US Paper and Paperboard Scrap Exports, Imports Surged Through September

SEATTLE (Scrap Monster): The most recent statistics released by the US Census Bureau suggests significant surge in imports of paper and paperboard scrap by the country during the initial three quarters of 2017. The imports during the period amounted to $118.83 million, significantly higher by 49% when matched with the imports of $79.45 during the corresponding nine-month period in 2017. The imports until September this year have already exceeded the total imports during the full year 2016.

The primary supplier of paper and paperboard scrap to the US was Canada. The country accounted for nearly 94% of all imports by the US during this period. Canada shipped $111.38 million worth paper and paperboard scrap during Jan-Sep ’17. The shipments from Canada surged higher by over 52% when matched with the year before. The imports from Mexico totaled $7.13 million, equivalent to 6% market share. The other key sources of import were China ($137,205), South Korea ($32,315) and Turks and Caicos Islands ($24,865).

The top five customs district ports which accounted for bulk of the inward shipment of paper and paperboard scrap were Buffalo, Seattle, Ogdensburg, N.Y., Pembina, N.D. and Detroit. These five customs districts together accounted for nearly 85% of total US imports during the nine-month period from January to September this year.

Meantime, the US exports of paper and paperboard scrap has increased by 5% through September this year to $2.41 billion. The first three quarters of 2016 had recorded exports of only $2.29 billion, the data shows. It must be noted that the US exports had totaled $3.13 billion during the entire year 2016.

The key destinations of US export through September this year were China, Mexico, India, South Korea and Canada. These five countries consumed nearly 89% of all shipments by the US. China accounted for nearly 58% of all shipments by the US during this period. The exports to that country were valued at $1.41 billion, marginally higher by 2.36% over the previous year. In second place was Mexico with imports of $261.54 million. The country’s imports were up by over 18% from the previous year. Mexico accounted for 10.84% market share of US exports. India imported $243.80 million paper and paperboard scrap from the US. The country’s imports rose by nearly 12% year-on-year. The other main export markets during Jan-Sep ’17 were South Korea ($124.53 million) and Canada ($116.86 million).

The top five Customs Districts accounted for 69% of shipments of paper and paperboard scrap by the US. The topper was Los Angeles with shipments amounting to $677.18 million. The other customs districts which recorded significant scrap shipment volumes during Jan-Sep ’17 were New York City ($490.93 million), San Francisco ($217.83 million), Laredo ($165.13 million) and Seattle ($122.01 million).