Cardboard Price Trend Analysis 2026: Market Insights, Historical Prices, Supply Demand Analysis, Latest News & Price Drivers

Name: Cardboard Price Trend Data
Creator: Procurement Resource
License: https://www.procurementresource.com/term-and-condition

Written ByUdeesha Tomar

Cardboard Price Trend Q1 2026

Global cardboard markets remained mixed during Q1’26 as weak industrial demand offset higher freight and energy costs linked to Middle East geopolitical disruptions.
Feedstock sentiment stayed volatile due to fluctuating pulp, recycled paper, and transportation costs, while shipping disruptions through the Strait of Hormuz increased packaging logistics expenses.
Downstream demand from e-commerce, food packaging, and consumer goods sectors remained moderate, although cautious procurement and sufficient inventories limited stronger price momentum.

Global cardboard prices witnessed range-bound to slightly firm movements during Q1’26. In Asia, the market initially softened due to slower post-holiday manufacturing activity and weaker export packaging demand in China. However, freight inflation, vessel rerouting, and higher insurance costs linked to the Iran conflict increased regional logistics expenses later in the quarter, supporting prices. China’s paper and paperboard output continued to remain substantial according to official industrial statistics, ensuring adequate supply availability across the domestic market. In Europe, subdued industrial production and weak packaging demand from manufacturing sectors pressured sentiment, although elevated energy and transportation costs restricted sharper declines. Eurostat trade data showed continued paper and paperboard export activity across the European Union, which supported overall market movement despite cautious buying behaviour. In North America, cardboard demand from corrugated packaging, food delivery, and retail distribution sectors remained comparatively stable. The U.S. market maintained balanced supply conditions, while higher fuel and marine freight costs linked to global shipping disruptions increased operational expenses for packaging producers.

Analyst Insight

According to Procurement Resource, in the near term, cardboard prices are expected to remain slightly firm amid elevated freight costs, balanced supply conditions, and steady packaging-sector demand.

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Cardboard Dashboard Inclusions

Products

Regions

Subscriptions

Product	Category	Region	Price	Time Period
Cardboard	Packaging	USA	USD 567.47/MT	June 2025
Cardboard	Packaging	China	USD 263.28/MT	June 2025

Stay updated with the latest cardboard prices, historical data, and tailored regional analysis

Cardboard prices in 2025 exhibited a mixed trend, but on the whole, prices remained stable in global markets. In the first half of 2025, prices were largely driven by higher pulp and raw material prices, along with currency issues in Asian countries like India. Paper and cardboard makers were hit by higher wood, woodchip, and pulp prices, which compelled them to increase prices to sustain their profit levels. At the same time, increased capacities in countries like China and Indonesia led to increased competition, which restricted prices from rising significantly. In North America, prices ticked higher on expected closures, reduced production, and supply pressure, despite weak demand.

During the second half of 2025, the market stayed under pressure from slow demand and reduced corrugated box shipments. Buyers held inventories and delayed new purchases, which kept market activity low. In Europe, especially Germany, recovered paper prices declined slightly due to weak finished paper production and low collection volumes, although exports helped maintain balance. Toward the end of the year, supply tightened due to mill closures and seasonal packaging demand, which helped stabilize cardboard prices.

About Cardboard

Cardboard, a type of paperboard, is characterized by its lightweight yet sturdy construction, typically composed of multiple layers of compressed paper fibers. It is known for its versatility and affordability, making it widely used in packaging, printing, and crafting applications.

Cardboard comes in various grades and thicknesses, ranging from thin and flexible to thick and rigid, to suit different purposes. Its smooth surface provides an ideal substrate for printing, while its rigidity offers protection and support for packaged goods. Cardboard is valued for its eco-friendly properties, as it is recyclable and biodegradable, making it a sustainable choice for various industrial and commercial uses.

Cardboard Product Detail

Industrial Uses

Printing and graphics, Construction, Packaging

Supplier Database

TetraPak, International Paper Co., Koch Industries Inc, RockTenn Co., Graphic Packaging Holding Co., Amcor , Mondi Group, Domtar

Regional Coverage

Asia Pacific

China, India, Indonesia, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Japan, Philippines, Vietnam, Iran, Thailand, South Korea, Iraq, Saudi Arabia, Malaysia, Nepal, Taiwan, Sri Lanka, UAE, Israel, Hongkong, Singapore, Oman, Kuwait, Qatar, Australia, and New Zealand

Europe

Germany, France, United Kingdom, Italy,Spain, Russia, Turkey, Netherlands, Poland, Sweden, Belgium, Austria, Ireland Switzerland, Norway, Denmark, Romania, Finland, Czech Republic, Portugal and Greece

North America

United States and Canada

Latin America

Brazil, Mexico, Argentina, Columbia, Chile, Ecuador, and Peru

Africa

South Africa, Nigeria, Egypt, Algeria, Morocco

CurrencyUS$ (Data can also be provided in local currency)

Supplier Database AvailabilityYes

Customization ScopeThe report can be customized as per the requirements of the customer

Post-Sale Analyst Support360-degree analyst support after report delivery

Note: Our supplier search experts can assist your procurement teams in compiling and validating a list of suppliers indicating they have products, services, and capabilities that meet your company's needs.

Cardboard Production Process

Cardboard Production from heavy-duty layered papers: In the initial phase, the paper pulp is processed and refined which is then spread evenly and pressed to give uniform paper sheets. The sheets are then dried and layered over each other to give heavy-duty paper sheets for cardboard. These heavy-duty layered paper sheets are then processed through folding, cutting, and shaping to give the required cardboard products.

About the Author

Udeesha Tomar

AVP - Strategy and Solutions

Leading procurement research solutions across chemicals, materials, and food & beverages, with expertise in price forecasting and market analytics.

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Our Price Analysis Methodology

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Price trends across a diverse portfolio of categories and products, spanning board to niche chemicals

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Regular price tracking supported by robust historical datasets

News, policy updates, and key market drivers impacting price movements

Short-term and long-term price outlooks and forecasts

Supply-demand dynamics and capacity-driven market analysis

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Cardboard Price Trend Analysis 2026: Market Insights, Historical Prices, Supply Demand Analysis, Latest News & Price Drivers

Cardboard Price Trend Q1 2026

Need latest Cardboard price?

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Cardboard Dashboard Inclusions

2025 Cardboard Price Trend

Q4 2024 Cardboard Price Trend

Q3 2024 Cardboard Price Trend

Q2 2024 Cardboard Price Trend

Q1 2024 Cardboard Price Trend

About Cardboard

Cardboard Product Detail

Regional Coverage

Asia Pacific

Europe

North America

Latin America

Africa

Cardboard Production Process

About the Author

Udeesha Tomar

Schedule a demo

Other Related Reports

Paper Board Production from Pulping, Bleaching, Coating

Corrugated Box production from Corrugated Cardboard

Related News

Why Procurement Database

Commodity Market Intelligence

Price Forecasts & Market Outlooks

Cost & Procurement Optimization

Global & Regional Market Insights