Cardboard prices skyrocket due to 'Amazon effect'

The price of cardboard has risen exponentially since the start of the pandemic, as the boom in e-commerce has sharply increased the demand for cardboard.

Brexit and China

According to Charged Retail, companies having difficulties sourcing new cardboard in Great Britain and are facing disruptions to their supply chain. Consequently, the prices for cardboard have increased more than tenfold since the outbreak of the Covid-19 crisis. In addition to the increased demand for cardboard as a result of booming e-commerce, Brexit has also played a major role in the price hike: the British are particularly dependent on the EU for recycled cardboard, and border controls have dramatically increased lead times.

However, the issue is not just confined to the United Kingdom: the global growth of online commerce has driven demand for cardboard packaging. According to Simon Ellin, managing director of the Recycling Association, the price is also boosted by a high demand for cardboard from China.