Kraftliner market in Sweden

Earlier Report Observations

The physical volume of the kraftliner market in Sweden fluctuated significantly between 2018 and 2024. Consumption peaked at 216 thousand tons in 2019, then declined to 181 thousand tons in 2020 before partially recovering. After a sharp drop to 152 thousand tons in 2022, the market rebounded strongly to 197 thousand tons in 2023, then saw a slight contraction to 189 thousand tons in 2024.

Market value exhibited even greater volatility, falling from $440 million in 2018 to $281 million in 2020, then surging to a high of $521 million in 2022. A sharp decline to $269 million followed in 2023, with a moderate recovery to $286 million in 2024. This value fluctuation was partly driven by price movements, with increased global kraft pulp prices from late 2023 onward contributing to higher kraftliner prices and influencing the market's monetary value in 2024.

Over the full period, the Swedish market demonstrated relative long-term stability in value terms with a slight downward trend. A growing emphasis on sustainability within Swedish corporate strategies also emerged as a contextual factor, potentially influencing demand patterns for packaging materials like kraftliner.

Production kraftliner in Sweden

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Kraftliner production in Sweden declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, output was valued at 1 250 million US dollars, marking a modest decline of 3.1% compared to 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production decreased by 4.2%, with a compound annual growth rate of 1.4%. The highest value was recorded in 2018 at 1 481 million US dollars, which represented a significant increase of 13.6% from the previous year. However, the largest decline occurred in 2019, with a drop of 12.9%.

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

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Kraftliner production in Sweden increased for the second consecutive year. In 2020, Sweden produced 1 924 thousand tonnes of kraftliner, showing a limited uptick of 4.5% compared to 2019. The lowest volume was recorded in 2018 at 1 828 thousand tonnes, which saw the largest decline of 3.1% during the period.

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

Exports kraftliner from Sweden

Exports in kind, K t

After a two-year decrease, exported kraftliner volumes from Sweden increased. In 2020, Sweden exported 1 787 thousand tonnes of kraftliner, up by 6.1% from the previous year. The lowest volume was recorded in 2019 at 1 684 thousand tonnes, with the largest decline occurring in 2018 at 2.8%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Germany, the United Kingdom, and the Netherlands formed the core group of markets for Sweden's kraftliner exports in kind. Germany accounted for 29.0% of exports, the United Kingdom for 17.8%, and the Netherlands for 12.3%. Together, these three countries represented 59.1% of total export flows.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

In 2020, cross-border shipments of kraftliner from Sweden amounted to 999 million US dollars, reflecting a slight rise of 2.4% from 2019. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 976 million US dollars, which saw the largest decline of 10.4%. The highest value was in 2018 at 1 089 million US dollars, marking the largest increase of 7.4%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Germany, the United Kingdom, and the Netherlands consistently remained the main destinations for Sweden's kraftliner exports in value terms. Germany accounted for 25.3% of exports, the United Kingdom for 19.1%, and the Netherlands for 9.5%. Collectively, these three markets represented 53.9% of total export flows.

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

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

Imports kraftliner to Sweden

Imports in kind, K t

After a two-year increase, kraftliner shipments to Sweden from abroad declined. In 2020, imports were recorded at 44 thousand tonnes, showing a solid reduction of 24.0% compared to 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, imports increased by 9.6%, with a compound annual growth rate of 3.1%. The highest volume was recorded in 2019 at 58 thousand tonnes, while the largest increase occurred in 2018 at 38.3%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Finland was the dominant supplier of kraftliner to Sweden, accounting for 71.0% of total imports in kind. Other countries shared the remaining volume.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

Foreign kraftliner supplies to Sweden declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, imports reached 30 million US dollars, representing a 28.9% drop from 2019. The highest value was recorded in 2018 at 47 million US dollars, which saw the largest increase of 63.2%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Finland was the principal market for kraftliner to Sweden, accounting for 72.5% of total imports in value terms. Other destinations formed a less significant portion of the imports.

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

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