UK PPI output index: paper and paper products
UK PPI output index: paper and paper products stood at 138 in Aug 2026, according to Office for National Statistics (ONS). It is one of the indicators in the Producer price inflation table (Value · Monthly), with a complete series running from Dec 2008 to Aug 2026. The complete series with an interactive chart, free to download.
This indicator in the Producer price inflation table
| Indicator | 08-2026 | 07-2026 | 06-2026 | 05-2026 | 04-2026 | 03-2026 | 02-2026 | 01-2026 | 12-2025 | 11-2025 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Output price index by product group | |||||||||||
| C17 Paper and paper products | 138 | 137.5 | 137.2 | 136.7 | 136.1 | 133.8 | 133.8 | 134.5 | 135.2 | 135.5 | |
| C18 Printing and reproduction of recorded media | 139 | 138.3 | 138.9 | 137.8 | 136.3 | 136 | 135.8 | 134.9 | 134.9 | 135.1 |
Understanding UK PPI output index: paper and paper products
Factory gate prices for pulp, paper, corrugated cardboard, and converted paper goods manufactured within the United Kingdom. The series tracks transaction prices agreed upon by domestic paper mills and packaging converters, omitting downstream distribution fees and retail costs. Unlike general manufacturing aggregates, this measure isolates the paper supply chain from pulp preparation to finished packaging products. Excluded from this index are printed books, newspapers, and stationery items that have undergone specialised graphic reproduction or publishing processes.
Evaluating this index involves monitoring global wood pulp costs, chemical inputs, and energy-intensive manufacturing operations that dictate mill economics. Initial survey figures are regularly revised as late submissions arrive from industrial respondents. Twelve-month percentage changes help filter out temporary mill maintenance shutdowns and seasonal packaging surges linked to retail trade patterns. Comparing this series with downstream consumer goods inflation reveals how raw packaging material costs flow through to finished consumer products.
Frequently asked questions
- What products are covered under this paper and paper products index?
- The series includes paper pulp, plain paper reels, cardboard containers, and converted paper goods produced domestically.
- Are printed newspapers and magazines included in this series?
- No, publishing and printing activities are recorded under separate indices rather than the basic paper manufacturing category.
- Why are year-on-year comparisons recommended for this data?
- Annual comparisons remove the distortion of scheduled mill maintenance and seasonal peaks in packaging demand.