In July 2023, after two months of growth, there was significant decline in purchases abroad of paper and paperboard (creped, crinkled, embossed or perforated), when their volume decreased by -15.6% to 380 tons. In general, total imports indicated a pronounced increase from July 2022 to July 2023: its volume increased at an average monthly rate of +2.5% over the last twelve months. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period.
Based on July 2023 figures, imports increased by +35.8% against April 2023 indices. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in January 2023 with an increase of 142% month-to-month. In value terms, paper and paperboard imports contracted to $1.1M (IndexBox estimates) in July 2023. Over the period under review, total imports indicated tangible growth from July 2022 to July 2023: its value increased at an average monthly rate of +2.4% over the last twelve months. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on July 2023 figures, imports increased by +21.8% against April 2023 indices. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in August 2022 when imports increased by 79% m-o-m. As a result, imports attained the peak of $1.5M. From September 2022 to July 2023, the growth of imports failed to regain momentum.