Empapel

Empapel lifts 2026 growth forecast for Brazil's paper and packaging sector to 1.9%

Brazilian trade body Empapel has raised its 2026 growth forecast for the country's paper and corrugated packaging sector to 1.9%, against the 0.6% the FGV estimated at the end of 2025, after first-half output beat expectations. Chief executive Jose Carlos da Fonseca Junior attributed the gain to food-related demand, including meat shipments to China brought forward ahead of an annual Chinese import quota. He cited household debt and high interest rates as constraints on domestic consumption.

Why this mattersFood demand, more than 60% of Brazilian corrugated output, is proving resilient enough to lift volumes even as household purchasing power stays under pressure.

• Empapel revised its 2026 growth forecast for Brazil's paper and corrugated packaging sector to 1.9%, from the 0.6% FGV estimated at end-2025
• Food products account for more than 60% of production tracked by the Brazilian Corrugated Board Index (IBPO), with food at 51.21% and fruit and vegetables at 8.3%
• Brazilian meat exporters brought forward shipments to China early in 2026 ahead of an annual Chinese import quota, concentrating packaging demand in the first half
• Empapel cites household debt and high interest rates as constraints on domestic consumption
• Brazil is the world's largest pulp exporter, sixth-largest producer of corrugated paper and seventh in overall paper production, according to Empapel
• China is the largest destination for Brazilian pulp exports and is expanding its own pulp and paper capacity

Relevant to you? Yes No