OCC and mixed paper exports fell considerably in May 2019, according to the latest HMRC export data.
News & pam exports however, remained relatively stable in terms of volume.
OCC – Commodity code 470710Â
Exports of OCC were down globally from April with a total of 190,452 tonnes leaving the UK for EU, Asian and other destinations.
This compared to 178,870 tonnes the month before.
It represented the lowest monthly total since July 2018, and reflects the anecdotal evidence that markets were quiet.
China was still the main export destination with 76,064 tonnes, down from 105,440 tonnes in April. Since we started collating the HMRC data in 2012, this is the lowest monthly total for exports to China.
India was the next strongest destination taking 31,561 tonnes, again down from 37,104 tonnes in April.
This was followed by Turkey with 27,710 tonnes, up from 18,820 tonnes in April. Turkey has now imported more than 16,000 tonnes for four months straight, suggesting it is now a key destination for UK OCC.
Indonesia imported 10,197 tonnes of UK material, down from a huge 73,374 tonnes in April.
Exports to the EU totalled 8,871 tonnes in May, down from 11,734 tonnes a month earlier. Almost half of this went to the Netherlands though, so is likely to be transitional tonnage.
[wpdatatable id=47 table_view=regular]
[wpdatachart id=18]
Mixed paper – Commodity code 470790
Exports of mixed paper from UK ports fell in May compared to April with 117,715 tonnes leaving in the most recent month compared to 134,025 tonnes the month before.
India was the most significant destination with 33,567 tonnes, down a touch on April’s 35,909 tonnes.
The EU as a whole took 27,986 tonnes up from 20,619 tonnes. Netherlands with 11,793 tonnes was the top EU destination, but this was most likely material going elsewhere. Germany was next with 8,305 tonnes, up compared to April’s 7,891 tonnes.
China took 24,790 tonnes, down from April’s 45,992 tonnes. This remains a surprise considering this grade is banned from import into China.
Indonesia represented the next strongest importer with 8,553 tonnes, lower than April’s 12,624 tonnes.
[wpdatatable id=48 table_view=regular]
[wpdatachart id=19]
News & Pams – Commodity code 4704
Exports of this grade increased in May reaching 24,346 tonnes, from 22,885 tonnes in April. This was the best month since December 2018.
EU countries took most material with 9,370 tonnes, up from 8,478 tonnes in April. Germany was most hungry in Europe with 3,152 tonnes, albeit this was down from 4,421 tonnes in April. Spain (2,718 tonnes) and France (1,831 tonnes) both increased UK purchases in May.
India imported 7,365 tonnes in May, from 6,002 tonnes a month earlier.
Indonesia dropped a touch to 3,423 tonnes from 3,733 tonnes in April.
Turkey also took more news & pam, with 1,702 tonnes in May compared to 1,383 tonnes the month before.
[wpdatatable id=52 table_view=regular]
[wpdatachart id=21]
OCC historic data – all destinations
Mixed paper historic data – all destinations
N&P historic data – all destinations
