Market research

Paper and paperboard waste market in Central America

Release date: Mar 29, 2026

Submission: 15 minutes after payment

Research period: 2017-2025

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"Central America" region includes following countries:

Belize

Costa Rica

El Salvador

Guatemala

Honduras

Mexico

Nicaragua

Panama

Earlier Report Observations

The market for paper and paperboard waste in Central America showed notable variability from 2018 to 2023. Volume contracted slightly in 2019 before rebounding and growing steadily over the next three years, peaking at 6.9 million tons in 2022.

The expansion reversed sharply in 2023, with market size dropping 7% to 6.4 million tons. This decline occurred alongside significant inflationary pressures in the region's personal care paper sector, where rising prices for products like toilet paper and disposable diapers in Costa Rica dampened consumer demand and likely reduced the flow of related waste material.

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, 2018-2024
    3. 4.1.1.3. Exports, 2018-2024
    4. 4.1.1.4. Market size, 2018-2023
2. 4.2. Market Trends and Factors
5. Production
1. 5.1. Production in Central America
  1. 5.1.1. Annual dynamics of production in Central America 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 Belize in kind, 2018-2024, K t
    2. 6.1.2.2. Dynamics of product's imports in kind to Belize by countries, 2018-2024, K t
    3. 6.1.2.3. Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2018-2024
  3. 6.1.3. Imports in value, M $ US
    1. 6.1.3.1. Annual dynamics of product's imports to Belize in value, 2018-2024, M $ US
    2. 6.1.3.2. Dynamics of product's imports in value to Belize by countries, 2018-2024, M $ US
    3. 6.1.3.3. Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2018-2024
  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 Belize, 2018-2024, $ US/t
    2. 6.1.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's imports to Belize by countries, 2018-2024, $ 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 Belize in kind, 2018-2024, K t
    2. 6.2.2.2. Dynamics of product's imports in kind to Belize by countries, 2018-2024, K t
    3. 6.2.2.3. Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2018-2024
  3. 6.2.3. Imports in value, M $ US
    1. 6.2.3.1. Annual dynamics of product's imports to Belize in value, 2018-2024, M $ US
    2. 6.2.3.2. Dynamics of product's imports in value to Belize by countries, 2018-2024, M $ US
    3. 6.2.3.3. Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2018-2024
  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 Belize, 2018-2024, $ US/t
    2. 6.2.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's imports to Belize by countries, 2018-2024, $ 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 Belize in kind, 2018-2024, K t
    2. 7.1.2.2. Dynamics of product's exports in kind from Belize by countries, 2018-2024, K t
    3. 7.1.2.3. Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2018-2024
  3. 7.1.3. Exports in value, M $ US
    1. 7.1.3.1. Annual dynamics of product's exports from Belize in value, 2018-2024, M $ US
    2. 7.1.3.2. Dynamics of product's exports in value from Belize by countries, 2018-2024, M $ US
    3. 7.1.3.3. Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2018-2024
  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 Belize, 2018-2024, $ US/t
    2. 7.1.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's exports from Belize by countries, 2018-2024, $ 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 Belize in kind, 2018-2024, K t
    2. 7.2.2.2. Dynamics of product's exports in kind from Belize by countries, 2018-2024, K t
    3. 7.2.2.3. Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2018-2024
  3. 7.2.3. Exports in value, M $ US
    1. 7.2.3.1. Annual dynamics of product's exports from Belize in value, 2018-2024, M $ US
    2. 7.2.3.2. Dynamics of product's exports in value from Belize by countries, 2018-2024, M $ US
    3. 7.2.3.3. Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2018-2024
  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 Belize, 2018-2024, $ US/t
    2. 7.2.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's exports from Belize by countries, 2018-2024, $ 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, 2018-2024
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 Central America

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of paper and paperboard waste, 2017-2020

Source: SHEV.io

World map of production of paper and paperboard waste, 2017-2020

Source: SHEV.io

In 2018, paper and paperboard waste production in Central America reached its peak at 5 135 K t, marking a 3.3% increase. The following year, 2019, saw the largest decline of 3.6%, with output dropping to 4 948 K t, the lowest level in the period. In 2020, production showed a modest recovery, rising by 0.7% to 4 981 K t.

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

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	3.3%	(3.6%)	0.7%	0.1%

Source: SHEV.io

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Paper and paperboard waste production in Central America has been declining for three consecutive years. In 2020, the output was valued at 671.3 M $ US, down by 3.9% from the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production fell by 28.8%, which translates to an annualized decrease of 10.7%.

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

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	(12.3%)	(15.5%)	(3.9%)	(10.7%)

Source: SHEV.io

Exports paper and paperboard waste from Central America

Exports in kind, K t

Exports of paper and paperboard waste from Central America have decreased for two years in a row. In 2020, shipments totaled 348 K t, a decline of 9.7% compared to 2019. From 2017 to 2020, exports dropped by 34.6%, averaging an annual decrease of 13.2%. The highest export volume was recorded in 2018 at 549 K t, with a 3.3% increase that year, while the largest decline occurred in 2019 at 29.9%.

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

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	3.3%	(29.9%)	(9.7%)	(13.2%)

Source: SHEV.io

Between 2017 and 2020, the United States, Ecuador, and China were key buyers of paper and paperboard waste from Central America, accounting for 21.4%, 13.6%, and 13.0% of exports in kind, respectively. However, their combined share made up only 48.0% of total exports, with the remaining 52.0% spread across numerous other trading partners.

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

Source: SHEV.io

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

Source: SHEV.io

Exports in value, M $ US

Cross-border shipments of paper and paperboard waste from Central America have fallen for three consecutive years. In 2020, the export value stood at 46.9 M $ US, a sharp decrease of 13.8% from 2019. From 2017 to 2020, exports declined by 53.6%, equating to an annualized rate of 22.6%.

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

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	(12.4%)	(38.5%)	(13.8%)	(22.6%)

Source: SHEV.io

An analysis of export values from 2017 to 2020 reveals a broad distribution across multiple markets. The United States, China, and Ecuador accounted for 20.3%, 12.9%, and 12.0% of exports in value terms, respectively, totaling only 45.3% of the overall flows. The remaining 54.7% was distributed among various other partners.

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

Source: SHEV.io

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

Source: SHEV.io

Imports paper and paperboard waste to Central America

Imports in kind, K t

In 2020, imports of paper and paperboard waste into Central America amounted to 1 959 K t, an increase of 8.8% compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports grew by 12.6%, with a compound annual growth rate of 4.0%. The largest decline was recorded in 2019 at 6.3%, while the highest increase occurred in 2018 at 10.4%.

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

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	10.4%	(6.3%)	8.8%	4.0%

Source: SHEV.io

From 2017 to 2020, the United States was the primary source of paper and paperboard waste imports into Central America, consistently accounting for 95.5% of total imports in kind.

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

Source: SHEV.io

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

Source: SHEV.io

Imports in value, M $ US

Imports of paper and paperboard waste into Central America have declined for two consecutive years. In 2020, the import value was 387.5 M $ US, showing a slight decrease of 1.7% from 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, imports fell by 5.4%, averaging an annual decline of 1.8%. The peak import value was recorded in 2018 at 440.5 M $ US, with a 7.5% increase that year, while the largest drop occurred in 2019 at 10.5%.

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

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	7.5%	(10.5%)	(1.7%)	(1.8%)

Source: SHEV.io

During 2017-2020, the United States dominated as the main supplier of paper and paperboard waste to Central America, capturing 94.5% of total imports in value terms.

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

Source: SHEV.io

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

Source: SHEV.io