Semi-chemical fluting paper market in Russia

Earlier Report Observations

The Russian semi-chemical fluting paper market volume fluctuated between 298.5 and 398.6 thousand tons from 2018 to 2024. The COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 altered demand patterns, increasing the need for packaging materials and disrupting international trade flows, which helped lift the market to 398.6 thousand tons in 2021. Concurrent logistical hurdles and payment restrictions for foreign transactions reduced imports, further supporting domestic market growth during this period.

From 2022, the imposition of sanctions and geopolitical risks drastically cut imports from Western countries, encouraging a focus on domestic production. However, this was accompanied by volatile export movements, contributing to a market decline in 2022. A shift toward higher domestic consumption, reaching 78% of production, supported a recovery in 2023. By 2024, despite a stabilization of producer prices around 26.5 RUB/sq.m following earlier inflationary peaks, increased exports and lower production pulled the market volume down to 298.5 thousand tons.

Production semi-chemical fluting paper in Russia

In kind, 2018-2021, K t

After two consecutive years of decline, Russia's production of semi-chemical fluting paper rebounded in 2021. Output reached 403 thousand tonnes, marking a significant 14.3% increase from the previous year. Looking at the broader 2018-2021 period, production overall decreased by 3.7%, with an average annual growth rate of 1.3%. The lowest production level was recorded in 2020 at 353 thousand tonnes, following the sharpest annual decline of 9.7% in 2019.

Annual dynamics of production in Russia in kind, 2018-2021, K t

Exports semi-chemical fluting paper from Russia

Exports in kind, t

Russia's exports of semi-chemical fluting paper declined for the third year in a row in 2021. Shipments totaled 3 214 tonnes, representing a substantial 40.7% drop compared to 2020. Over the four-year period from 2018 to 2021, exports plummeted by 95.1%, which translates to an average annual decrease of 63.5%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Russia in kind, 2018-2021, t

Between 2018 and 2021, Italy, Turkey, and Kazakhstan were the leading destinations for Russia's semi-chemical fluting paper exports by volume. Italy accounted for 36.8% of total exports, followed by Turkey at 7.7% and Kazakhstan at 7.4%. Together, these three markets represented 52.0% of Russia's total export volume during this period.

Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's exports from Russia in kind, 2018-2021

Exports in value, K $ US

The export market for semi-chemical fluting paper showed considerable volatility from 2018 to 2021. Exports hit their lowest point in 2020 at 1 907 thousand US dollars, before recovering to 2 242 thousand US dollars in 2021—a 17.5% increase over the previous year. The peak occurred in 2018, with the value in 2020 being 19 times lower than that high point. The most dramatic decline was recorded in 2020, when exports fell by 91.4%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Russia in value, 2018-2021, K $ US

From 2018 to 2021, Italy, Turkey, and Kazakhstan were the top markets for Russia's semi-chemical fluting paper exports by value. Italy led with a 35.1% share of total export value, followed by Turkey at 8.6% and Kazakhstan at 8.0%. Combined, these three countries accounted for 51.7% of Russia's total export revenue in this category.

Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's exports from Russia in value, 2018-2021

Imports semi-chemical fluting paper to Russia

Imports in kind, t

Russia's imports of semi-chemical fluting paper continued to decline in 2021, with volume dropping to 14 tonnes—a 14.6% decrease from 2020. Over the 2018-2021 period, imports fell dramatically by 99.7%, reflecting an average annual decline of 85.8%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Russia in kind, 2018-2021, t

Between 2018 and 2021, Belarus and Poland were the primary suppliers of semi-chemical fluting paper to Russia by volume, together accounting for 86.4% of total imports. The remaining imports were spread across various other countries, each contributing relatively small shares.

Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's imports to Russia in kind, 2018-2021

Imports in value, K $ US

In 2021, Russia's imports of semi-chemical fluting paper in value terms amounted to 21 thousand US dollars, showing a modest year-on-year decline of 1.8%. Over the 2018-2021 timeframe, import value decreased by 99%, with an average annual reduction rate of 78.5%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Russia in value, 2018-2021, K $ US

Throughout the 2018-2021 period, Belarus and Poland dominated Russia's imports of semi-chemical fluting paper by value, jointly representing 84.9% of total import flows. Other trading partners each held significantly smaller shares of the market.

Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's imports to Russia in value, 2018-2021