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 packaging materials, are an important source of raw material for the paper and packaging industry.
As businesses continue to depend on cardboard packaging for shipping, storage, food delivery, and online shopping, the demand for recovered paper remains closely connected to everyday economic activity. During Q2 2026, global OCC prices increased as demand remained strong, available supplies were relatively tight, and transportation and operating costs continued to rise.
Compared with the first quarter of 2026, the global OCC market recorded an increase of approximately 12%. However, the level of price growth was not the same in every country. India experienced a stronger increase, while the United States, China, Spain, the United Kingdom, Indonesia, and Vietnam also recorded higher prices.
These movements show how local demand, international trade, collection activity, and freight expenses can influence the price of recycled cardboard.
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Understanding the OCC Price Trend is useful for paper manufacturers, packaging businesses, recyclers, procurement teams, and traders. By following the OCC Price Chart, market participants can better understand recent price movements and prepare for possible changes in purchasing costs.
Understanding OCC and Its Importance in the Paper Industry
OCC stands for Old Corrugated Containers. In simple terms, it refers to used corrugated cardboard boxes collected from homes, shops, warehouses, factories, and distribution centres. These boxes are sorted, processed, and recycled into new paper products, including containerboard and corrugated packaging.
The importance of OCC has increased as businesses look for practical ways to reuse materials and manage packaging waste. An online order, a supermarket delivery, or a shipment of industrial goods may eventually become a source of recovered cardboard. Once collected and processed, this material can return to the production cycle instead of being discarded.
For paper mills, OCC is an important raw material. When demand for cardboard packaging rises, mills may need to purchase more recovered paper to maintain production. If collection volumes cannot keep pace with this demand, suppliers may have less material available to sell, creating upward pressure on prices.
The same principle applies to costs. Collecting cardboard, sorting it, transporting it, and preparing it for recycling all require labour, fuel, electricity, equipment, and other resources. When these expenses increase, suppliers and recyclers may need to charge more to cover their operating costs.
These basic factors played an important role in shaping the global OCC market during Q2 2026.
Global OCC Price Trend in Q2 2026
The global OCC market strengthened during the second quarter of 2026, with prices increasing by approximately 12% compared with Q1 2026. The rise reflected a combination of healthy packaging demand, relatively limited supply, and higher operating expenses across the recovered paper supply chain.
Demand from e-commerce, fast-moving consumer goods, food packaging, pharmaceuticals, and industrial sectors remained supportive. Cardboard boxes are widely used to move products between manufacturers, warehouses, retailers, and customers. As these activities continue, paper mills need a steady supply of recovered cardboard to produce new packaging materials.
At the same time, the availability of OCC did not increase enough to fully meet purchasing requirements in several markets. Collection activity continued, but logistical difficulties and uneven supply limited the amount of material available to buyers. This encouraged suppliers to maintain firmer offers.
Transportation and energy costs added further pressure. Moving recovered paper from collection centres to recycling facilities and paper mills can be expensive, especially when fuel prices and freight charges rise. International shipments also faced uncertainty from geopolitical tensions and disruptions around major shipping routes.
As a result, the overall market remained firm throughout the quarter. Buyers focused on securing sufficient raw materials, while suppliers benefited from relatively strong demand and higher replacement costs.
OCC Prices in the United States: Q2 2026
The United States recorded an increase of approximately 12% in OCC Prices during Q2 2026 compared with Q1. The market was supported by steady demand from packaging manufacturers, food delivery businesses, pharmaceutical suppliers, e-commerce companies, and industrial users.
Containerboard mills continued purchasing recovered cardboard to support production. When mills maintain healthy operating rates, their need for raw materials remains strong. This creates consistent demand for OCC and can support higher supplier offers.
However, collection volumes remained relatively tight across important US regions. Even when cardboard recycling continues, the available quantity may not always match the needs of paper mills and export customers. This limited availability helped suppliers maintain firmer prices.
Higher fuel, energy, handling, and freight expenses also contributed to the increase. Export demand provided additional support, as Asian buyers continued purchasing US-origin OCC cargoes.
On a month-on-month basis, US FOB Savannah OCC Grade 11 (95%) prices increased by around 4% in June 2026 compared with May. This showed that upward price movement continued toward the end of the quarter.
Overall, the US market remained firm because of healthy domestic demand, limited supply availability, higher logistics expenses, and continued export interest.
OCC Prices in India: Q2 2026
India recorded one of the strongest increases among the markets covered in this analysis. Imported OCC prices at CFR Nhava Sheva from the United States rose by approximately 21% in Q2 2026 compared with Q1.
The increase was supported by demand from e-commerce, food packaging, agriculture, consumer goods, and industrial sectors. As businesses require more cartons for storing and transporting products, paper mills need sufficient recovered paper to maintain containerboard production.
Indian mills continued purchasing imported OCC to replenish inventories and secure the raw materials needed for manufacturing. When mills want to maintain stable production, they cannot always delay purchases until market conditions become more favourable.
Import costs were another important factor. Higher bunker fuel expenses, ocean freight charges, and transportation costs increased the overall cost of bringing recovered paper into India. Relatively tight availability of US-origin OCC and competition among Asian buyers also supported supplier offers.
Despite the significant quarterly increase, the market showed a much smaller movement at the end of the period. India CFR Nhava Sheva OCC Grade 11 prices increased by around 0.14% in June compared with May.
This suggests that prices remained firm but were nearly stable on a month-on-month basis in June. The overall quarterly increase reflected the combined impact of demand, import expenses, supply conditions, and purchasing activity.
OCC Prices in Spain: Q2 2026
Spain recorded an approximately 16% increase in OCC prices during Q2 2026 compared with the previous quarter. The market benefited from stable demand from corrugated packaging producers and businesses involved in food, consumer goods, e-commerce, and industrial distribution.
Recycling suppliers faced higher expenses related to collection, sorting, energy, and transportation. These activities are necessary to turn used cardboard into material suitable for paper manufacturing. When these costs rise, they can influence the prices suppliers are willing to accept.
Supply availability was also moderately tight. Collection volumes did not fully meet purchasing requirements, allowing suppliers to maintain firmer export offers. Meanwhile, paper and board manufacturers continued purchasing recovered paper to support their production needs.
Higher freight and logistics expenses added further support to the market. Buyers and sellers also remained cautious about inventory decisions as wider European recovered paper conditions continued to influence purchasing behaviour.
In June 2026, Spain FOB Barcelona OCC Grade 95/5 prices increased by around 4% compared with May.
The Spanish market therefore remained firm throughout Q2, with stronger prices reflecting steady packaging demand, rising operating costs, and limited availability of suitable recovered cardboard.
OCC Prices in the United Kingdom: Q2 2026
The United Kingdom recorded an increase of approximately 17% in OCC prices during Q2 2026 compared with Q1.
Demand from packaging, food, e-commerce, fast-moving consumer goods, and industrial sectors remained healthy. These industries depend on cardboard packaging for product protection, storage, and transportation. Their continued requirements supported steady purchasing by paper mills.
On the supply side, collection volumes were not sufficient to fully meet mill requirements in some cases. As a result, suppliers maintained firmer prices for available material.
Operating expenses also played a role. Collection vehicles, sorting facilities, recycling centres, and transportation networks all depend on fuel, energy, and labour. Higher expenses across these activities increased the cost of supplying recovered cardboard.
Domestic purchasing and export demand helped maintain a positive market tone. Paper mills continued securing OCC to support containerboard production, while suppliers responded to the combination of healthy demand and higher costs.
In June, UK domestic FD OCC Grade 95/5 prices increased by around 4% compared with May.
The UK market remained firm during the quarter, supported by packaging demand, relatively limited supply, and higher collection and logistics expenses.
OCC Prices in China: Q2 2026
China recorded an approximately 10% increase in OCC prices during Q2 2026 compared with Q1. Although the increase was smaller than those reported in several other markets, the domestic market still showed clear upward movement.
Demand from packaging, e-commerce, consumer goods, and fast-moving consumer goods supported recovered cardboard consumption. Paper mills required a steady supply of raw materials to produce containerboard and other packaging-related paper products.
Recycling centres and suppliers faced higher procurement, transportation, processing, and energy costs. These expenses influenced the prices required to collect and prepare recovered cardboard for sale.
Supply availability remained relatively tight because collection volumes did not fully meet the needs of mills. Buyers continued purchasing material to maintain production, while collection centres were cautious about selling at lower prices.
A particularly notable movement occurred in June. China domestic Waste Yellow Cardboard Grade A prices increased by around 8% compared with May. This was a stronger monthly increase than the quarterly market movement might suggest and indicated renewed upward pressure toward the end of Q2.
The Chinese market therefore remained firm, with rising operating costs, limited supply availability, and stronger purchasing activity supporting prices.
OCC Prices in Indonesia: Q2 2026
Indonesia recorded an increase of approximately 19% in imported OCC prices during Q2 2026 compared with Q1. The market was influenced by healthy packaging demand and the higher cost of securing recovered paper from international suppliers.
Demand from food packaging, e-commerce, consumer goods, and industrial applications supported purchasing by Indonesian paper mills. Mills required sufficient OCC supplies to maintain production and meet the needs of packaging customers.
Imported material became more expensive as global recovered paper costs, bunker fuel expenses, ocean freight charges, and inland transportation costs increased. Relatively tight availability of US-origin OCC also contributed to stronger supplier offers.
Geopolitical tensions and disruptions around major shipping routes added uncertainty to international trade. Longer transit times and higher logistics expenses can make imported raw materials more expensive, particularly for buyers that depend on overseas supplies.
In June, Indonesia CFR Jakarta OCC Grade 11 prices increased by around 0.13% compared with May. This indicated that the market had become nearly stable on a month-on-month basis, even though the overall quarterly increase remained substantial.
The Indonesian market stayed firm during Q2, with import costs, demand, and supply constraints continuing to influence price levels.
OCC Prices in Vietnam: Q2 2026
Vietnam also recorded an approximately 19% increase in imported OCC prices during Q2 2026 compared with Q1.
The country’s demand for recovered paper remained supported by packaging, food, e-commerce, consumer goods, and industrial activities. Paper mills continued purchasing imported OCC to secure raw materials and maintain stable containerboard production.
International supply conditions influenced the market. US-origin OCC availability remained relatively tight, while demand from Asian buyers supported firmer supplier offers. When several buyers compete for suitable cargoes, the cost of securing material can increase.
Freight and bunker fuel expenses added to import costs. Shipping disruptions and uncertainty around major trade routes also affected transportation expenses and vessel transit times. For buyers in Vietnam, these factors increased the overall cost of imported recovered paper delivered to the market.
In June 2026, Vietnam CFR Haiphong OCC Grade 11 prices increased by around 0.13% compared with May. This suggested limited monthly price growth at the end of the quarter, following a much stronger increase across Q2 as a whole.
Overall, Vietnam’s OCC market remained firm, supported by packaging demand, international purchasing activity, relatively tight supply, and higher import expenses.
What the OCC Price Chart Tells Us
The OCC Price Chart for Q2 2026 highlights a broad upward trend across the markets covered in this analysis. The quarterly figures show that prices increased in all seven markets, although the size of the increase varied.
India recorded the strongest quarterly increase at approximately 21%. Indonesia and Vietnam followed at around 19% each, while the United Kingdom increased by 17% and Spain by 16%. The United States rose by approximately 12%, while China recorded an increase of around 10%.
These differences are important because OCC does not have one universal price. A domestic market price in China is not directly equivalent to an export price in Spain or an imported price in India. Each quotation reflects different grades, locations, delivery terms, and cost structures.
For example, FOB prices generally refer to the value of goods at the designated export point, while CFR prices include the cost of the goods and freight to the named destination. They should therefore be compared carefully rather than treated as identical measures.
The monthly figures also provide useful information. The United States, Spain, and the United Kingdom each recorded increases of around 4% in June compared with May. China recorded a stronger monthly increase of approximately 8%, while India, Indonesia, and Vietnam showed smaller increases of around 0.14%, 0.13%, and 0.13%, respectively.
These movements suggest that the market was still firm at the end of Q2, but the pace of short-term price growth differed between countries.
Understanding the OCC Price Index
An OCC Price Index can help market participants understand whether recovered cardboard prices are moving higher or lower over time. Rather than focusing on a single transaction, an index tracks price movements against a chosen base period.
For example, an index may use the average price in an earlier quarter as its starting point. Later prices can then be compared with that base to measure the direction and size of market changes.
However, an index is only useful when its methodology is clear. The grade of OCC, location, delivery terms, currency, and reporting period must remain consistent for a meaningful comparison. Changes in these factors can make prices appear different even when the underlying market movement is similar.
The Q2 2026 figures presented here show quarterly percentage changes rather than a single standardized global index value. They indicate that the market strengthened across the selected regions, but they should not be interpreted as a unified price index without additional methodology and base-price information.
For buyers and sellers, following an OCC Price Index alongside regional price quotations can provide a clearer picture of market direction and help support purchasing decisions.
OCC Price Forecast: What Could Happen Next?
The outlook for OCC prices after Q2 2026 will depend on how demand, supply, freight costs, and paper mill purchasing activity develop. The available quarterly figures show that the market entered the second half of the year after a broad increase, but they do not establish a definite future price level.
If packaging demand remains healthy and collection volumes stay limited, prices could continue to receive support. Paper mills need reliable access to recovered cardboard, and a shortage of suitable material can encourage buyers to compete more actively for available supplies.
Transportation costs will also remain important, particularly for countries that rely on imported OCC. Changes in bunker fuel expenses, ocean freight rates, and shipping conditions can affect the delivered cost of recovered paper. Any improvement in shipping conditions could reduce some of this pressure, while renewed disruptions could increase uncertainty.
Supply growth is another factor to watch. If collection and sorting volumes improve, the additional material could help ease tight market conditions. However, if supply remains below purchasing requirements, suppliers may continue to have stronger pricing power.
Regional differences will matter as well. Import-dependent markets may respond differently from countries with more established domestic collection networks. Currency movements, local mill operating rates, inventory levels, and export demand can also influence individual markets.
For this reason, the most practical approach is to monitor monthly price changes alongside quarterly movements. The OCC Price Trend should be assessed using updated regional data rather than assuming that the strong increase recorded in Q2 will automatically continue at the same rate.
Key Factors to Watch in the OCC Market
Several factors are likely to remain important for understanding future OCC price movements.
First, packaging demand will continue to influence purchasing requirements. Changes in e-commerce, food distribution, consumer goods, and industrial activity can affect the amount of cardboard required by manufacturers and retailers.
Second, collection volumes will determine how much recovered cardboard is available for recycling. Strong demand alone does not guarantee higher prices, but a gap between available supply and mill requirements can create upward pressure.
Third, energy and transportation costs affect the entire recycling chain. Higher expenses can increase collection, processing, and delivery costs, while lower costs may help reduce pressure on suppliers and buyers.
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Fourth, international trade conditions are particularly important for imported OCC. Freight rates, vessel availability, shipping delays, and competition for export cargoes can change delivered prices even when demand in the destination country remains steady.
Finally, paper mill purchasing strategies can influence short-term movements. Mills may increase buying to replenish inventories or secure supplies, while more cautious procurement can slow market momentum.
Together, these factors explain why the OCC market can experience strong quarterly increases but relatively small price movements in individual months.
The OCC Price Trend in Q2 2026 showed a clear upward movement across major recovered paper markets. Global prices increased by approximately 12% compared with Q1, supported by healthy packaging demand, relatively tight supply, and higher operating and transportation costs.
India recorded the largest increase among the markets covered, at around 21%, followed by Indonesia and Vietnam at approximately 19% each. The United Kingdom and Spain also experienced substantial increases, while the United States and China recorded positive price movements. Monthly figures showed that the strength of the market varied, with some regions continuing to rise more quickly than others.
The OCC Price Chart, regional OCC Prices, and the broader OCC Price Index concept all help explain different aspects of the market. However, regional quotations must be compared carefully because grades, delivery terms, and local cost structures differ.
Looking ahead, packaging demand, collection volumes, freight expenses, and paper mill procurement will remain important indicators to monitor. A reliable OCC price forecast should take these factors into account and use updated market information rather than assuming that past increases will continue unchanged.
For businesses involved in paper manufacturing, recycling, packaging, and international trade, following the OCC Price Trend can help improve market awareness, support procurement planning, and prepare for possible changes in raw material costs. As Q2 2026 demonstrates, even a widely recycled material such as cardboard can experience significant price movements when demand, supply, and logistics costs change at the same time.
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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