Market research

Paper and paperboard waste market in Sri Lanka

Release date: Mar 29, 2026

Submission: 15 minutes after payment

Research period: 2017-2025

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Earlier Report Observations

From 2018 to 2020, the domestic market for paper and paperboard waste in Sri Lanka more than doubled, reaching 62.3 thousand tons. This surge was driven by global trade shifts after China's ban on waste paper imports, which raised international paper prices and reduced export flows from Sri Lanka. Simultaneously, growing e-commerce activity increased local demand for corrugated packaging, pulling more waste paper into the domestic market.

The market contracted over 2021 and 2022, falling to 41.6 thousand tons. Pandemic-related supply chain disruptions and a severe global shortage of waste paper led to skyrocketing prices. In Sri Lanka, a foreign exchange crisis limited paper imports, while high international prices made exporting more attractive. Consequently, export volumes remained elevated, diverting material away from the local market.

In 2023, the market rebounded sharply to 67.9 thousand tons. A notable decrease in exports, combined with a rise in imports, expanded the volume of waste paper available for domestic consumption, marking a reversal from the previous two years.

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 Sri Lanka
  1. 5.1.1. Annual dynamics of production in Sri Lanka in kind, 2018-2023, K t
  2. 5.1.2. Annual dynamics of production in Sri Lanka in value, 2018-2023, $ US
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 Sri Lanka in kind, 2018-2024, K t
    2. 6.1.2.2. Dynamics of product's imports in kind to Sri Lanka 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, K $ US
    1. 6.1.3.1. Annual dynamics of product's imports to Sri Lanka in value, 2018-2024, K $ US
    2. 6.1.3.2. Dynamics of product's imports in value to Sri Lanka by countries, 2018-2024, K $ 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 Sri Lanka, 2018-2024, $ US/t
    2. 6.1.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's imports to Sri Lanka 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 Sri Lanka in kind, 2018-2024, K t
    2. 6.2.2.2. Dynamics of product's imports in kind to Sri Lanka 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, K $ US
    1. 6.2.3.1. Annual dynamics of product's imports to Sri Lanka in value, 2018-2024, K $ US
    2. 6.2.3.2. Dynamics of product's imports in value to Sri Lanka by countries, 2018-2024, K $ 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 Sri Lanka, 2018-2024, $ US/t
    2. 6.2.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's imports to Sri Lanka 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 Sri Lanka in kind, 2018-2024, K t
    2. 7.1.2.2. Dynamics of product's exports in kind from Sri Lanka 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, K $ US
    1. 7.1.3.1. Annual dynamics of product's exports from Sri Lanka in value, 2018-2024, K $ US
    2. 7.1.3.2. Dynamics of product's exports in value from Sri Lanka by countries, 2018-2024, K $ 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 Sri Lanka, 2018-2024, $ US/t
    2. 7.1.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's exports from Sri Lanka 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 Sri Lanka in kind, 2018-2024, K t
    2. 7.2.2.2. Dynamics of product's exports in kind from Sri Lanka 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, K $ US
    1. 7.2.3.1. Annual dynamics of product's exports from Sri Lanka in value, 2018-2024, K $ US
    2. 7.2.3.2. Dynamics of product's exports in value from Sri Lanka by countries, 2018-2024, K $ 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 Sri Lanka, 2018-2024, $ US/t
    2. 7.2.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's exports from Sri Lanka 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, K $ US
2. 8.2. Trade balance (Mirror Data)
  1. 8.2.1. In kind, K t
  2. 8.2.2. In value, K $ 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 Sri Lanka

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 2020, Sri Lanka produced 170.0 K t of paper and paperboard waste, maintaining stable production levels compared to 2019. The largest decline occurred in 2018 at 0.0%, while the largest increase was also recorded in 2018 at 0.0%.

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

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	-	-	-	-

Source: SHEV.io

In value, 2017-2020, K $ US

Sri Lanka's paper and paperboard waste production value declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, output was valued at 31 352 K $ US, marking a modest year-over-year decrease of 8.2%. Over the 2017-2020 period, production decreased by 19.3%, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 6.9%. The maximum value was recorded in 2018 at 39 633 K $ US. The largest decline occurred in 2019 at 13.8%, while the largest increase was in 2018 at 2.1%.

Annual dynamics of production in Sri Lanka in value, 2017-2020, K $ US

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	2.1%	(13.8%)	(8.2%)	(6.9%)

Source: SHEV.io

Exports paper and paperboard waste from Sri Lanka

Exports in kind, K t

Paper and paperboard waste export volumes from Sri Lanka declined for the third consecutive year. In 2020, Sri Lanka exported 108.2 K t, representing a robust reduction of 14.6% compared to the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports decreased by 35.2%, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 13.5%.

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

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	(12.3%)	(13.5%)	(14.6%)	(13.5%)

Source: SHEV.io

From 2017 to 2020, India served as the primary destination for paper and paperboard waste exports from Sri Lanka, consistently absorbing 90.4% of total export volumes.

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

Source: SHEV.io

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

Source: SHEV.io

Exports in value, K $ US

Paper and paperboard waste export values from Sri Lanka declined for the third consecutive year. In 2020, exports totaled 19 959 K $ US, marking a robust decrease of 21.6% compared to the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports decreased by 47.7%, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 19.4%.

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

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	(10.5%)	(25.4%)	(21.6%)	(19.4%)

Source: SHEV.io

From 2017 to 2020, India dominated paper and paperboard waste exports from Sri Lanka in value terms, accounting for 90.5% of total export flows.

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

Source: SHEV.io

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

Source: SHEV.io

Imports paper and paperboard waste to Sri Lanka

Imports in kind, K t

The market displayed volatility during the observed period. Imports reached their lowest point in 2019 at 0.0 K t and peaked in 2018 at 2.7 K t, reflecting a 961-fold difference. In 2020, Sri Lanka's paper and paperboard waste imports reached 0.6 K t, up by 20 221.6% from the previous year. The largest decline occurred in 2019 at 99.9%.

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

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	840.3%	(99.9%)	20 221.6%	25.8%

Source: SHEV.io

Throughout 2017-2020, the United Kingdom (32.9% of import volumes), Kuwait (18.6%), and the United States (14.2%) formed the core of imports, together accounting for 65.7% of total flows.

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

Source: SHEV.io

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

Source: SHEV.io

Imports in value, K $ US

The data reveals irregular changes, indicating a volatile market environment. Imports reached their lowest point in 2019 at 1 K $ US and peaked in 2018 at 478 K $ US, showing an 865-fold difference. In 2020, paper and paperboard waste imports to Sri Lanka registered 138 K $ US, representing an abrupt increase of 24 780.9% from the previous year. The largest decline occurred in 2019 at 99.9%.

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

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	1 822.7%	(99.9%)	24 780.9%	76.9%

Source: SHEV.io

From 2017 to 2020, the United Kingdom (25.6% of import values), the United States (15.8%), and South Korea (14.5%) stood out as the main sources for imports, together representing 55.8% of total flows.

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

Source: SHEV.io

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

Source: SHEV.io