U.S. Paper and Paperboard Scrap Exports Shrink 6%

SEATTLE (Scrap Monster): The U.S. exports of Paper and Paperboard scrap during the initial four months of the current year recorded a decline of 6% over the previous year. In accordance with the latest trade statistics published by the U.S. Census Bureau, the exports totaled nearly $1 billion during Jan-Apr ’18, down by 6% when compared with the exports which had totaled $1.07 billion during the corresponding four-month period last year. The exports totaled $252.48 million during the month of April 2018 alone.

The topmost destination of exports of paper and paperboard scrap from the U.S. was China. However, exports to China witnessed sharp decline over the previous year. The exports to the country reported a decline of nearly 37.22% to total $411.54 million. China accounted for over 41% of all shipments by the U.S. The second largest importer was India with $194.86 million, followed by Mexico with $117.64 million. The other key export markets were Canada ($55.47 million) and South Korea ($51.24 million). These top five foreign markets imported $830.75 of paper and paperboard scrap from the U.S, representing nearly 84% of all shipments by the U.S. during Jan-Apr ’18.

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Meantime, imports too recorded 14% decline during this period. The U.S. imports dropped from $51.61 million to $44.41 million over the previous year. The monthly imports totaled $11.2 million in April 2018.

Canada was the key supplier, accounting for bulk of the U.S. imports. The shipments from Canada totaled $42.78 million, equivalent to more than 96% of all U.S. imports. The other major exporters were Mexico ($1.56 million), China ($49,220), Germany ($19,380), Nepal ($4,950) and Italy ($2,463). Among the above suppliers, only Germany reported increased volume of export to the U.S. The imports from all other sources declined when compared with the previous year.