Market research

Paper and paperboard waste market in Australia and New Zealand

Release date: Mar 29, 2026

Submission: 15 minutes after payment

Research period: 2017-2025

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File format: docx, xlsx

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"Australia and New Zealand" region includes following countries:

Australia

Christmas Island

Cocos (Keeling) Islands

Heard Island and McDonald Islands

New Zealand

Norfolk Island

Earlier Report Observations

The market for paper and paperboard waste in Australia and New Zealand contracted significantly between 2018 and 2023, with volume falling from 2.14 million tons to 1.64 million tons. This overall decline of nearly 500,000 tons was marked by a sharp drop in 2020, a partial recovery in 2022, and a renewed decrease in 2023.

The market's lowest point occurred in 2021 at 1.70 million tons, following a steep 14% reduction in 2020. While 2022 saw a modest rebound to 1.77 million tons, the downward trend resumed the following year. These movements were primarily driven by corresponding changes in domestic production and export volumes over the period.

Table of content

1. Disclaimer
2. Terms of use of the report
3. Product codes in the statistical classifications used in the report
4. Key Market Indicators and Trends
1. 4.1. Key Market Indicators
  1. 4.1.1. In kind
    1. 4.1.1.1. Production, 2018-2023
    2. 4.1.1.2. Imports, 2018-2025
    3. 4.1.1.3. Exports, 2018-2025
    4. 4.1.1.4. Market size, 2018-2023
2. 4.2. Market Trends and Factors
5. Production
1. 5.1. Production in Australia and New Zealand
  1. 5.1.1. Annual dynamics of production in Australia and New Zealand in kind, 2018-2023, K t
2. 5.2. Global production by Country, 2018-2023
  1. 5.2.1. Annual dynamics of production by macroregions in kind, 2018-2023, K t
  2. 5.2.2. Dynamics of production structure by macroregions in kind, 2018-2023
  3. 5.2.3. Annual dynamics of production by country in kind, 2018-2023, K t
  4. 5.2.4. Structure of production by countries in kind, 2018-2023
  5. 5.2.5. Dynamics of peoduction structure by countries in kind, 2018-2023
6. Imports
1. 6.1. Imports (Direct Data*)
  1. 6.1.1. Imports - Total information
  2. 6.1.2. Imports in kind, K t
    1. 6.1.2.1. Annual dynamics of product's imports to Australia in kind, 2018-2025, K t
    2. 6.1.2.2. Dynamics of product's imports in kind to Australia by countries, 2018-2025, K t
    3. 6.1.2.3. Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2018-2025
  3. 6.1.3. Imports in value, M $ US
    1. 6.1.3.1. Annual dynamics of product's imports to Australia in value, 2018-2025, M $ US
    2. 6.1.3.2. Dynamics of product's imports in value to Australia by countries, 2018-2025, M $ US
    3. 6.1.3.3. Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2018-2025
  4. 6.1.4. Average price of product's imports, $ US/t
    1. 6.1.4.1. Annual dynamics of average price of product's imports to Australia, 2018-2025, $ US/t
    2. 6.1.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's imports to Australia by countries, 2018-2025, $ US/t
2. 6.2. Imports (Mirror Data)
  1. 6.2.1. Imports - Total information
  2. 6.2.2. Imports in kind, K t
    1. 6.2.2.1. Annual dynamics of product's imports to Australia in kind, 2018-2025, K t
    2. 6.2.2.2. Dynamics of product's imports in kind to Australia by countries, 2018-2025, K t
    3. 6.2.2.3. Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2018-2025
  3. 6.2.3. Imports in value, M $ US
    1. 6.2.3.1. Annual dynamics of product's imports to Australia in value, 2018-2025, M $ US
    2. 6.2.3.2. Dynamics of product's imports in value to Australia by countries, 2018-2025, M $ US
    3. 6.2.3.3. Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2018-2025
  4. 6.2.4. Average price of product's imports, $ US/t
    1. 6.2.4.1. Annual dynamics of average price of product's imports to Australia, 2018-2025, $ US/t
    2. 6.2.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's imports to Australia by countries, 2018-2025, $ US/t
7. Exports
1. 7.1. Exports (Direct Data*)
  1. 7.1.1. Exports - Total information
  2. 7.1.2. Exports in kind, K t
    1. 7.1.2.1. Annual dynamics of product's exports from Australia in kind, 2018-2025, K t
    2. 7.1.2.2. Dynamics of product's exports in kind from Australia by countries, 2018-2025, K t
    3. 7.1.2.3. Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2018-2025
  3. 7.1.3. Exports in value, M $ US
    1. 7.1.3.1. Annual dynamics of product's exports from Australia in value, 2018-2025, M $ US
    2. 7.1.3.2. Dynamics of product's exports in value from Australia by countries, 2018-2025, M $ US
    3. 7.1.3.3. Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2018-2025
  4. 7.1.4. Average price of product's exports, $ US/t
    1. 7.1.4.1. Annual dynamics of average price of product's exports from Australia, 2018-2025, $ US/t
    2. 7.1.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's exports from Australia by countries, 2018-2025, $ US/t
2. 7.2. Exports (Mirror Data)
  1. 7.2.1. Exports - Total information
  2. 7.2.2. Exports in kind, K t
    1. 7.2.2.1. Annual dynamics of product's exports from Australia in kind, 2018-2025, K t
    2. 7.2.2.2. Dynamics of product's exports in kind from Australia by countries, 2018-2025, K t
    3. 7.2.2.3. Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2018-2025
  3. 7.2.3. Exports in value, M $ US
    1. 7.2.3.1. Annual dynamics of product's exports from Australia in value, 2018-2025, M $ US
    2. 7.2.3.2. Dynamics of product's exports in value from Australia by countries, 2018-2025, M $ US
    3. 7.2.3.3. Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2018-2025
  4. 7.2.4. Average price of product's exports, $ US/t
    1. 7.2.4.1. Annual dynamics of average price of product's exports from Australia, 2018-2025, $ US/t
    2. 7.2.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's exports from Australia by countries, 2018-2025, $ US/t
8. Trade balance
1. 8.1. Trade balance (Direct Data)
  1. 8.1.1. In kind, K t
  2. 8.1.2. In value, M $ US
2. 8.2. Trade balance (Mirror Data)
  1. 8.2.1. In kind, K t
  2. 8.2.2. In value, M $ US
9. Top buying and selling countries, 2018-2025
1. 9.1. Direct Data
  1. 9.1.1. Import in Value by Countries-buyers
  2. 9.1.2. Export in Value by Countries-suppliers
2. 9.2. Mirror Data
  1. 9.2.1. Import in Value by Countries-buyers
  2. 9.2.2. Export in Value by Countries-suppliers

Production paper and paperboard waste in Australia and New Zealand

In kind, 2018-2021, K t

Top producers of paper and paperboard waste, 2018-2021

Source: SHEV.io

World map of production of paper and paperboard waste, 2018-2021

Source: SHEV.io

Paper and paperboard waste production in Australia and New Zealand declined for the third consecutive year. In 2021, production reached 3 057 K t, remaining broadly stable compared to the previous year. Between 2018 and 2021, production decreased by 15.2%, which translates to an annualized decline rate of 5.3%.

Annual dynamics of production in Australia and New Zealand in kind, 2018-2021, K t

Parameter		2019	2020	2021	CAGR
1	Change from last year	(4.0%)	(11.4%)	(0.3%)	(5.3%)

Source: SHEV.io

Exports paper and paperboard waste from Australia and New Zealand

Exports in kind, K t

After two years of contraction, Australia and New Zealand's paper and paperboard waste export volume increased in 2021. Exports totaled 1 364 K t, representing a 7.0% year-over-year gain. Between 2018 and 2021, exports decreased by 7.5%, equivalent to an annualized decline of 2.6%. The lowest export volume was recorded in 2020 at 1 275 K t, while the largest decline occurred in 2019 at 7.4%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Australia and New Zealand in kind, 2018-2021, K t

Parameter		2019	2020	2021	CAGR
1	Change from last year	(7.4%)	(6.6%)	7.0%	(2.6%)

Source: SHEV.io

From 2018 to 2021, Indonesia, China, and India were the main buyers of paper and paperboard waste from Australia and New Zealand. Indonesia accounted for 35.5% of exports in kind, China for 20.8%, and India for 12.9%. Together, these three countries comprised 69.2% of total exports in kind.

Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2018-2021

Source: SHEV.io

World map of product's exports from Australia and New Zealand in kind, 2018-2021

Source: SHEV.io

Exports in value, M $ US

Market performance showed noticeable fluctuations during the period. The lowest export value was recorded in 2020 at 140.8 M $ US, while the highest was reached in 2021 at 256.0 M $ US, reflecting a 1.8-fold gap. In 2021, exports surged by 81.9% compared to the previous year. The largest decline occurred in 2019 at 29.9%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Australia and New Zealand in value, 2018-2021, M $ US

Parameter		2019	2020	2021	CAGR
1	Change from last year	(29.9%)	(9.4%)	81.9%	4.9%

Source: SHEV.io

Between 2018 and 2021, Indonesia, China, and India led the structure of exports in value terms. Indonesia represented 39.5% of exports, China 21.0%, and India 11.6%. Collectively, these three markets accounted for 72.0% of total export flows.

Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2018-2021

Source: SHEV.io

World map of product's exports from Australia and New Zealand in value, 2018-2021

Source: SHEV.io

Imports paper and paperboard waste to Australia and New Zealand

Imports in kind, K t

Paper and paperboard waste imports to Australia and New Zealand declined for the second consecutive year. In 2021, import volume amounted to 2 K t, down by 59.8% compared to 2020. Over the 2018-2021 period, imports decreased by 77.6%, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of -39.2%. The highest import volume was recorded in 2019 at 9 K t, while the largest increase occurred in 2019 at 2.1%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Australia and New Zealand in kind, 2018-2021, K t

Parameter		2019	2020	2021	CAGR
1	Change from last year	2.1%	(45.4%)	(59.8%)	(39.2%)

Source: SHEV.io

From 2018 to 2021, three main markets—French Polynesia, Fiji, and the United States—together absorbed 64.8% of total paper and paperboard waste imports in kind to Australia and New Zealand.

Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2018-2021

Source: SHEV.io

World map of product's imports to Australia and New Zealand in kind, 2018-2021

Source: SHEV.io

Imports in value, M $ US

Paper and paperboard waste imports to Australia and New Zealand declined for the second consecutive year. In 2021, imports amounted to 0.4 M $ US, marking a steep reduction of 45.8% year-over-year. Over the 2018-2021 period, imports decreased by 71%, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of -33.8%. The highest import value was recorded in 2019 at 1.6 M $ US. The largest decline occurred in 2020 at 50.6%, while the largest increase was in 2019 at 8.3%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Australia and New Zealand in value, 2018-2021, M $ US

Parameter		2019	2020	2021	CAGR
1	Change from last year	8.3%	(50.6%)	(45.8%)	(33.8%)

Source: SHEV.io

Throughout 2018-2021, French Polynesia, the United States, and Singapore were the main markets for paper and paperboard waste imports in value terms to Australia and New Zealand. French Polynesia accounted for 30.8% of imports, the United States for 16.8%, and Singapore for 12.0%. Together, these three markets represented 59.7% of total import flows.

Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2018-2021

Source: SHEV.io

World map of product's imports to Australia and New Zealand in value, 2018-2021

Source: SHEV.io