Cardboard Prices 2025, Size, Trend, Graph, News and Forecast

North America

In Q4 2024, the U.S. cardboard market experienced notable price volatility, shaped by fluctuating demand and supply conditions. October saw a sharp price increase, driven by heightened demand from downstream sectors such as e-commerce, food and beverage, and consumer goods packaging. This uptick coincided with a 14.5% rise in U.S. unbleached packaging paper shipments, according to the American Forest & Paper Association (AF&PA).

To meet the surge in demand, producers expanded capacity, which helped stabilize supply despite ongoing supply chain constraints and rising production costs from inflationary pressures. In November, prices continued climbing as mills grappled with limited raw material availability, pushing production costs even higher. Robust seasonal demand, especially tied to holiday-related packaging and online shopping, sustained the upward momentum.

However, by December, market conditions shifted. A post-Thanksgiving decline in purchasing activity led to reduced cardboard demand, as retailers scaled back inventory and e-commerce activity normalized. Despite steady supply levels, manufacturers adjusted output to align with softer demand, easing price pressures and rebalancing the market heading into year-end.

Get Real time Prices for cardboard : https://www.chemanalyst.com/Pricing-data/cardboard-1614

Asia-Pacific

The Chinese cardboard market in Q4 2024 witnessed a series of price fluctuations influenced by changing demand and constrained supply. October marked a modest price rebound following months of stability. Anticipating price increases, downstream buyers accelerated orders, while large mills led a round of price hikes that smaller mills quickly mirrored, fueling a short-lived market rally.

By November, prices rose further amid strong demand from the packaging sector, spurred by seasonal activity. At the same time, supply-side constraints intensified. Wastepaper prices in Zhejiang Province climbed due to reduced recycling volumes and weak domestic commodity consumption, which tightened supply elasticity. Mill shutdowns and maintenance also limited output, amplifying the upward pressure on prices.

The trend reversed in December as demand eased, particularly in the packaging and e-commerce segments, which cooled after the holiday rush. Weaker industrial production and slower logistics activity led to fewer cardboard orders. An oversupplied market and excess inventory further suppressed prices, resulting in a soft close to the quarter following earlier gains.

Europe

In Q4 2024, Europe’s cardboard market—particularly in Germany—underwent marked price swings driven by rising costs and seasonal demand shifts. In October, prices increased despite waning demand, largely due to elevated production costs from higher energy prices, raw material expenses (notably pulp), and labor costs. Ongoing logistical disruptions and inflationary pressures further strained producers.

November saw continued price escalation as mills passed these cost burdens onto buyers. A pre-holiday surge in demand from retail and packaging sectors, along with growing interest in eco-friendly and recyclable materials, sustained market momentum.

Yet, by December, the market entered a downward phase. Following the holiday peak, seasonal demand softened, prompting retailers to reduce orders and e-commerce activity to normalize. With supply remaining stable and production rates reduced, prices declined, highlighting the cyclical nature of cardboard demand and the sector's sensitivity to both cost

Get Real time Prices for cardboard : https://www.chemanalyst.com/Pricing-data/cardboard-1614

 

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