8%, with a compound annual growth rate of -1.6%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from United States of America, including Puerto Rico and US Virgin Islands in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

From 2017 to 2020, Canada and Mexico led in export value, together making up 82.0% of total exports. The rest was spread across a diverse range of other countries.

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

World map of product's exports from United States of America, including Puerto Rico and US Virgin Islands in value, 2017-2020

Imports folding paperboard boxes to United States of America, including Puerto Rico and US Virgin Islands

Imports in kind, K t

Imports of folding paperboard boxes into the United States, including Puerto Rico and the US Virgin Islands, fell for the second year in a row. In 2020, imports amounted to 379.7 thousand tonnes, a 5.7% drop from 2019. The highest volume was in 2018 at 443.4 thousand tonnes, which also experienced the largest annual increase of 8.6%. The largest decline occurred in 2019 at 9.2%. Overall, from 2017 to 2020, imports decreased by 7.0%, with an average annual decline of 2.4%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to United States of America, including Puerto Rico and US Virgin Islands in kind, 2017-2020, K t

Between 2017 and 2020, Canada, China, and Mexico were the primary sources for imports in volume terms. Canada accounted for 50.4% of imports, China for 25.1%, and Mexico for 7.8%, together representing 83.3% of total import flows.

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

World map of product's imports to United States of America, including Puerto Rico and US Virgin Islands in kind, 2017-2020

Imports in value, M $ US

The value of folding paperboard boxes imports into the United States, including Puerto Rico and the US Virgin Islands, declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, imports were valued at $1,276 million, down 5.0% from the previous year. The peak was in 2018 at $1,441 million, which also saw the largest annual increase of 10.0%. The largest decline occurred in 2019 at 6.7%. From 2017 to 2020, import value fell by 2.6%, averaging an annual decrease of 0.9%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to United States of America, including Puerto Rico and US Virgin Islands in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

From 2017 to 2020, Canada, China, and Mexico were the top suppliers in value terms. Canada accounted for 38.5% of import value, China for 36.6%, and Mexico for 7.3%, with their combined share reaching 82.4% of total imports.

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

World map of product's imports to United States of America, including Puerto Rico and US Virgin Islands in value, 2017-2020