Paper and paperboard waste market in Vietnam

Earlier Report Observations

From 2018 to 2020, Vietnam's waste paper market volume grew from 2.5 million tonnes to 3.6 million tonnes, primarily driven by a sharp increase in imports. This expansion was fueled by the rapid growth of the domestic paper packaging industry, which shifted demand toward waste paper as raw material due to the rise of e-commerce. Imports of waste paper surged by 64.6% in 2018, reaching 2.1 million tonnes, and continued to rise as new production capacities for packaging paper, especially in southern Vietnam, came online.

After peaking in 2020, the market volume declined in 2021 and 2022, falling to 3.1 million tonnes in 2022. This downturn coincided with tighter regulations on waste paper imports, including a deposit requirement of 15–20% of shipment value under Decree 08/2022/ND‑CP, which raised capital pressure on importers. Additionally, reliance on imported raw materials from Thailand, Indonesia, and China led to price volatility and quality control issues, further constraining supply.

In 2023, the market rebounded sharply to 4.1 million tonnes, a 32% increase from the previous year. The recovery was spurred by rising global waste paper prices and a redirection of OCC supplies from the United States to China, which prompted Vietnamese importers to seek alternative sources. Meanwhile, existing free trade agreements with over 60 markets continued to support the export of Vietnamese paper products, indirectly boosting demand for waste paper as an input.

Production paper and paperboard waste in Vietnam

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of paper and paperboard waste, 2017-2020

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

In 2020, Vietnam produced 120.0 K t of paper and paperboard waste, maintaining the same level as in 2019. The largest change occurred in 2018, with both the decline and increase recorded at 0.0%.

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

Exports paper and paperboard waste from Vietnam

Exports in kind, K t

Vietnam's exports of paper and paperboard waste declined for the third consecutive year. In 2020, exports amounted to 0.2 K t, marking a sharp drop of 78.9% compared to 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, exports decreased by 95.6%, with a compound annual growth rate of 64.6%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, three principal markets—Indonesia, South Korea, and India—together accounted for 69.1% of Vietnam's total exports of paper and paperboard waste in volume terms.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

Vietnam's paper and paperboard waste export value declined for the third consecutive year. In 2020, exports totaled 0.0 M $ US, representing an abrupt decrease of 77.3% from the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, exports fell by 96.5%, equating to an annualized rate of 67.3%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Indonesia, South Korea, and India led the export structure in value terms, with shares of 47.1%, 10.9%, and 7.3%, respectively. Together, these three markets represented 65.4% of total export flows.

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

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

Imports paper and paperboard waste to Vietnam

Imports in kind, K t

Vietnam's imports of paper and paperboard waste increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, imports reached 3 485 K t, up by 25.3% year-over-year. Between 2017 and 2020, imports grew by 93.5%, with an annualized rate of 24.6%.

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

Over the period from 2017 to 2020, the United States, Japan, and the United Kingdom were the main suppliers of paper and paperboard waste to Vietnam in volume terms, accounting for 33.0%, 18.9%, and 11.0% of imports, respectively. Together, they comprised 63.0% of total imports.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

Vietnam's imports of paper and paperboard waste in value terms increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, imports amounted to 457.4 M $ US, which is 12.5% higher than the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, imports rose by 34.3%, with an annualized rate of 10.3%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the United States, Japan, and the United Kingdom made the biggest contributions to Vietnam's imports in value terms, with shares of 33.2%, 18.3%, and 11.1%, respectively. Jointly, they accounted for 62.5% of total import flows.

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

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