Paper and paperboard waste market in Thailand

Earlier Report Observations

The market volume for paper and paperboard waste in Thailand exhibited considerable fluctuation between 2018 and 2023. Starting at 4.0 million tons, it contracted to 3.6 million tons in 2019 before embarking on a strong growth trajectory that was interrupted only by a single-year decline in 2022. The period concluded with the market reaching its peak of 6.3 million tons in 2023.

The major expansion in 2021, which saw volume jump by over a third to 5.7 million tons, coincided with a period of severe price volatility for recycled paper. This volatility encouraged increased trading and import activity as market participants responded to the unpredictable cost environment for raw materials. Subsequent growth to 6.3 million tons in 2023 was propelled by the recovery of the domestic paper industry, fueled by the global sustainability trend and the robust expansion of e-commerce, which significantly boosted demand for paper packaging and the recycled fiber needed to produce it.

The market's contraction in 2022 to 5.2 million tons occurred amid continued price instability and supply chain adjustments as the industry adapted to shifting consumption patterns following the gradual subsidence of the COVID-19 pandemic's direct disruptions.

Production paper and paperboard waste in Thailand

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Thailand was one of the world's leading producers of paper and paperboard waste from 2017 to 2020, ranking 18th globally by production volume.

Top producers of paper and paperboard waste, 2017-2020

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

Paper and paperboard waste production in Thailand increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, Thailand produced 2 967 K t of paper and paperboard waste, up 2.0% year-over-year. Over the 2017-2020 period, production grew by 7.6%, with a compound annual growth rate of 2.5%.

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

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Thailand's paper and paperboard waste production value declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, output was valued at 526.9 M $ US, marking a sharp contraction of 26.6% compared to the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, production value decreased by 28.1%, equating to an annualized rate of 10.4%. The maximum value was recorded in 2018 at 738.0 M $ US, which saw the largest increase of 0.7%.

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

Exports paper and paperboard waste from Thailand

Exports in kind, K t

The market showed signs of volatility during the observed period. Exports peaked in 2018 and reached their lowest point in 2019, with a 6.6-fold difference between these years. In 2020, Thailand exported 139 K t of paper and paperboard waste, representing a steep advance of 378.2% relative to the prior year. The minimum value was recorded in 2019 at 29 K t, while the maximum was in 2018 at 193 K t. The largest decline occurred in 2019, falling by 84.9%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, China, Indonesia, and South Korea formed the core of Thailand's paper and paperboard waste exports in kind. China accounted for 41.8% of exports, Indonesia for 14.3%, and South Korea for 14.2%, together taking 70.2% of total flows.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

The market exhibited volatility over the observed period. Exports peaked in 2018 and fell to a trough in 2019, changing by 7-fold between these years. In 2020, paper and paperboard waste volumes leaving Thailand stood at 24.8 M $ US, marking a sharp uptick of 244.2% year-over-year. The minimum value was recorded in 2019 at 7.2 M $ US, while the maximum was in 2018 at 50.2 M $ US. The largest decline occurred in 2019, dropping by 85.7%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, China, South Korea, and the Philippines were the main markets for Thailand's paper and paperboard waste exports in value terms. China accounted for 39.6% of exports, South Korea for 19.6%, and the Philippines for 15.5%, together representing 74.7% of total flows.

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

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

Imports paper and paperboard waste to Thailand

Imports in kind, K t

There were noticeable fluctuations in market performance during the period. Import volumes peaked in 2017 and fell to a trough in 2019, with a top-to-bottom ratio of 2 times. In 2020, Thailand's paper and paperboard waste imports were recorded at 1 379 K t, up by 80.6% compared to the previous year. The minimum value was recorded in 2019 at 764 K t, and the largest decline occurred in 2019, falling by 45.3%.

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

Throughout 2017 to 2020, the United States, Japan, and Italy played leading roles in Thailand's paper and paperboard waste imports in kind. The United States accounted for 24.6% of imports, Japan for 17.4%, and Italy for 11.5%, jointly taking 53.5% of total flows.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

The market exhibited an unstable trend throughout the timeframe. Imports peaked in 2017 and reached their lowest point in 2019, varying by 3.5 times between these years. In 2020, Thailand imported 196.4 M $ US of paper and paperboard waste, showing a steep improvement of 106.1% year-over-year. The minimum value was recorded in 2019 at 95.3 M $ US, and the largest decline occurred in 2019, dropping by 60.4%.

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

Throughout 2017 to 2020, the United States, Japan, and Italy formed the key group of partners for Thailand's paper and paperboard waste imports in value terms. The United States accounted for 22.4% of imports, Japan for 18.4%, and Italy for 10.0%, jointly representing 50.9% of total flows.

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

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