The OCC Price Trend moved upward in the second quarter of 2026 as demand for recycled cardboard increased and supply remained relatively tight in major markets. Old Corrugated Containers (OCC) are an important raw material used to produce recycled paper, containerboard, and corrugated packaging.
These materials are widely used for e-commerce deliveries, food packaging, consumer goods, warehouses, and industrial shipments. During Q2 2026, global OCC prices increased because of higher collection expenses, transportation costs, energy prices, and international freight charges.
At the same time, steady demand from packaging manufacturers encouraged paper mills to purchase more recovered cardboard to maintain regular production.
According to the supplied market data, global OCC prices increased by approximately 12% in Q2 2026 compared with Q1 2026. However, the level of price growth differed from one country to another. India recorded the strongest quarterly increase among the seven markets covered in this article, followed by Indonesia and Vietnam.
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The United States and China experienced comparatively moderate growth. The OCC Price Chart for Q2 2026 highlights how packaging demand, material availability, and operating expenses influenced prices across domestic and international markets.
Understanding these changes can help paper manufacturers, recyclers, packaging businesses, and importers make better purchasing and inventory decisions.
What Is OCC and Why Is It Important?
OCC stands for Old Corrugated Containers. It mainly includes used corrugated cardboard boxes collected from homes, shops, warehouses, factories, distribution centres, and other commercial locations. Instead of being discarded, these boxes can be collected, sorted, processed, and recycled into new paper products.
OCC plays an important role in the recycling and packaging industries because it provides a source of recovered fibre for paper manufacturing. Businesses need cardboard boxes to store, protect, and transport their products. As e-commerce, food delivery, consumer goods distribution, and industrial shipping require regular packaging supplies, paper mills need a continuous supply of suitable recovered cardboard.
The price of OCC depends on several factors. These include the quantity of cardboard collected, the quality of recovered material, sorting and processing expenses, transportation costs, demand from paper mills, and international trade conditions.
When buyers need more recovered cardboard than suppliers can provide, prices may increase. Similarly, when fuel, electricity, and freight costs rise, suppliers face higher expenses throughout the collection and delivery process. These costs can eventually influence the prices paid by paper mills and packaging manufacturers.
Global OCC Price Trend in Q2 2026
The global OCC market recorded a strong upward movement during Q2 2026, with prices increasing by approximately 12% compared with the previous quarter. The increase reflected a combination of steady packaging demand, relatively limited supply, and rising operating costs across the recycling and paper manufacturing industries.
Demand remained healthy across e-commerce, fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG), food, pharmaceuticals, agriculture, and industrial applications. These sectors depend on cardboard packaging to store, protect, and deliver products. As a result, paper mills continued purchasing recovered cardboard to maintain containerboard production and meet packaging requirements.
However, collection volumes did not increase enough to meet all purchasing requirements. Although recycling and collection activities continued, logistical difficulties and higher handling expenses limited the availability of OCC in some markets. Suppliers therefore maintained firmer selling offers.
International transportation also influenced the market. Higher marine fuel expenses, freight charges, and uncertainty around major shipping routes increased the cost of moving recovered paper between countries. Importers had to consider the cost of the material as well as the expenses associated with shipping, handling, and delivery.
Overall, the Q2 2026 OCC Price Trend reflected a market supported by resilient demand, relatively tight availability, and higher operating expenses.
Country-Wise OCC Price Trend in Q2 2026
The following sections explain the price movements in the United States, India, Spain, the United Kingdom, China, Indonesia, and Vietnam. The quarterly changes compare Q2 2026 with Q1 2026, while the June changes compare June 2026 with May 2026.
USA OCC Price Trend: Q2 2026
The United States OCC market recorded a price increase of approximately 12% in Q2 2026 compared with Q1. Demand from food packaging, e-commerce, pharmaceuticals, FMCG, and industrial businesses supported purchasing activity among containerboard mills.
Paper manufacturers required a regular supply of recovered cardboard to maintain production and fulfil packaging orders. However, collection volumes remained relatively tight in several regions, limiting the amount of material available to buyers. This encouraged suppliers to maintain stronger offers for export-grade OCC.
Transportation, fuel, energy, and freight expenses added further pressure. Exporters also faced uncertainty related to international shipping conditions, while Asian buyers continued purchasing US-origin recovered paper.
In June 2026, US FOB Savannah OCC Grade 11 prices increased by around 4% compared with May. This continued monthly increase indicated that the market remained firm toward the end of the quarter.
The future direction of US OCC Prices will depend on domestic collection volumes, paper mill purchasing activity, export demand, and transportation expenses. If supply improves while demand remains steady, price pressure could ease. However, continued competition for available material could keep prices supported.
India OCC Price Trend: Q2 2026
India recorded the largest quarterly increase among the seven markets covered in this article. OCC prices increased by approximately 21% in Q2 2026 compared with Q1, reflecting strong demand and higher import costs.
Demand from e-commerce, food packaging, agriculture, FMCG, and industrial applications encouraged paper mills to secure additional recovered paper. Imported OCC remained an important raw material for mills seeking a regular supply of suitable fibre for containerboard production.
At the same time, US-origin OCC availability remained relatively tight. Competition among Asian buyers supported firmer supplier offers, while higher bunker fuel, freight, and transportation expenses increased the landed cost of imported material at Nhava Sheva.
Shipping uncertainty also affected procurement planning. Importers had to consider shipment schedules, delivery times, and the possibility of changing freight expenses when arranging purchases.
Despite the substantial quarterly increase, India CFR OCC Grade 11 prices rose by only around 0.14% in June compared with May. This suggests that the monthly movement was relatively small after the earlier quarterly rise.
For Indian buyers, monitoring international freight rates, exchange-rate movements, overseas supply, and domestic packaging demand will remain important. These factors can influence the final cost of imported OCC even when the material price changes only slightly.
Spain OCC Price Trend: Q2 2026
Spain’s OCC prices increased by approximately 16% in Q2 2026 compared with the previous quarter. Higher collection, sorting, energy, and transportation costs increased operating expenses for recyclers and suppliers.
Demand from corrugated packaging manufacturers remained healthy, supported by e-commerce, food distribution, FMCG, and industrial applications. However, recovered cardboard availability did not fully match purchasing requirements, encouraging suppliers to maintain firmer export offers.
Higher freight and logistics expenses also supported FOB Barcelona pricing. European paper mills continued purchasing recovered paper while managing inventories carefully to maintain regular production.
In June 2026, Spain FOB OCC Grade 95/5 prices increased by around 4% compared with May. This continued movement indicated that the market remained firm toward the end of Q2.
Looking ahead, Spanish OCC prices will depend on collection volumes, energy expenses, paper mill demand, and export activity. Improved supply and lower operating costs could reduce price pressure, while continued demand and limited availability could keep the market supported.
UK OCC Price Trend: Q2 2026
The United Kingdom’s domestic OCC market recorded an increase of approximately 17% in Q2 2026 compared with Q1. Demand from packaging manufacturers, online retailers, food businesses, and industrial users supported recovered paper consumption.
Recycling and collection operations faced higher expenses for sorting, energy, fuel, and transportation. Meanwhile, available OCC volumes were insufficient to fully meet mill purchasing requirements, helping suppliers maintain firmer prices.
Paper mills continued securing recovered cardboard to support containerboard production. Export demand also contributed to supplier confidence, while higher logistics costs added pressure to domestic market pricing.
In June 2026, UK FD OCC Grade 95/5 prices increased by around 4% compared with May. This indicated that upward price momentum continued throughout the quarter.
For UK market participants, the relationship between domestic collection rates, mill operating requirements, export demand, and processing costs will be important in determining future price movements.
China OCC Price Trend: Q2 2026
China recorded a quarterly OCC price increase of approximately 10% in Q2 2026 compared with Q1. Demand from e-commerce, consumer goods, packaging, and industrial sectors supported the consumption of recovered cardboard.
Paper mills increased procurement to secure adequate feedstock for containerboard production. However, collection volumes remained relatively tight compared with purchasing requirements, and collection centres were cautious about accepting lower selling prices.
Higher transportation, energy, and processing costs also contributed to the increase. These expenses affected the movement of recovered cardboard from collection points to recycling centres and paper mills.
China recorded a particularly strong monthly movement in June. Waste Yellow Cardboard Grade A prices increased by around 8% compared with May, the largest June increase among the seven markets covered here.
The Chinese domestic OCC market therefore showed moderate quarterly growth but stronger short-term momentum toward the end of Q2. Future prices will depend on collection activity, mill procurement, packaging demand, and the cost of moving recovered material through the supply chain.
Indonesia OCC Price Trend: Q2 2026
Indonesia’s imported OCC prices increased by approximately 19% in Q2 2026 compared with Q1. Demand from packaging, food, e-commerce, FMCG, and industrial sectors supported purchasing activity among local paper mills.
Indonesian manufacturers increased procurement to maintain an adequate supply of recovered cardboard for containerboard production. However, US-origin OCC availability remained relatively tight, while competition from other Asian buyers supported supplier pricing.
Freight charges, bunker fuel expenses, and transportation costs increased the landed cost of imported material at Jakarta. Shipping disruptions and longer transit times also created uncertainty for importers planning deliveries.
In June 2026, Indonesia CFR OCC Grade 11 prices increased by around 0.13% compared with May. This small monthly movement suggests that prices were relatively stable during the final month of the quarter, even though the overall quarterly increase remained substantial.
Importers will need to monitor freight rates, overseas supplier offers, shipment schedules, and local packaging demand when planning future purchases. Any significant change in these factors could influence the cost of imported recovered paper.
Vietnam OCC Price Trend: Q2 2026
Vietnam’s imported OCC prices increased by approximately 19% in Q2 2026 compared with Q1. Demand from e-commerce, food packaging, FMCG, and industrial sectors supported regular recovered paper consumption.
Paper mills increased purchases of imported OCC to secure sufficient raw materials and maintain stable production. At the same time, tighter international availability and competition among Asian buyers supported stronger supplier offers.
Higher marine fuel expenses, freight charges, and transportation costs increased the overall cost of importing OCC through Haiphong. Shipping uncertainty also affected transit times and made inventory planning more difficult.
In June 2026, Vietnam CFR OCC Grade 11 prices increased by around 0.13% compared with May. This was a small monthly increase following the stronger quarterly rise.
The future direction of Vietnam’s OCC prices will depend on import availability, freight costs, supplier offers, and demand from domestic packaging manufacturers. Stable shipping conditions and improved material availability could reduce cost pressure, while stronger demand or renewed logistics disruptions could support prices.
Key Factors Affecting OCC Prices in Q2 2026
Several common factors influenced OCC prices across the seven markets during Q2 2026.
1. Strong Demand for Packaging
E-commerce deliveries, food packaging, consumer goods, pharmaceuticals, and industrial shipments continued to support demand for corrugated boxes. Paper mills required recovered cardboard to manufacture new packaging materials, helping maintain purchasing activity.
When packaging manufacturers receive regular orders, they need to secure sufficient raw materials. This can increase competition for available OCC, particularly when collection volumes do not grow at the same pace as demand.
2. Limited Collection Volumes
The supply of recovered cardboard depends on collection activity, sorting capacity, transportation networks, and the amount of cardboard entering the recycling system.
During Q2 2026, collection volumes did not fully meet demand in several markets. This limited availability encouraged suppliers to maintain firm prices. Even when recycling activity continues, supply can remain tight if recovered material is difficult or expensive to collect and transport.
3. Higher Transportation and Freight Costs
OCC must be collected, sorted, processed, stored, and transported before it reaches a paper mill. Higher fuel prices increase the cost of moving material between collection centres, recycling facilities, ports, and manufacturing plants.
Imported OCC is particularly sensitive to international freight expenses. When shipping costs rise, importers may face higher landed prices even if the material’s original selling price changes only slightly.
4. Rising Energy and Processing Expenses
Recycling centres and paper mills use energy and equipment to process recovered paper. Higher electricity, fuel, and other operating expenses can increase the cost of preparing OCC for reuse.
Suppliers may adjust their offers to account for these additional expenses. As a result, operating costs can influence OCC prices even when demand remains relatively stable.
5. International Shipping Uncertainty
Geopolitical tensions and disruptions around major shipping routes increased uncertainty in international recovered paper trade during the quarter.
Longer transit times and higher freight charges encouraged buyers and sellers to manage inventories carefully. Importers may also need to arrange purchases earlier or maintain additional stocks when shipment schedules become less predictable.
6. Purchasing and Inventory Strategies
Paper mills need sufficient recovered paper to maintain production, but they must also manage working capital and storage expenses.
When mills expect supply difficulties, they may increase procurement to protect their production schedules. If several buyers follow the same approach, competition for available OCC can increase. On the other hand, cautious purchasing and adequate inventory can reduce immediate buying pressure.
OCC Price Chart: Understanding the Q2 2026 Market
An OCC Price Chart helps readers understand how prices change across different periods and locations. For Q2 2026, the supplied percentage changes show that all seven selected markets recorded increases compared with Q1.
India recorded the largest quarterly increase at 21%. Indonesia and Vietnam followed at 19% each. The UK recorded a 17% increase, while Spain rose by 16%. The United States increased by 12%, and China recorded a 10% quarterly increase.
The monthly changes in June provide another useful perspective. China recorded an increase of 8% compared with May. The United States, Spain, and the UK each increased by around 4%. India, Indonesia, and Vietnam recorded much smaller monthly changes of 0.14%, 0.13%, and 0.13%, respectively.
These figures show that quarterly price growth and monthly price momentum are not necessarily the same. A market can experience a substantial increase over three months while recording only a small change in the final month.
It is also important to remember that the markets use different grades and price bases. FOB prices generally refer to goods priced for export at the named port, while CFR prices include the cost of goods and freight to the named destination port. Domestic prices use their own market-specific terms.
Therefore, the percentage changes are useful for comparing the direction of price movements, but they should not be used to compare absolute price levels without additional information.
OCC Price Index: How to Understand Market Changes
An OCC Price Index helps buyers, sellers, recyclers, and manufacturers track price movements over time. It can show whether prices are rising, falling, or remaining relatively stable.
A reliable index requires a consistent grade, location, currency, pricing basis, and collection method. Without these details, comparisons can become misleading because OCC prices vary according to material quality, delivery terms, and regional market conditions.
For example, Q1 2026 can be assigned a hypothetical index value of 100. If a market’s price increases by 12% in Q2, its corresponding index value becomes 112. If another market rises by 21%, its illustrative index value becomes 121.
These values are calculated examples based on the supplied quarterly percentage changes. They are not official index readings or actual price quotations.
A properly maintained OCC Price Index can help businesses compare periods, review procurement costs, and identify changes in market conditions. It can also support budgeting and contract discussions when the underlying price data is consistent and transparent.
For international buyers, it is especially important to distinguish between a change in the original OCC price and a change in the total landed cost. Freight charges, insurance where applicable, currency movements, port expenses, and other import costs may influence the amount ultimately paid.
OCC Price Forecast: What Could Happen After Q2 2026?
The OCC price forecast for the coming months will depend on how supply, demand, and operating expenses develop. The Q2 2026 figures show that prices increased across all seven selected markets, but they do not guarantee that the same direction or rate of growth will continue.
If packaging demand remains healthy and recovered cardboard collection fails to increase sufficiently, OCC prices could remain supported. Paper mills may continue securing material to avoid interruptions in production, while suppliers could maintain firm offers if their collection and transportation expenses remain high.
On the other hand, improved collection volumes, lower freight rates, and reduced competition for recovered paper could ease price pressure. If packaging demand weakens, paper mills may also reduce purchasing activity or manage their inventories more cautiously.
Import-dependent markets such as India, Indonesia, and Vietnam will remain sensitive to international freight rates, overseas availability, and shipping conditions. Domestic markets such as China and the UK will also be influenced by local collection volumes, processing expenses, and paper mill demand.
The outlook for each country may therefore differ. A decline in freight costs could provide relief to importers even if domestic demand remains firm. Similarly, stronger collection activity could improve supply without requiring a major change in packaging consumption.
Businesses should treat the forecast as a set of possible market scenarios rather than a guaranteed prediction. The supplied quarterly figures are useful for understanding recent trends, but reliable price targets would require additional information, including actual prices per tonne, historical data, current supply conditions, and future demand estimates.
What OCC Buyers and Sellers Should Monitor
Businesses involved in recovered paper trade can improve purchasing decisions by tracking several practical indicators.
First, they should monitor collection volumes and material quality. A larger quantity of suitable recovered cardboard can improve availability, while shortages of clean, properly sorted material may support stronger prices.
Second, transportation and freight expenses should be reviewed regularly. These costs are particularly important for importers because they can change the final delivered price even when the underlying material price remains stable.
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Third, paper mill operating rates and packaging orders can provide useful information about demand. Strong purchasing activity may indicate that mills are securing feedstock for continued production, while weaker orders may reduce immediate buying pressure.
Finally, businesses should compare prices on a consistent basis. Differences in grade, moisture or contamination requirements, port, delivery terms, and currency can make two apparently similar OCC quotations difficult to compare directly.
Using a consistent price reference and regularly reviewing supplier offers can help businesses understand whether a change reflects the recovered paper market itself or an increase in associated expenses.
The OCC Price Trend in Q2 2026 showed a broad increase across the seven selected markets. Global OCC prices strengthened by approximately 12% compared with Q1, supported by steady packaging demand, relatively tight recovered cardboard availability, and higher transportation, energy, and freight expenses.
India recorded the largest quarterly increase at 21%, followed by Indonesia and Vietnam at 19% each. The UK rose by 17%, Spain by 16%, the United States by 12%, and China by 10%. June movements varied across the markets, with China recording the strongest monthly increase at 8%, while the United States, Spain, and the UK each increased by around 4%. India, Indonesia, and Vietnam experienced much smaller monthly changes.
The Q2 2026 OCC Price Chart highlights the importance of considering local market conditions instead of relying on a single global percentage. Prices depend on recovered paper availability, collection and processing expenses, import costs, freight rates, and paper mill purchasing strategies.
Looking ahead, businesses should monitor packaging demand, collection volumes, shipping conditions, and operating expenses when planning purchases. A consistently calculated OCC Price Index can also help track market movements over time and support better cost comparisons.
Although the OCC price forecast remains uncertain, the Q2 2026 results show how closely recovered cardboard prices are connected to the everyday costs of collecting, transporting, and recycling packaging materials. For buyers and sellers, understanding these factors is essential for making informed decisions in a changing OCC market.
About Price-Watchβ’
Price Watchβ’ 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 Watchβ’ 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 Watchβ’ platform empowers manufacturers, traders, and procurement professionals to make faster, smarter decisions. Leveraging AI-powered forecasting and over a decade of historical data, Price Watchβ’ transforms market volatility into actionable opportunity.
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