Uncoated paper and paperboard market in Estonia

Earlier Report Observations

The volume of Estonia's uncoated paper and paperboard market showed considerable fluctuation between 2018 and 2024, moving from 14 954 t to 18 846 t. After a slight contraction in 2019, consumption entered a period of sustained growth, peaking at over 19 300 t in 2022. The market's value in US dollars mirrored this volatile trajectory, with a particularly sharp increase in 2021 and 2022.

A key driver of the market's value surge in 2022 was a 67% increase in European graphic paper prices, propelled by soaring energy costs across the continent. This price inflation significantly elevated the total market value in Estonia that year. By 2024, European market prices had stabilized after this period of volatility, which explains the concurrent rise in physical market volume to 18 846 t alongside a decrease in total market value to 10 080 thousand US dollars.

Broader industry shifts are also influencing the market, with global demand increasingly oriented toward sustainable packaging and recycled paperboard. Regulatory movements against single-use plastics are reinforcing this trend, supporting the long-term demand fundamentals for uncoated paperboard products in Estonia.

Production uncoated paper and paperboard in Estonia

In value, 2018-2021, K $ US

In 2021, Estonia's production of uncoated paper and paperboard was valued at 2,592 thousand US dollars, marking a significant decline of 31.4% compared to the previous year. Over the period from 2018 to 2021, production decreased by 29.5%, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of -11.0%. The highest value was recorded in 2020 at 3,780 thousand US dollars, which also saw the largest increase of 14.2%.

Annual dynamics of production in Estonia in value, 2018-2021, K $ US

In kind, 2018-2021, t

Estonia's production volume of uncoated paper and paperboard declined for the second consecutive year. In 2021, the country produced 632 tonnes, representing a sharp drop of 51.1% year-on-year. From 2018 to 2021, production fell by 63%, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of -28.2%. The peak volume was recorded in 2019 at 1,830 tonnes, which also experienced the largest increase of 7.1%.

Annual dynamics of production in Estonia in kind, 2018-2021, t

Exports uncoated paper and paperboard from Estonia

Exports in kind, t

Estonia's exports of uncoated paper and paperboard increased for the third consecutive year. In 2021, export volume reached 1,629 tonnes, up by 56.6% compared to the previous year. Between 2018 and 2021, exports grew by 61.1%, equating to an annualized rate of 17.2%.

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

From 2018 to 2021, Russia (25.9% of exports in volume), Finland (23.9% of exports in volume), and Latvia (22.2% of exports in volume) formed the key group of partners for Estonia's uncoated paper and paperboard exports, jointly accounting for 72.1% of total flows.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

The market showed noticeable fluctuations during this period. In 2021, the value of Estonia's uncoated paper and paperboard exports was recorded at 1,197 thousand US dollars, marking a steep increase of 88.6% compared to 2020. The minimum value was recorded in 2020 at 635 thousand US dollars, while the largest decline occurred in 2019 at 4.8%. Import levels varied by 1.9 times between the low in 2020 and the high in 2021.

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

Over 2018–2021, Finland (26.0% of exports in value), Latvia (23.5% of exports in value), and Russia (16.3% of exports in value) were the primary buyers of uncoated paper and paperboard from Estonia, jointly accounting for 65.8% of total exports in value terms.

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

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

Imports uncoated paper and paperboard to Estonia

Imports in kind, t

Estonia's imports of uncoated paper and paperboard increased for the second consecutive year. In 2021, imports amounted to 19,007 tonnes, reflecting a rise of 30.0% compared to the previous year. Between 2018 and 2021, imports grew by 33.3%, equating to an annualized rate of 10.1%. The lowest volume was recorded in 2019 at 13,313 tonnes, which also saw the largest decline of 6.6%.

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

In 2018–2021, Lithuania (33.2% of imports in volume), Poland (25.1% of imports in volume), and Germany (14.6% of imports in volume) continued to be the main suppliers of uncoated paper and paperboard to Estonia, jointly forming 72.8% of total imports in volume.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

The market exhibited an unstable trend throughout the timeframe. In 2021, the value of Estonia's uncoated paper and paperboard imports amounted to 11,592 thousand US dollars, equivalent to a steep gain of 84.6% versus the previous year. The minimum value was recorded in 2020 at 6,278 thousand US dollars, while the largest decline occurred in 2019 at 21.0%. The period saw a peak in 2021 and a trough in 2020, with a 1.8-fold variation.

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

In 2018–2021, Lithuania (33.3% of imports in value), Poland (22.9% of imports in value), and Germany (14.6% of imports in value) were the largest suppliers of uncoated paper and paperboard to Estonia, together forming 70.8% of total imports in value terms.

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

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