Paper and board consumption rose by 0.9% compared to 2013 and totalled 77.1 million tonnes. This increase is particularly important because it comes after three consecutive years of decline. The EU28 and the euro area recovered in 2014, with the annual GDP thought to have increased by respectively 1.3% and 0.8% (source: Eurostat). This was reflected in the demand for paper.
Graphic grades represented 40.5% of all paper and board produced in Europe, packaging grades 47.5%, sanitary and household papers 7.7% and speciality grades 4.3%.
Paper and board exports to countries outside CEPI dropped, causing concern, whilst imports rose, resulting in a slightly negative trade balance impact. However, CEPI countries maintained an overall positive trade balance in paper (exports exceeding imports) of 14.0 million tonnes in 2014 (14.8 million tonnes in 2013).
Market pulp production fell by 1.4% compared to 2013, with an output of 13.2 million tonnes.
