Paper and paperboard packing and office articles market in Spain

Earlier Report Observations

Between 2018 and 2020, the market for paper and paperboard packing and office articles in Spain contracted moderately, with size falling from 5 203 million US dollars to 4 972 million US dollars. During this period, underlying demand was supported by the expansion of the food and beverage industry, rising e-commerce sales, and growing consumer preference for sustainable paper and cardboard packaging. The COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 accelerated the shift to online shopping and food delivery, increasing the need for shipping boxes and paper-based food containers, which helped stabilize consumption.

A strong recovery followed from 2020 to 2022, with market size surging to 6 891 million US dollars. This growth was driven by the robust performance of the corrugated cardboard industry, which reported a 10.2% production increase in 2021, fueled by demand from the food, agricultural, and beverage sectors. Technological advances allowed a 14% reduction in paper weight without quality loss, while annual R&D investments of around 280 million euros enhanced efficiency. In April 2022, Spain approved comprehensive waste reduction regulation promoting reusable and recyclable packaging in the food sector, and major companies like Smurfit Kappa and Huhtamaki expanded production capacity for sustainable paper-based solutions. The packaging sector's turnover rose 22% in 2022, with paper and board manufacturers representing a third of the total.

From 2022 to 2024, the market contracted to 6 364 million US dollars, influenced by significant headwinds. Energy market tensions, geopolitical conflicts, rising raw material costs, falling demand, and higher labor costs led to a 4.6% drop in paper production in 2023. Although the number of packaging companies in Spain grew 8.3% that year and the trend toward eliminating rigid plastic in favor of sustainable paper packaging continued, these structural shifts were overshadowed by the broader economic pressures that reduced overall market volume.

Production paper and paperboard packing and office articles in Spain

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Spain's production of paper and paperboard packaging and office articles declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, output was valued at 5 242 million US dollars, representing a 2.3% decrease compared to 2019. Production peaked in 2018 at 5 434 million US dollars, which marked the largest annual increase of 9.1%. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, overall production grew by 5.3%, equivalent to an annualized rate of 1.7%.

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

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Spain's production of paper and paperboard packaging and office articles increased for the second consecutive year. In 2020, output reached 3 902 thousand tonnes, showing minimal change from the previous year. Production hit its lowest point in 2018 at 3 867 thousand tonnes, which saw the largest annual decline of 8.8%. The following year, 2019, recorded the largest increase of 0.6%. From 2017 to 2020, overall production decreased by 8%, with a compound annual growth rate of -2.7%.

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

Exports paper and paperboard packing and office articles from Spain

Exports in kind, K t

In 2020, Spain's exports of paper and paperboard packaging and office articles stood at 382.2 thousand tonnes, marking a modest 4.3% increase compared to the previous year. Exports peaked in 2018 at 430.2 thousand tonnes, which saw the largest annual rise of 23.4%. The following year, 2019, experienced the largest decline of 14.8%. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, exports grew by 9.6%, equivalent to an annualized rate of 3.1%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, France, Portugal, and Morocco consistently led as the top destinations for Spain's exports of paper and paperboard packaging and office articles in volume terms. France accounted for 44.3% of exports, Portugal for 22.4%, and Morocco for 6.0%. Together, these three countries represented 72.7% of total export flows.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

Spain's exports of paper and paperboard packaging and office articles increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, export value reached 662.0 million US dollars, up by 5.4% from the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, exports grew by 22.7%, equivalent to an annualized rate of 7.1%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, France, Portugal, and Morocco remained the main buyers of paper and paperboard packaging and office articles from Spain in value terms. France accounted for 44.8% of exports, Portugal for 15.2%, and Morocco for 5.5%. Collectively, these three countries formed 65.6% of total export value.

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

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

Imports paper and paperboard packing and office articles to Spain

Imports in kind, K t

After a two-year rise, Spain's imports of paper and paperboard packaging and office articles declined. In 2020, imports totaled 185.9 thousand tonnes, showing only marginal fluctuation compared to the previous year. Imports peaked in 2019 at 186.2 thousand tonnes, which recorded the largest annual increase of 26.7%. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, imports grew by 36.4%, equivalent to an annualized rate of 10.9%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Portugal, Germany, and Italy stood out as the main sources for Spain's imports of paper and paperboard packaging and office articles in volume terms. Portugal accounted for 23.9% of imports, Germany for 22.6%, and Italy for 15.8%. Together, these three countries represented 62.3% of total import flows.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

After a two-year increase, Spain's imports of paper and paperboard packaging and office articles declined. In 2020, import value totaled 392.4 million US dollars, showing minimal year-on-year change. Imports peaked in 2019 at 393.1 million US dollars, while the largest annual increase occurred in 2018 at 5.6%. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, imports grew by 7.5%, with a compound annual growth rate of 2.5%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Germany, Portugal, and France were the primary suppliers of paper and paperboard packaging and office articles to Spain in value terms. Germany accounted for 26.6% of imports, Portugal for 14.5%, and France for 13.8%. Collectively, these three countries accounted for 55.0% of total import value.

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

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