Mar 17, 2025
IndexBox has just published a new report: United Kingdom - Household And Sanitary Articles of Paper - Market Analysis, Forecast, Size, Trends And Insights.
The UK market for household and sanitary paper products is poised for growth as demand continues to increase. Forecasts suggest a steady rise in market performance, with both volume and value expected to see positive growth rates over the next decade. This trend underscores the potential for expansion and development in the industry.
Market Forecast
Driven by rising demand for household and sanitary articles of paper in the UK, the market is expected to start an upward consumption trend over the next decade. The performance of the market is forecast to increase slightly, with an anticipated CAGR of +0.5% for the period from 2024 to 2035, which is projected to bring the market volume to 1.2M tons by the end of 2035.
In value terms, the market is forecast to increase with an anticipated CAGR of +1.6% for the period from 2024 to 2035, which is projected to bring the market value to $3.9B (in nominal wholesale prices) by the end of 2035.
Consumption
United Kingdom's Consumption of Household and Sanitary Articles of Paper
In 2024, the amount of household and sanitary articles of paper consumed in the UK expanded to 1.1M tons, increasing by 3.7% against the year before. In general, consumption, however, continues to indicate a relatively flat trend pattern. Consumption of peaked at 1.3M tons in 2018; however, from 2019 to 2024, consumption failed to regain momentum.
The value of the market for household and sanitary articles of paper in the UK stood at $3.3B in 2024, remaining constant against the previous year. This figure reflects the total revenues of producers and importers (excluding logistics costs, retail marketing costs, and retailers' margins, which will be included in the final consumer price). Over the period under review, consumption, however, saw a relatively flat trend pattern. Consumption of peaked at $3.7B in 2014; however, from 2015 to 2024, consumption stood at a somewhat lower figure.
Production
United Kingdom's Production of Household and Sanitary Articles of Paper
In 2024, the amount of household and sanitary articles of paper produced in the UK amounted to 1.1M tons, remaining stable against 2023 figures. Overall, production, however, recorded a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2014 with an increase of 4.1%. Over the period under review, production of reached the peak volume at 1.2M tons in 2018; however, from 2019 to 2024, production stood at a somewhat lower figure.
In value terms, production of household and sanitary articles of paper reached $3.1B in 2024 estimated in export price. Over the period under review, production, however, recorded a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2018 with an increase of 5.5% against the previous year. Production of peaked at $3.5B in 2014; however, from 2015 to 2024, production failed to regain momentum.
Imports
United Kingdom's Imports of Household and Sanitary Articles of Paper
In 2024, imports of household and sanitary articles of paper into the UK surged to 174K tons, with an increase of 26% on the previous year's figure. Overall, imports, however, continue to indicate a relatively flat trend pattern. Imports peaked at 216K tons in 2017; however, from 2018 to 2024, imports remained at a lower figure.
In value terms, imports of household and sanitary articles of paper contracted modestly to $437M in 2024. Over the period under review, imports, however, recorded a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2020 when imports increased by 95%. As a result, imports attained the peak of $797M. From 2021 to 2024, the growth of imports of remained at a somewhat lower figure.
Imports By Country
Italy (39K tons), China (28K tons) and Germany (25K tons) were the main suppliers of imports of household and sanitary articles of paper to the UK, together accounting for 53% of total imports. Poland, the Netherlands, France, Turkey, Belgium, Spain and Finland lagged somewhat behind, together accounting for a further 39%.
From 2013 to 2024, the most notable rate of growth in terms of purchases, amongst the main suppliers, was attained by Turkey (with a CAGR of +18.6%), while imports for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.
In value terms, Italy ($78M), China ($77M) and Germany ($59M) appeared to be the largest household and sanitary articles of paper suppliers to the UK, together comprising 49% of total imports. The Netherlands, France, Poland, Belgium, Turkey, Spain and Finland lagged somewhat behind, together comprising a further 40%.
Among the main suppliers, Turkey, with a CAGR of +17.7%, recorded 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
The average import price for household and sanitary articles of paper stood at $2,505 per ton in 2024, which is down by -23.6% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the import price, however, recorded a relatively flat trend pattern. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2020 when the average import price increased by 104%. As a result, import price attained the peak level of $4,175 per ton. From 2021 to 2024, the average import prices remained at a somewhat lower figure.
There were significant differences in the average prices amongst the major supplying countries. In 2024, amid the top importers, the country with the highest price was Belgium ($3,408 per ton), while the price for Spain ($1,976 per ton) was amongst the lowest.
From 2013 to 2024, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Finland (+2.8%), while the prices for the other major suppliers experienced more modest paces of growth.
Exports
United Kingdom's Exports of Household and Sanitary Articles of Paper
In 2024, approx. 92K tons of household and sanitary articles of paper were exported from the UK; with a decrease of -3.7% against the year before. In general, exports continue to indicate a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2022 with an increase of 29% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the exports of hit record highs at 98K tons in 2019; however, from 2020 to 2024, the exports stood at a somewhat lower figure.
In value terms, exports of household and sanitary articles of paper dropped to $292M in 2024. Overall, exports, however, showed a relatively flat trend pattern. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2022 when exports increased by 34% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the exports of hit record highs at $312M in 2023, and then shrank in the following year.
Exports By Country
Ireland (65K tons) was the main destination for exports of household and sanitary articles of paper from the UK, with a 70% share of total exports. Moreover, exports of household and sanitary articles of paper to Ireland exceeded the volume sent to the second major destination, the Netherlands (6.6K tons), tenfold. The third position in this ranking was held by France (4.4K tons), with a 4.7% share.
From 2013 to 2024, the average annual rate of growth in terms of volume to Ireland was relatively modest. Exports to the other major destinations recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: the Netherlands (+12.9% per year) and France (-5.2% per year).
In value terms, Ireland ($192M) remains the key foreign market for household and sanitary articles of paper exports from the UK, comprising 66% of total exports. The second position in the ranking was taken by the Netherlands ($20M), with a 6.8% share of total exports. It was followed by France, with a 4.4% share.
From 2013 to 2024, the average annual growth rate of value to Ireland was relatively modest. Exports to the other major destinations recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: the Netherlands (+11.4% per year) and France (-4.5% per year).
Export Prices By Country
The average export price for household and sanitary articles of paper stood at $3,158 per ton in 2024, which is down by -2.9% against the previous year. Overall, the export price, however, showed a relatively flat trend pattern. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2023 when the average export price increased by 11%. As a result, the export price reached the peak level of $3,251 per ton, and then reduced modestly in the following year.
Prices varied noticeably by country of destination: amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was the United States ($4,947 per ton), while the average price for exports to Sweden ($2,808 per ton) was amongst the lowest.
From 2013 to 2024, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was recorded for supplies to Germany (+4.5%), while the prices for the other major destinations experienced more modest paces of growth.
Source: IndexBox Market Intelligence Platform
