This statistic shows the monthly output Producer Price Index (PPI) of paper and paper products in the United Kingdom, from January 2016 to December 2024. After a period of fluctuation, the output price for paper and products in the UK has risen substantially between March 2017 and February 2019, declined throughout the rest of 2019 and 2020, and rapidly started to increase again from March 2021 to February 2023. Most recently, the PPI began to increase again, measuring at 131.6 in December 2024. Paper production in the United Kingdom The paper production industry is an important contributor to the United Kingdom's economy. In 2023, the UK produced over 3.2 metric tons' worth of paper products. The Year prior, the most produced type of paper was corrugated case materials, widely used in the form of cardboard boxes. Paper consumption around the world The United Kingdom is not anymore among some of the world's largest consumers of paper and paperboard by volume. China consumes more paper and paperboard than any other country, consuming over 137 million metric tons of paper and paperboard, compared with the 58 million metric tons consumed by the United States, the next highest nation by consumption of paper and paperboard.

This statistic the Producer Price Index (PPI) of paper and paper products in the United Kingdom (UK) as an annual average output price from 2009 to 2023. The average output price index of paper sold by manufacturers in the UK has fluctuated in this time period. In 2023 the indexed value measured at 135.

In 2023, purchases abroad of cartons, boxes and cases of corrugated paper or paperboard decreased by -7.7% to 110K tons, falling for the second year in a row after two years of growth.

The Paper and Paperboard Manufacturing industry faces the ever-growing threat and pressure of IT and telecommunications adoption, reducing paper usage. As such, over the five years through 2024-25, industry revenue is expected to slump at a compound annual rate of 2.3% to £3 billion. Some leading manufacturers, like AW UK Holdings Ltd, have exited the industry, while others have seen factory closures, like the Stoneywood paper mill in Aberdeen in 2022, contributing to the industry's downfall. Following some companies’ exits, the industry is consolidating, with many more prominent manufacturers acquiring smaller businesses. The COVID-19 outbreak in 2020-21 caused a large slump in industry revenue. Volatile commodity prices and weak downstream conditions, caused by forced business closures and more cautious consumer spending, led to widespread economic uncertainty and low investment. Industry imports and exports tanked amid supply chain disruption and trade restrictions off the back of the COVID-19 outbreak. The paper stationery manufacturing market and newspaper publishers took a huge hit, partly because of increased IT and telecommunication adoption, driven by a work-from-home trend that reduced paper consumption. Revenue is forecast to contract by 0.6% in 2024-25 and remain below pre-pandemic levels despite a promising revenue recovery after lockdown restrictions were lifted. Volatile wood pulp and paper prices, more immense regulatory pressures and supply chain disruption have caused industry profit to remain low. However, inflation stabilising in 2023-24 thanks to high interest rates limiting borrowing is rebuilding some consumer confidence in 2024-25. The ongoing shift towards electronic communications and media will continue to create challenging conditions for the industry over the coming years. In the short term, easing macroeconomic headwinds will support revenue prospects, especially as paper manufacturers start to re-invest their widening profit into the production process. Continuing investment in sustainability and automation practices within manufacturing facilities will put manufacturers in an excellent position to capitalise on a growing packaging and paper bag manufacturing market. As the plastic packaging tax escalates, paper manufacturers will sway customers away from unsustainable plastic bag manufacturers. Over the five years through 2029-30, industry revenue is forecast to creep upwards at a compound annual rate of 0.3% to exceed £3.1 billion.

This statistic illustrates the annual producer price index of paper and paper products manufactured in the United Kingdom (UK) from 2000 to 2019. The producer price index for these good reached a peak in 2019 at 114.3 points.

United Kingdom Import Price Index: BoP: MM: Paper & Paperboard data was reported at 104.000 2013=100 in Jul 2017. This records an increase from the previous number of 103.000 2013=100 for Jun 2017. United Kingdom Import Price Index: BoP: MM: Paper & Paperboard data is updated monthly, averaging 83.000 2013=100 from Jan 1998 (Median) to Jul 2017, with 235 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 104.000 2013=100 in Jul 2017 and a record low of 75.000 2013=100 in Feb 2004. United Kingdom Import Price Index: BoP: MM: Paper & Paperboard data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by Office for National Statistics. The data is categorized under Global Database’s United Kingdom – Table UK.I034: Foreign Trade Price Index: 2013=100: By Commodity. Rebased from 2013=100 to 2015=100 Replacement series ID: 391900677

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The Paper and Paperboard Manufacturing industry has struggled with the ever-increasing threat of digitalisation across Europe dampening paper usage. This is the main reason revenue is expected to contract at a compound annual rate of 4.8% over the five years through 2024 to €115.8 billion. A number of companies have exited the market in recent years, driving the manufacturers left behind to consolidate – many of the more prominent manufacturers are acquiring smaller businesses to shore up their market share. The COVID-19 pandemic has been a key driver of the industry’s recent revenue decline, especially in 2020. Volatile commodity prices and weak downstream conditions, caused by enforced business closures across the majority of European countries and more cautious consumer spending, led to widespread economic uncertainty and low investment. Paper stationery manufacturers and newspaper publishers suffered greatly, partly because of Europe’s heightened degree of digitalisation (driven by a work-from-home trend) dampening paper consumption. Revenue is forecast to fall by 4.2% in 2024 and remain below pre-pandemic levels. Volatile wood pulp and paper prices, more regulatory pressures and supply chain disruption have caused profitability to remain low. The ongoing shift towards electronic communications and media will continue to create challenging conditions for manufacturers over the coming years. In the short term, macroeconomic headwinds (including high inflation and interest rates) are expected to ease, supporting revenue prospects, especially as paper manufacturers start to reinvest their widening profitability into the production process. Continuing investment in sustainability and automation within manufacturing facilities will put paper producers in a strong position to capitalise on a growing packaging and paper bag manufacturing market. Over the five years through 2029, revenue is slated to swell at a compound annual rate of 2% to €127.9 billion.

Euro Area - Producer prices in industry: Manufacture of pulp, paper and paperboard was 117.20 points in April of 2025, according to the EUROSTAT. Trading Economics provides the current actual value, an historical data chart and related indicators for Euro Area - Producer prices in industry: Manufacture of pulp, paper and paperboard - last updated from the EUROSTAT on June of 2025. Historically, Euro Area - Producer prices in industry: Manufacture of pulp, paper and paperboard reached a record high of 145.70 points in October of 2022 and a record low of 79.30 points in August of 2009.

United Kingdom PPI: Input: 90=100: Paper & Paper Products, Publishing, Printing data was reported at 93.600 1990=100 in Aug 1998. This records a decrease from the previous number of 94.400 1990=100 for Jul 1998. United Kingdom PPI: Input: 90=100: Paper & Paper Products, Publishing, Printing data is updated monthly, averaging 97.250 1990=100 from Jan 1990 (Median) to Aug 1998, with 104 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 117.900 1990=100 in Dec 1995 and a record low of 91.300 1990=100 in Dec 1993. United Kingdom PPI: Input: 90=100: Paper & Paper Products, Publishing, Printing data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by Office for National Statistics. The data is categorized under Global Database’s UK – Table UK.I018: Producer Price Index: SIC 2003: 2005=100: Input.

The average tissue paper import price stood at $1,440 per ton in March 2025, picking up by 2.1% against the previous month.

United Kingdom PPI: Input: Manufacture of Pulp Paper and Paper products, Publis data was reported at 117.900 2000=100 in Aug 2008. This stayed constant from the previous number of 117.900 2000=100 for Jul 2008. United Kingdom PPI: Input: Manufacture of Pulp Paper and Paper products, Publis data is updated monthly, averaging 99.700 2000=100 from Jan 1991 (Median) to Aug 2008, with 212 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 117.900 2000=100 in Aug 2008 and a record low of 91.600 2000=100 in Aug 1992. United Kingdom PPI: Input: Manufacture of Pulp Paper and Paper products, Publis data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by Office for National Statistics. The data is categorized under Global Database’s UK – Table UK.I018: Producer Price Index: SIC 2003: 2005=100: Input.

The UK non-corrugated paper box market stood at $3.9B in 2024, therefore, remained relatively stable against the previous year. Over the period under review, the total consumption indicated a moderate increase from 2012 to 2024: its value increased at an average annual rate of +3.4% over the last twelve years. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2024 figures, consumption decreased by -3.7% against 2022 indices.

Over the five years through 2024-25, the cardboard packaging and paper bag manufacturing industry is expected to climb at a compound annual rate of 1.5% to £6.2 billion. Heightening private consumption expenditure and an expanding UK e-commerce sector have supported revenue growth. Nonetheless, competition from cheaper overseas manufacturers has hindered growth prospects by intensifying price competition. The economies of scale achieved by more prominent manufacturers through vertical integration have made conditions extensively difficult for smaller companies, causing some to exit the industry in 2023-24. The plastic packaging goods manufacturing industry directly threatens revenue growth. However, increasingly stringent regulations on plastic packaging and plastic bag use across the UK, coinciding with increasing paper and paperboard prices, have allowed manufacturers to boost the value and volume of orders. After growing in 2022-23, thanks to high pulp and paperboard prices, which manufacturers passed onto consumers, revenue dropped in 2023-24 amid weak economic conditions and a dip in pulp and paperboard prices. Over 2024-25, revenue is expected to creep upwards by 1.2% as downstream demand grows amid greater economic certainty and increased consumer spending, boosting packaging sales. Volatile pulp prices, which are creeping up in the first quarter of 2025, will remain a key driver of uncertainty in the industry, impacting revenue and profit. Over the five years through 2029-30, the cardboard packaging and paper bag manufacturing industry is expected to swell at a compound annual rate of 2.4% to reach £7 billion. Climbing online expenditure will broaden the downstream market size for cardboard packaging and paper bag manufacturing, while public concerns regarding plastic waste should propel revenue growth. The average industry profit margin is also expected to climb, elevated by large-scale manufacturers bumping their focus on manufacturing higher value-added products. The industry will also become increasingly capital-intensive as several leading companies continue to improve efficiency in the production process, coinciding with the adoption of Industry 4.0 technology.

The UK paper and paperboard market expanded markedly to $424M in 2024, with an increase of 10% against the previous year. The market value increased at an average annual rate of +1.1% over the period from 2012 to 2024; the trend pattern remained relatively stable, with only minor fluctuations being observed throughout the analyzed period. As a result, consumption reached the peak level and is likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

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United Kingdom PPI: Output: 90=100: Pulp, Paper and Paper Products data was reported at 120.400 1990=100 in Aug 1998. This records a decrease from the previous number of 121.200 1990=100 for Jul 1998. United Kingdom PPI: Output: 90=100: Pulp, Paper and Paper Products data is updated monthly, averaging 104.950 1990=100 from Jan 1990 (Median) to Aug 1998, with 104 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 132.300 1990=100 in Oct 1995 and a record low of 97.900 1990=100 in Jan 1990. United Kingdom PPI: Output: 90=100: Pulp, Paper and Paper Products data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by Office for National Statistics. The data is categorized under Global Database’s UK – Table UK.I019: Producer Price Index: SIC 2003: 2005=100: Output.

As of 2024, the most expensive national newspaper for UK consumers was FT Weekend (a supplement to the weekend edition of the Financial Times) at five British pounds and ten pence per copy. By contrast, The i and Daily Star both came out at under one pound each. The i cost just 20 pence back in 2014, meaning that the paper's cover price increased by more than fourfold over the last decade. A number of national papers cost over three GBP in 2024, including The Observer, The Sunday Times, and the Saturday edition of The Guardian. Circulation continues to fall Between 2022 and 2023, data on 14 large national newspapers in the UK showed a drop in paid circulation among every publication. Sunday People suffered a decline of almost 20 percent, and Daily Star, Daily Record, and Daily Mirror saw a decrease of 14 percent. With the price of newspapers on the up and the cost-of-living crisis ongoing, it seems unrealistic to expect British consumers to invest in newspapers, and circulation is unlikely to improve. But will consumers invest in online subscriptions? Digital news subscriptions are also costly A number of news subscriptions available to UK news consumers cost in excess of 200 British pounds per year, and most were around the 100 GBP mark. For the 38.9 percent of UK consumers spending between 51 and 100 GBP on online grocery each week, persuading them to invest a similar amount in just one news publication is challenging.

United Kingdom ExPI: Non EU: PP: Corrugated Paper, Paperboard & of Containers data was reported at 104.500 2015=100 in Jun 2021. This records a decrease from the previous number of 104.700 2015=100 for May 2021. United Kingdom ExPI: Non EU: PP: Corrugated Paper, Paperboard & of Containers data is updated monthly, averaging 106.250 2015=100 from Mar 2020 (Median) to Jun 2021, with 16 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 107.000 2015=100 in Jul 2020 and a record low of 104.500 2015=100 in Jun 2021. United Kingdom ExPI: Non EU: PP: Corrugated Paper, Paperboard & of Containers data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by Office for National Statistics. The data is categorized under Global Database’s United Kingdom – Table UK.I043: Export Price Index: 2015=100.

In June 2022, the tissue paper price per ton amounted to $1.8K (CIF, United Kingdom), with an increase of 5% against the previous month.