OCC Price Trend Q2 2026 | Global Price Trends, Forecast, Chart, Prices and Index

The OCC Price Trend in the second quarter of 2026 showed a clear upward movement across major global markets. Old Corrugated Containers (OCC), which mainly consist of used cardboard boxes and corrugated packaging waste, are an important raw material for producing recycled paper and packaging boards.

As demand for packaging continues to grow, recycled cardboard has become an essential part of the paper industry. During Q2 2026, global OCC prices increased by approximately 12% compared with the first quarter, supported by stronger demand, limited supply availability, and higher transportation, energy, and processing costs.

The increase in OCC prices was visible in several important markets, including the USA, India, Spain, the UK, China, Indonesia, and Vietnam. Although the size of the increase differed from one country to another, the overall market direction remained positive.

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Packaging manufacturers and paper mills continued to purchase recovered cardboard to maintain production, while suppliers faced higher collection and delivery expenses. These conditions created a firm market environment and influenced the global OCC Price Chart throughout the quarter.

Understanding the OCC Price Trend in Q2 2026

OCC is widely used in the production of recycled containerboard, corrugated boxes, and other packaging materials. Many businesses depend on this recovered material because it helps reduce waste and supports the reuse of paper fibres. From supermarkets and food producers to online retailers and industrial manufacturers, many industries rely on cardboard packaging for storage, transportation, and product delivery.

In Q2 2026, the global OCC Price Trend reflected a combination of healthy consumption and limited feedstock availability. Packaging demand remained steady across e-commerce, fast-moving consumer goods, food, agriculture, pharmaceuticals, and industrial applications. This encouraged paper mills to maintain regular procurement and secure enough recovered paper for their operations.

At the same time, the collection of used cardboard did not increase quickly enough to meet all purchasing requirements. Collection volumes, transportation difficulties, sorting expenses, and higher operating costs limited the flexibility of suppliers. As a result, buyers often had to accept higher prices to secure the material they needed.

Another important factor was the increase in freight and fuel costs. International buyers importing OCC from overseas markets faced additional expenses because shipping, marine fuel, and inland transportation became more costly. Geopolitical tensions and disruptions around important shipping routes added uncertainty to international trade. Together, these factors supported higher prices across the major OCC markets during the quarter.

USA OCC Price Trend: Prices Increase by 12%

The USA OCC market recorded an increase of approximately 12% in Q2 2026 compared with Q1 2026. The price movement was mainly supported by healthy demand from domestic paper mills and international buyers.

US containerboard manufacturers continued to purchase recovered cardboard to support packaging production. Demand from e-commerce, food delivery, consumer goods, pharmaceuticals, and industrial packaging remained firm. As more businesses required cardboard boxes and protective packaging, mills maintained their interest in securing sufficient OCC supplies.

However, collection volumes remained relatively tight across several major regions. This limited the availability of recovered cardboard and encouraged suppliers to maintain stronger selling offers. Higher fuel, energy, handling, and transportation costs also increased the expenses associated with collecting and delivering OCC.

Export demand provided additional support to the US market. Asian buyers continued to secure US-origin recovered cardboard, creating competition for available cargoes. International freight expenses and uncertainty around shipping routes also influenced purchasing decisions.

In June 2026, US FOB Savannah OCC Grade 11 prices increased by around 4% compared with May. This monthly increase indicated that the upward movement continued toward the end of the quarter. Overall, the US market remained firm as domestic consumption, export demand, and limited availability supported the OCC Price Trend.

India OCC Price Trend: Prices Rise by 21%

India recorded one of the strongest increases among the markets covered, with OCC Prices rising by approximately 21% in Q2 2026 compared with Q1 2026. The increase reflected strong demand from paper mills, higher import expenses, and competition for suitable recovered paper supplies.

India's packaging sector continued to support OCC consumption. Growing requirements from e-commerce, food, agriculture, consumer goods, and industrial businesses encouraged paper mills to secure imported cardboard. Recovered paper is an important input for recycled containerboard production, making consistent supply essential for mills seeking to maintain stable operations.

Imported OCC from the USA became more expensive as global recovered paper prices and freight costs increased. Higher bunker fuel expenses, transportation charges, and shipping uncertainty added to the total landed cost for Indian buyers. Relatively tight availability of US-origin OCC also encouraged suppliers to maintain firm offers.

Competition among Asian importers contributed further support to international prices. Buyers needed to balance purchasing costs against the risk of running short of raw materials. This encouraged continued procurement despite higher prices.

In June 2026, India CFR Nhava Sheva OCC Grade 11 prices increased by approximately 0.14% compared with May. The small monthly change suggests that prices were relatively stable at the end of the quarter after the much larger overall quarterly increase.

The Indian market therefore remained firm in Q2 2026, with import costs, packaging demand, and supply constraints playing important roles in the overall OCC Price Trend.

Spain OCC Price Trend: Prices Increase by 16%

Spain's OCC market experienced an increase of approximately 16% in Q2 2026 compared with the previous quarter. Higher operating costs and steady demand from packaging manufacturers were the main factors behind this movement.

Spanish recyclers and suppliers faced increasing expenses related to collection, sorting, energy, and transportation. These activities are necessary to turn used cardboard into suitable recovered paper for industrial use. When the cost of performing these activities rises, suppliers generally face greater pressure to adjust their selling prices.

Demand from containerboard and corrugated packaging producers remained healthy. E-commerce deliveries, food packaging, consumer goods, and industrial transportation continued to create demand for cardboard boxes and related materials.

Supply availability was moderately tight because collection volumes did not fully meet purchasing requirements. This encouraged suppliers to maintain firmer offers, while paper mills continued to manage inventories carefully to avoid unnecessary purchasing costs.

Freight and logistics expenses also contributed to higher prices. In June 2026, Spain FOB Barcelona OCC Grade 95/5 prices increased by around 4% compared with May. The increase reflected continued firmness in the market toward the end of the quarter.

Overall, the Spanish market benefited from stable packaging demand and disciplined procurement, while higher operating expenses and limited availability strengthened the OCC Price Trend.

UK OCC Price Trend: Prices Rise by 17%

The UK OCC market recorded an increase of approximately 17% in Q2 2026 compared with Q1 2026. The market remained firm as packaging demand continued and the cost of collecting and processing recovered cardboard increased.

OCC is widely used in recycled paper and corrugated packaging production. Demand from food businesses, e-commerce retailers, consumer goods manufacturers, and industrial companies helped support purchasing activity during the quarter.

At the same time, UK suppliers and recyclers faced higher energy, fuel, collection, sorting, and transportation costs. These expenses affected the overall cost of preparing recovered cardboard for sale. Collection volumes also remained insufficient to fully satisfy mill requirements, limiting the amount of material readily available in the market.

Paper mills continued securing recovered paper to maintain containerboard production. Export demand also supported stronger supplier offers, while cautious inventory management helped maintain a firm market balance.

In June 2026, UK domestic OCC Grade 95/5 prices increased by around 4% compared with May. This indicated continued upward momentum during the final month of the quarter.

The UK market's performance demonstrated how stable packaging consumption, higher operating expenses, and relatively tight availability can combine to push OCC prices higher over a short period.

China OCC Price Trend: Prices Increase by 10%

China's domestic OCC market recorded an increase of approximately 10% in Q2 2026 compared with Q1 2026. Improved purchasing activity, higher operating costs, and limited supply availability supported the increase.

Demand from packaging, e-commerce, fast-moving consumer goods, and consumer product industries remained healthy. These sectors use substantial quantities of cardboard packaging, creating regular demand for recovered paper. Paper mills increased procurement to secure enough feedstock for containerboard production and maintain stable operating rates.

Collection centres and recycling facilities faced higher costs related to transportation, energy, processing, and material handling. These expenses influenced selling decisions and contributed to firmer prices. Meanwhile, available collection volumes were not sufficient to meet all mill requirements, supporting stronger purchasing prices.

Market participants also remained careful about inventory management. Mills needed to maintain adequate raw material stocks without purchasing too much at elevated prices, while collection centres had reasons to avoid selling material too cheaply when supply was limited.

In June 2026, China's Waste Yellow Cardboard Grade A prices increased by around 8% compared with May. This was a relatively strong monthly increase and showed that upward price pressure remained noticeable at the end of the quarter.

China's OCC market therefore experienced a firm Q2 2026, supported by steady packaging consumption, increased procurement, higher processing expenses, and limited supply growth.

Indonesia OCC Price Trend: Prices Rise by 19%

Indonesia's imported OCC market recorded an increase of approximately 19% in Q2 2026 compared with Q1 2026. Higher import costs and steady demand from local paper mills were the main reasons for the increase.

Packaging demand from e-commerce, food, consumer goods, and industrial businesses continued to support recovered paper consumption. Indonesian mills purchased imported OCC to maintain adequate raw material supplies for containerboard and packaging production.

US-origin OCC availability remained relatively tight, while competition among Asian buyers supported firmer export offers. Higher global recovered paper costs also increased the purchase price of imported material.

Transportation and shipping expenses added further pressure. Rising bunker fuel costs, freight charges, and uncertainty around major shipping routes increased the total cost of bringing recovered paper into Indonesia. Longer transit times also made purchasing and inventory planning more challenging.

In June 2026, Indonesia CFR Jakarta OCC Grade 11 prices increased by around 0.13% compared with May. This small monthly movement indicated that prices were broadly stable during June, following the substantial increase recorded over the full quarter.

The Indonesian market remained firm in Q2 2026, with import expenses, international supply conditions, and continued mill procurement supporting the overall OCC Price Trend.

Vietnam OCC Price Trend: Prices Increase by 19%

Vietnam's imported OCC market also recorded an increase of approximately 19% in Q2 2026 compared with Q1 2026. The increase reflected healthy demand from packaging manufacturers and higher expenses associated with imported recovered paper.

Vietnamese paper mills continued to secure OCC to support containerboard production. Demand from e-commerce, food, consumer goods, and industrial packaging remained steady, encouraging mills to maintain regular procurement and protect their production schedules.

However, imported OCC supplies remained relatively tight. Strong demand from several Asian markets increased competition for suitable recovered cardboard, particularly material sourced from the USA. This supported firmer supplier offers and reduced the opportunity for buyers to negotiate lower prices.

Freight rates, marine fuel expenses, and transportation costs also contributed to higher import prices. Shipping disruptions and geopolitical uncertainty added pressure to international logistics, increasing the cost and complexity of purchasing recovered paper from overseas suppliers.

In June 2026, Vietnam CFR Haiphong OCC Grade 11 prices increased by around 0.13% compared with May. The small monthly increase suggested a relatively stable market during June, despite the much stronger quarterly rise.

Overall, Vietnam's market remained firm in Q2 2026 as packaging demand, import costs, and constrained international availability continued to influence OCC prices.

OCC Price Chart: What the Q2 2026 Movement Shows

The OCC Price Chart for Q2 2026 highlights a broadly positive direction across the seven markets covered. However, the size of the increase varied depending on local demand, supply conditions, operating expenses, and the cost of importing or exporting recovered paper.

India recorded the largest quarterly increase at approximately 21%, followed by Indonesia and Vietnam at around 19% each. The UK market rose by approximately 17%, while Spain increased by 16%. The USA recorded an increase of around 12%, and China experienced a more moderate quarterly rise of approximately 10%.

These figures show that there was no single reason behind the global increase. In importing markets, freight expenses and international procurement costs played a particularly important role. In domestic and export-oriented markets, collection costs, local availability, and mill purchasing activity had a stronger influence.

Monthly movements also differed. The USA, Spain, and the UK each recorded increases of around 4% in June compared with May. China recorded a stronger monthly increase of approximately 8%. In contrast, India, Indonesia, and Vietnam experienced much smaller monthly increases of around 0.14%, 0.13%, and 0.13%, respectively.

These monthly figures should be understood alongside the full quarterly changes. A small increase in June does not cancel out a large rise earlier in the quarter. Instead, it may indicate that the market was stabilising after a period of significant price growth.

OCC Price Index: Understanding the Main Market Drivers

An OCC Price Index helps market participants understand changes in recovered cardboard prices over time. It can be used to compare price movements across different periods or markets, provided the underlying grades, locations, and pricing terms are consistent.

During Q2 2026, several factors influenced the direction of the OCC Price Index.

First, packaging demand remained an important source of support. Online shopping, food deliveries, consumer goods distribution, and industrial transportation all depend on cardboard packaging. When these activities remain healthy, paper mills generally need more recovered paper to maintain production.

Second, supply availability played a major role. OCC depends on the collection of used cardboard from households, retailers, warehouses, and businesses. Even when recycling activity remains steady, collection and sorting limitations can prevent supply from increasing quickly enough to meet demand.

Third, operating expenses increased. Fuel, electricity, labour-related activities, collection, sorting, and transportation all contribute to the final cost of recovered cardboard. Higher expenses can place upward pressure on prices throughout the supply chain.

Fourth, international trade conditions influenced imported OCC prices. Freight costs, shipping delays, and geopolitical uncertainty affected buyers purchasing material from overseas markets. Import-dependent countries were particularly exposed to these changes because their final purchase costs included both the price of the material and the expenses required to deliver it.

For an accurate comparison, an OCC Price Index should use consistent grade specifications and pricing bases. FOB prices generally refer to material priced for export at the named shipping point, while CFR prices include the cost of the material and freight to the named destination. Domestic prices follow their own market conventions. These differences matter when comparing prices across countries.

OCC Price Forecast: What Could Happen After Q2 2026?

The OCC price forecast for the coming quarters will depend on whether packaging demand remains strong and whether recovered cardboard supplies improve. The Q2 2026 increase provides a useful starting point, but it does not guarantee that prices will continue rising at the same pace.

If demand from e-commerce, food packaging, consumer goods, and industrial sectors remains healthy, paper mills may continue purchasing OCC at firm prices. Limited collection volumes could provide additional support, especially if mills need to secure material to maintain production.

Transportation and energy costs will also remain important factors to monitor. If freight rates and fuel expenses stay elevated, imported OCC may remain expensive for buyers in Asia. Continued shipping disruptions could add further uncertainty to procurement planning.

On the other hand, an improvement in collection volumes could help ease supply pressure. If more recovered cardboard becomes available while demand remains stable, buyers may find it easier to secure material and negotiate prices. A slowdown in packaging activity could also reduce purchasing requirements and limit further increases.

Another factor will be how mills manage their inventories. After a strong price increase, some buyers may become more cautious and avoid building excessive stocks. This could reduce immediate purchasing pressure, particularly if they already hold sufficient material.

Based on the Q2 2026 market conditions, the outlook can be described as cautiously firm rather than a guarantee of continued price increases. Buyers and suppliers should monitor monthly price changes, collection activity, freight expenses, mill operating rates, and international demand before making procurement decisions.

Factors Buyers and Suppliers Should Monitor

Businesses following the OCC Price Trend can benefit from paying attention to a few practical indicators.

Collection volumes: The amount of cardboard collected from retail, commercial, and industrial sources affects how much recovered material becomes available to the market.

Packaging demand: Changes in online shopping, food delivery, consumer goods sales, and industrial production can influence the quantity of cardboard required by manufacturers.

Freight and fuel costs: These expenses have a direct effect on the delivered cost of imported OCC and can change the competitiveness of overseas suppliers.

Paper mill procurement: When mills increase purchases to protect production schedules, available supplies can tighten and supplier offers may strengthen.

Inventory levels: Large inventories may reduce the need for immediate purchases, while low inventories can encourage buyers to secure material more quickly.

Grade quality: Differences in moisture, contamination, and the proportion of unwanted materials can affect the value and suitability of recovered cardboard. Buyers should compare equivalent grades rather than relying only on headline prices.

Monitoring these factors provides a more complete understanding of market conditions than looking at one price change in isolation.

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The global OCC Price Trend in Q2 2026 was firmly positive, with prices increasing by approximately 12% compared with Q1 2026. Strong packaging demand, relatively tight recovered paper availability, higher operating expenses, and rising transportation costs supported the increase across major markets.

India recorded the largest quarterly rise at approximately 21%, while Indonesia and Vietnam each increased by around 19%. The UK and Spain followed with increases of approximately 17% and 16%, respectively. The USA rose by around 12%, while China recorded a more moderate increase of approximately 10%.

The overall movement shows how closely the recovered cardboard market is connected to packaging demand, recycling activity, transportation, and international trade. Even when collection remains steady, limited supply growth and higher delivery costs can push prices upward.

Looking ahead, the OCC price forecast will depend on changes in demand, collection volumes, freight rates, energy costs, and paper mill purchasing activity. A continued supply shortage could keep the market firm, while better availability or weaker demand could reduce upward pressure.

For buyers, suppliers, recyclers, and packaging manufacturers, regularly tracking OCC prices, the OCC Price Chart, and the OCC Price Index can help improve market understanding and purchasing decisions. Although quarterly price increases offer useful insight into market direction, future movements should always be assessed against current supply and demand conditions. A balanced view of these factors will be essential for understanding the next stage of the global OCC market.

About Price Watch™

Price Watch™ is an India-based, independent raw material price reporting agency that provides real-time price forecasts and data-driven insights into global raw material markets. Price Watch™ specializes in tracking raw material prices, analyzing market trends, and delivering timely updates on plant shutdowns, supply disruptions, capacity expansions, and demand-supply dynamics. The Price Watch™ platform empowers manufacturers, traders, and procurement professionals to make faster, smarter decisions. Leveraging AI-powered forecasting and over a decade of historical data, Price Watch™ transforms market volatility into actionable opportunity.

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