Market overview
The global kraft paper market is worth USD 22.5 bn in 2026 and is forecast to reach USD 34.9 bn by 2036, growing at a 4.5% CAGR. China is the largest country market and Natural brown is the largest by grade segment.
| Scope | Kraft paper made from sulphate pulp for sacks, shopping bags, wrapping, food packaging and industrial uses, in natural, bleached and coated grades. |
|---|---|
| Industry | Packaging |
| Value 2025 | USD 21.5 bn |
| Value 2026 | USD 22.5 bn |
| Value 2036 | USD 34.9 bn |
| CAGR 2026-2036 | 4.5% |
| Volume 2026 | 24.8 million tonnes |
| Volume 2036 | 34.9 million tonnes |
| Average price 2026 | USD 905 per tonne |
| Report price | Starts from USD 1,999 |
| Published | November 2026 |
Request a free sample of this report
Kraft Paper market size and forecast, 2026-2036
Source: Compare Market Research analysis.
© 2026 Compare Market Research. All rights reserved.
| Year | Market value |
|---|---|
| 2026 | USD 22.5 bn |
| 2027 | USD 23.5 bn |
| 2028 | USD 24.5 bn |
| 2029 | USD 25.6 bn |
| 2030 | USD 26.8 bn |
| 2031 | USD 28.0 bn |
| 2032 | USD 29.3 bn |
| 2033 | USD 30.6 bn |
| 2034 | USD 32.0 bn |
| 2035 | USD 33.4 bn |
| 2036 | USD 34.9 bn |
Kraft Paper market segmentation
By grade
Source: Compare Market Research analysis.
© 2026 Compare Market Research. All rights reserved.
| Segment | Share 2026 | Share 2036 | Value 2026 | CAGR 2026-36 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Natural brown | 55.0% | 53.0% | USD 12.4 bn | 4.1% |
| Bleached | 20.0% | 21.2% | USD 4.5 bn | 5.1% |
| Coated and treated | 15.0% | 16.7% | USD 3.4 bn | 5.6% |
| Creped and other | 10.0% | 9.2% | USD 2.2 bn | 3.6% |
By end use
Source: Compare Market Research analysis.
© 2026 Compare Market Research. All rights reserved.
| Segment | Share 2026 | Share 2036 | Value 2026 | CAGR 2026-36 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Shopping and retail bags | 24.0% | 25.7% | USD 5.4 bn | 5.2% |
| Industrial sacks | 24.0% | 21.3% | USD 5.4 bn | 3.2% |
| Food and food-service packaging | 20.0% | 21.4% | USD 4.5 bn | 5.2% |
| Wrapping and e-commerce | 20.0% | 21.4% | USD 4.5 bn | 5.2% |
| Other | 12.0% | 10.1% | USD 2.7 bn | 2.7% |
By basis weight
| Segment | Share 2026 | Share 2036 | Value 2026 | CAGR 2026-36 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Under 60 gsm | 22.0% | 20.4% | USD 4.9 bn | 3.7% |
| 60 to 90 gsm | 40.0% | 39.9% | USD 9.0 bn | 4.5% |
| 90 to 120 gsm | 26.0% | 27.7% | USD 5.8 bn | 5.2% |
| Over 120 gsm | 12.0% | 12.0% | USD 2.7 bn | 4.5% |
By pulp source
| Segment | Share 2026 | Share 2036 | Value 2026 | CAGR 2026-36 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Virgin sulphate pulp | 56.0% | 51.7% | USD 12.6 bn | 3.7% |
| Recycled fibre | 34.0% | 38.4% | USD 7.6 bn | 5.8% |
| Blended pulp | 10.0% | 9.9% | USD 2.2 bn | 4.4% |
By paper type
| Segment | Share 2026 | Share 2036 | Value 2026 | CAGR 2026-36 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Machine finished kraft | 48.0% | 45.3% | USD 10.8 bn | 3.9% |
| Machine glazed kraft | 24.0% | 24.3% | USD 5.4 bn | 4.6% |
| Extensible sack kraft | 28.0% | 30.4% | USD 6.3 bn | 5.4% |
Top 25 countries for kraft paper by revenue
Countries are ranked by revenue earned from sales in the country, not by where the product is made. The ten largest hold 75.0% of 2026 revenue and the 25 countries below together hold 91.8%.
Source: Compare Market Research analysis.
© 2026 Compare Market Research. All rights reserved.
| # | Country | Value 2026 | Share 2026 | Value 2036 | CAGR 2026-36 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | China | USD 5.6 bn | 25.0% | USD 9.1 bn | 5.0% |
| 2 | United States | USD 4.0 bn | 18.0% | USD 5.7 bn | 3.5% |
| 3 | India | USD 1.6 bn | 7.0% | USD 3.1 bn | 7.0% |
| 4 | Germany | USD 1.1 bn | 5.0% | USD 1.6 bn | 3.4% |
| 5 | Japan | USD 899 mn | 4.0% | USD 1.2 bn | 2.5% |
| 6 | Brazil | USD 899 mn | 4.0% | USD 1.5 bn | 5.0% |
| 7 | Italy | USD 674 mn | 3.0% | USD 942 mn | 3.4% |
| 8 | France | USD 674 mn | 3.0% | USD 942 mn | 3.4% |
| 9 | United Kingdom | USD 674 mn | 3.0% | USD 942 mn | 3.4% |
| 10 | Indonesia | USD 674 mn | 3.0% | USD 1.2 bn | 6.1% |
| 11 | South Korea | USD 634 mn | 2.8% | USD 914 mn | 3.7% |
| 12 | Canada | USD 431 mn | 1.9% | USD 673 mn | 4.5% |
| 13 | Spain | USD 346 mn | 1.5% | USD 541 mn | 4.6% |
| 14 | Turkey | USD 294 mn | 1.3% | USD 509 mn | 5.6% |
| 15 | Russia | USD 261 mn | 1.2% | USD 377 mn | 3.8% |
| 16 | Australia | USD 236 mn | 1.1% | USD 370 mn | 4.6% |
| 17 | Netherlands | USD 218 mn | 1.0% | USD 314 mn | 3.7% |
| 18 | Poland | USD 202 mn | 0.9% | USD 318 mn | 4.6% |
| 19 | Thailand | USD 189 mn | 0.8% | USD 328 mn | 5.7% |
| 20 | Saudi Arabia | USD 177 mn | 0.8% | USD 307 mn | 5.6% |
| 21 | Vietnam | USD 169 mn | 0.8% | USD 290 mn | 5.6% |
| 22 | Taiwan | USD 162 mn | 0.7% | USD 251 mn | 4.5% |
| 23 | Switzerland | USD 155 mn | 0.7% | USD 223 mn | 3.7% |
| 24 | Belgium | USD 148 mn | 0.7% | USD 213 mn | 3.7% |
| 25 | Argentina | USD 142 mn | 0.6% | USD 220 mn | 4.5% |
| Rest of world | USD 1.9 bn | 8.2% | USD 2.9 bn | 4.5% |
Source: Compare Market Research analysis.
© 2026 Compare Market Research. All rights reserved.
Competitive landscape
Group 1: Global leaders
- Mondi
- International Paper
- Smurfit Westrock
- Stora Enso
- Nine Dragons Paper
- Klabin
- Georgia-Pacific
- Oji Holdings
Group 2: Regional and specialist players
- Billerud
- Segezha Group
- Gascogne
- Nordic Paper
- Lee & Man Paper
- Sappi
- Cascades
- Rengo
Group 3: Emerging and niche players
- Twin Rivers Paper
- Ahlstrom
- Delfort
- Seshasayee Paper and Boards
Research methodology
Every figure on this page comes from the research framework that we apply to all of the markets we cover. The 2025 base for the kraft paper market is built from the volume sold and the price that buyers pay, and is cross-checked against the size of the wider industry the market belongs to. Where a market can be sized in more than one way, the routes are compared before a figure is set.
The forecast runs year by year from the 2025 base to 2036. Growth in each year reflects demand from the industries that buy the product, adoption of new technology, pricing, regulation and replacement cycles. Volume and price are modelled together, so revenue in each year equals volume multiplied by average price. The 2026 to 2036 compound annual growth rate of 4.5% is calculated from the resulting values.
The market is divided by grade, by end use, by basis weight, by pulp source, by paper type. The 25 largest countries are ranked by revenue earned from sales to buyers in each country, not by where the product is made. Segment values and country values add up to the market total in every year, and every report is checked for consistency before it is published.
Companies are placed in three groups: global leaders, regional and specialist players, and emerging and niche players. The groups describe how companies compete in the market. They are not a ranking and they are not market shares.
Our analysts also carry out primary research. Customized reports add interviews with key opinion leaders, such as senior executives, technical specialists and buyers, to test the assumptions behind the numbers for the question being asked.
Frequently asked questions
How big is the kraft paper market?
The global kraft paper market is estimated at USD 21.5 bn in 2025 and USD 22.5 bn in 2026.
How fast will the kraft paper market grow?
It is forecast to reach USD 34.9 bn by 2036, a compound annual growth rate of 4.5% from 2026, an increase of USD 12.4 bn.
Which country is the largest market for kraft paper?
China is the largest market by revenue at USD 5.6 bn in 2026, 25.0% of the global total. The three largest countries together hold 50.0%.
Which country is growing fastest?
Among the ten largest markets, India is growing fastest at 7.0% a year from 2026 to 2036.
Which kraft paper segment is largest?
In the by grade split, Natural brown is the largest segment with 55.0% of 2026 revenue.
Who are the leading kraft paper companies?
Global leaders include Mondi, International Paper, Smurfit Westrock, Stora Enso.
Need the full report?
Request a sample to see the structure, tables and country detail.
Request a free sampleRelated markets in Packaging
- Stand Up PouchUSD 22.8 bn · 6.3% CAGR
- SacksUSD 20.9 bn · 4.5% CAGR
- Label PaperUSD 19.8 bn · 3.8% CAGR
- Aluminium Foil PackagingUSD 19.7 bn · 4.2% CAGR
- Active PackagingUSD 19.3 bn · 7.2% CAGR
- Coffee CapsulesUSD 19.1 bn · 5.5% CAGR
- Barcode LabelUSD 18.9 bn · 5.0% CAGR
- CrateUSD 18.8 bn · 4.6% CAGR