Paper and paperboard waste market in Central Asia

Earlier Report Observations

The paper and paperboard waste market in Central Asia opened the period at 79 171 t in 2018 before contracting to 71 271 t in 2019. This shift coincided with a global realignment of waste flows after China's ban on imports of recycled materials, which tightened export channels and increased waste management costs in the region. Concurrently, the development of a recycling industry for secondary materials in Uzbekistan laid groundwork for future utilization of paper waste.

Market volumes stabilized around 75 000 t through 2020 and 2021. A sharp expansion began in 2022, with the market growing 41% to 105 453 t, followed by a further 31% rise to 137 694 t in 2023. This surge was primarily driven by regulatory changes in Russia, including the introduction of new commodity codes that simplified the classification of waste paper as production feedstock and the implementation of an extended producer responsibility system, which mandated packaging producers to ensure waste recycling and stimulated collection infrastructure.

The growth was further supported by rising paper and board production in Russia, which increased demand for waste paper as raw material. Into 2024, measures such as subsidies for recyclers and the promotion of separate waste collection continue to support market development alongside capacity expansions at key paper mills.

Production paper and paperboard waste in Central Asia

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Top producers of paper and paperboard waste, 2017-2020

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

Central Asia's paper and paperboard waste production volume increased after two years of decline. In 2019, production reached its minimum at 38 410 tons, with a slight decline of 0.5% that year. By 2020, output rose to 38 550 tons, showing only marginal fluctuation compared to 2019.

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

In value, 2017-2020, K $ US

Central Asia's paper and paperboard waste production value declined for the third consecutive year. In 2020, output was valued at 4 887 thousand US dollars, marking a 14.6% drop from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, production decreased by 25.5%, with a compound annual growth rate of -9.3%.

Annual dynamics of production in Central Asia in value, 2017-2020, K $ US

Exports paper and paperboard waste from Central Asia

Exports in kind, t

The market exhibited volatility during the observed period. Exports reached their lowest point in 2017 and peaked in 2018, with a 3.3-fold difference between these years. In 2018, exports recorded their largest increase at 231.2%, reaching a maximum of 11 010 tons. However, 2019 saw the largest decline of 63.0%. By 2020, Central Asia's paper and paperboard waste export volume totaled 9 426 tons, representing a significant increase of 131.1% compared to the previous year.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Russia was the primary destination for Central Asia's paper and paperboard waste exports in volume terms, accounting for 49.4% of total flows.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

The market demonstrated notable volatility throughout the period. Exports hit their lowest point in 2017 and peaked in 2018, with a 3.3-fold change between these years. In 2018, exports recorded their largest increase of 228.8%, reaching a maximum value of 1 848 thousand US dollars. The following year, 2019, saw the largest decline at 67.1%. By 2020, Central Asia's paper and paperboard waste exports reached 1 195 thousand US dollars, up 96.6% year-over-year.

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

Throughout 2017-2020, Russia and Germany were the leading destinations for Central Asia's paper and paperboard waste exports in value terms, together accounting for 52.0% of total flows.

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

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

Imports paper and paperboard waste to Central Asia

Imports in kind, t

Market performance showed noticeable fluctuations during this period. Imports fell to their lowest point in 2017 and peaked in 2018, with a 1.8-fold gap between these years. In 2018, imports recorded their largest increase of 80.3%, reaching a maximum of 51 577 tons. The following year, 2019, saw the largest decline of 28.4%. By 2020, Central Asia imported 47 293 tons of paper and paperboard waste, marking a dramatic rise of 28.0% compared to the previous year.

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

During 2017-2020, Russia and China dominated Central Asia's paper and paperboard waste imports in volume terms, with a combined share of 89.7% of total flows.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

Central Asia imported 8 958 thousand US dollars worth of paper and paperboard waste in 2020, showing a robust increase of 15.1% over the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, imports grew by 22.2%, equating to an annualized rate of 6.9%. Imports peaked in 2018 at 11 824 thousand US dollars, with the largest increase that year at 61.3%. The largest decline occurred in 2019, at 34.2%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Russia and China were the principal sources for Central Asia's paper and paperboard waste imports in value terms, with their joint share reaching 92.5% of total flows.

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

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