Corrugated and carton packaging demand rises across Canada

Canada’s corrugated and folding carton packaging market is forecast to reach USD 37.27 billion in 2025, according to new market analysis, as demand for fibre-based packaging continues to accelerate across multiple sectors.

The surge is being driven by growth in e-commerce, food and beverage, and consumer goods, where corrugated and cartonboard formats offer protective performance, recyclability, and efficient branding opportunities. The increasing shift toward sustainable alternatives to plastic packaging is also playing a central role in this growth, as both regulators and consumers place greater pressure on businesses to adopt environmentally responsible solutions.

Corrugated boxes continue to be the backbone of e-commerce fulfilment, offering strength and versatility for shipping while remaining widely recyclable. Meanwhile, folding cartons are seeing expanded use in ready meals, personal care, and premium retail packaging, particularly where high-quality print finishes and shelf appeal are essential.

The rise in demand also reflects Canada's broader efforts to support a circular economy, with provinces such as British Columbia and Quebec implementing extended producer responsibility (EPR) legislation aimed at improving recycling outcomes and reducing landfill waste.

Innovation within the sector is helping to boost market performance, with advances in lightweighting, digital printing, and barrier coatings enabling fibre-based packaging to meet more complex product requirements.

As brands look to balance sustainability, cost, and performance, corrugated and folding carton formats remain at the forefront of packaging strategy across the Canadian market.