Paper and paperboard waste market Turkey

Earlier Report Observations

The market volume for paper and paperboard waste in Turkey expanded significantly from 2 147 thousand tons in 2018 to 3 289 thousand tons in 2020. This growth was supported by increased domestic collection of waste paper and targeted recycling rates established in 2018, followed by continued progress in recycling during 2019. The COVID-19 pandemic further accelerated demand in 2020, particularly for cardboard production, as sales pace in the paper sector rose.

After a contraction to 3 116 thousand tons in 2021, when a 53% surge in European pulp prices squeezed profitability for Turkish producers, the market rebounded to 3 613 thousand tons in 2022. That recovery was fueled by several large-scale investments entering the sector, including new plants by the Prinzhorn Group, Kıvanç Tekstil, Halkalı Kağıt, and Modern Karton. In 2023, the market eased slightly to 3 510 thousand tons amid a broader upward trend in paper prices and evolving conditions in the European fiber market.

Production paper and paperboard waste Turkey

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Between 2017 and 2020, Turkey ranked as the 21st largest global producer of paper and paperboard waste.

Top producers of paper and paperboard waste, 2017-2020

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

In 2020, Turkey produced 1 800 K t of paper and paperboard waste, marking a significant 17.3% increase from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, production grew by 17.3%, with an average annual growth rate of 5.5%. The smallest change occurred in 2018, when production remained essentially flat.

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

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

In 2020, the value of paper and paperboard waste output in Turkey was 305.2 M $ US, showing a modest 7.8% decrease from 2019. From 2017 to 2020, production value declined by 10.4%, which translates to an average annual decrease of 3.6%. The largest drop was in 2018 at 7.8%, while the biggest increase came in 2019 with 5.4% growth.

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

Exports paper and paperboard waste to Turkey

Exports in kind, K t

Export volumes showed considerable volatility during the observed period. In 2017, exports reached their lowest point, then peaked in 2018 with a 2.6-fold increase. In 2020, Turkey exported 44 K t of paper and paperboard waste, representing a 51.7% decline from the previous year. The maximum volume was recorded in 2018 at 103 K t, which also saw the largest annual increase of 158.2%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports to Turkey in kind, 2017-2020, K t

From 2017 to 2020, three key markets—India, Tunisia, and Greece—collectively accounted for 79.9% of Turkey's total paper and paperboard waste exports by volume.

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

World map of product's exports to Turkey in kind, 2017-2020

Exports in value, M $ US

Export values displayed an unstable pattern throughout the timeframe. They reached their highest point in 2018 and fell to their lowest in 2020, representing a 2.8-fold difference. In 2020, the value of paper and paperboard waste exports from Turkey stood at 7.5 M $ US, a 62.1% decrease from 2019. The peak value was recorded in 2018 at 21.1 M $ US, which also experienced the largest annual increase of 138.2%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, India (53.0% of export value), Tunisia (17.5%), and Greece (11.9%) remained Turkey's primary buyers of paper and paperboard waste, together constituting 82.3% of total export value.

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

World map of product's exports to Turkey in value, 2017-2020

Imports paper and paperboard waste in Turkey

Imports in kind, K t

Import volumes exhibited irregular fluctuations, reflecting a volatile market environment. They reached their lowest point in 2018 and peaked in 2020, with a 2.1-fold difference between these years. In 2020, Turkey imported 1 533 K t of paper and paperboard waste, a 25.0% increase from 2019. The minimum volume was recorded in 2018 at 716 K t, which saw the largest annual decline of 4.0%. The most significant increase occurred in 2019 with 71.3% growth.

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

Analysis of import volumes from 2017 to 2020 reveals a broad distribution across many markets. The United Kingdom (20.3% of import volume), Iraq (13.8%), and Italy (12.4%) together accounted for 46.6% of total imports, while the remaining 53.4% came from numerous other trading partners.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

Foreign supplies of paper and paperboard waste to Turkey increased for the second consecutive year. In 2020, imports reached 187.8 M $ US, a 29.8% rise from 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, import value grew by 29.7%, equivalent to an average annual increase of 9.1%. The lowest value was recorded in 2018 at 105.8 M $ US, which experienced the largest annual decline of 26.9%. The most substantial increase occurred in 2019 with 36.8% growth.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the partner structure for import value was balanced rather than concentrated. The United Kingdom (17.5% of import value), Iraq (13.6%), and Italy (12.4%) jointly represented 43.4% of total imports, with many other countries accounting for the remaining 56.6%.

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

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