U.S. Tissue Paper Imports

In July 2023, supplies from abroad of toilet or facial tissue stock, towel and similar paper was finally on the rise to reach 28K tons for the first time since April 2023, thus ending a two-month declining trend. Overall, imports continue to indicate a relatively flat trend pattern. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in January 2023 when imports increased by 54% against the previous month.

In value terms, tissue paper imports rose notably to $43M (IndexBox estimates) in July 2023. Over the period under review, imports, however, continue to indicate a relatively flat trend pattern. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in January 2023 with an increase of 35% against the previous month.

Imports by Country

Canada (7.3K tons), Indonesia (5.4K tons) and Mexico (4.7K tons) were the main suppliers of tissue paper imports to the United States, with a combined 62% share of total imports. Turkey, Italy and Vietnam lagged somewhat behind, together accounting for a further 24%.

From July 2022 to July 2023, the most notable rate of growth in terms of purchases, amongst the main suppliers, was attained by Italy (with a CAGR of +27.5%), while imports for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, Canada ($12M), Indonesia ($7.8M) and Mexico ($6.9M) constituted the largest tissue paper suppliers to the United States, together comprising 61% of total imports. These countries were followed by Turkey, Italy and Vietnam, which together accounted for a further 24%.

Among the main suppliers, Italy, with a CAGR of +25.1%, saw the highest growth rate of the value of imports, over the period under review, while purchases for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Import Prices by Country

In July 2023, the tissue paper price amounted to $1,549 per ton (CIF, US), with a decrease of -6.4% against the previous month. Over the period under review, the import price recorded a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in September 2022 an increase of 11% month-to-month. The import price peaked at $1,795 per ton in December 2022; however, from January 2023 to July 2023, import prices failed to regain momentum.

Average prices varied noticeably amongst the major supplying countries. In July 2023, the highest price was recorded for prices from Canada ($1,612 per ton) and Italy ($1,611 per ton), while the price for Indonesia ($1,446 per ton) and Mexico ($1,456 per ton) were amongst the lowest.

From July 2022 to July 2023, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Indonesia (-0.4%), while the prices for the other major suppliers experienced a decline.

Source: IndexBox Market Intelligence Platform