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China - Plastic Packaging - Market Analysis, Forecast, Size, Trends and Insights
Report Update: Feb 1, 2025

China - Plastic Packaging - Market Analysis, Forecast, Size, Trends and Insights

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Jan 22, 2025

China's Export of Plastic Packaging to Reach $10.4B by 2024

China Plastic Packaging Exports

In 2024, exports of plastic packaging from China expanded remarkably to 2.6M tons, picking up by 14% against the previous year. The total export volume increased at an average annual rate of +3.4% from 2014 to 2024; however, the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded in certain years. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2017 with an increase of 28% against the previous year. The exports peaked in 2024 and are likely to see gradual growth in the immediate term.

In value terms, plastic packaging exports rose to $10.4B (IndexBox estimates) in 2024. Over the period under review, total exports indicated a strong expansion from 2014 to 2024: its value increased at an average annual rate of +5.1% over the last decade. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2024 figures, exports decreased by -4.4% against 2022 indices. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2020 when exports increased by 22%. The exports peaked at $10.9B in 2022; however, from 2023 to 2024, the exports failed to regain momentum.China Plastic Packaging Exports By Country (Million USD)

COUNTRYExport Value of Plastic Packaging in China (million USD)
20142015201620172018201920202021202220232024
United States1,4851,6311,5421,6841,8981,6462,0452,3182,4882,2982,437
Japan912794744753818815810828886750769
Australia284305280299343374453475613582530
Thailand79.293.590.0118142180365411449351451
Malaysia117123103108119180285393457418441
South Korea99.9135125154169185273355345303384
Vietnam98.3123126133161210332375286287330
United Kingdom198207193208216247299335276279295
Hong Kong472447409370340293267301275237230
Others2,5612,4762,2442,3882,5662,9383,5224,0654,7814,5424,506
Total6,3076,3365,8566,2156,7717,0668,6529,85710,85610,04810,373

Exports by Country

the United States (581K tons) was the main destination for plastic packaging exports from China, accounting for a 22% share of total exports. Moreover, plastic packaging exports to the United States exceeded the volume sent to the second major destination, Japan (249K tons), twofold. Australia (136K tons) ranked third in terms of total exports with a 5.2% share.

From 2014 to 2024, the average annual growth rate of volume to the United States totaled +2.4%. Exports to the other major destinations recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: Japan (-2.7% per year) and Australia (+4.2% per year).

In value terms, the United States ($2.4B) remains the key foreign market for plastic packaging exports from China, comprising 23% of total exports. The second position in the ranking was held by Japan ($769M), with a 7.4% share of total exports. It was followed by Australia, with a 5.1% share.

From 2014 to 2024, the average annual growth rate of value to the United States amounted to +5.1%. Exports to the other major destinations recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: Japan (-1.7% per year) and Australia (+6.4% per year).

Exports by Type

Plastic sacks and bags (1.8M tons) was the largest type of plastic packaging exported from China, with a 70% share of total exports. Moreover, plastic sacks and bags exceeded the volume of the second product type, plastic boxes, cases, crates and similar packing articles (462K tons), fourfold.

From 2014 to 2024, the average annual rate of growth in terms of the volume of plastic sacks and bags exports totaled +2.7%. With regard to the other exported products, the following average annual rates of growth were recorded: plastic boxes, cases, crates and similar packing articles (+3.7% per year) and carboys, bottles and similar articles of plastics (+8.0% per year).

In value terms, plastic sacks and bags ($5.9B) remains the largest type of plastic packaging exported from China, comprising 57% of total exports. The second position in the ranking was taken by carboys, bottles and similar articles of plastics ($2.3B), with a 22% share of total exports.

From 2014 to 2024, the average annual growth rate of the value of plastic sacks and bags exports totaled +4.1%. With regard to the other exported products, the following average annual rates of growth were recorded: carboys, bottles and similar articles of plastics (+9.6% per year) and plastic boxes, cases, crates and similar packing articles (+4.1% per year).

Export Prices by Country

In 2024, the plastic packaging price amounted to $3,953 per ton (FOB, China), shrinking by -9.6% against the previous year. Over the last decade, it increased at an average annual rate of +1.6%. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2020 when the average export price increased by 16% against the previous year. The export price peaked at $4,873 per ton in 2022; however, from 2023 to 2024, the export prices remained at a lower figure.

Prices varied noticeably by country of destination: amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was Thailand ($5,310 per ton), while the average price for exports to Hong Kong ($2,649 per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2014 to 2024, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was recorded for supplies to the United States (+2.6%), while the prices for the other major destinations experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Market Intelligence Platform

This report provides an in-depth analysis of the plastic packaging market in China. Within it, you will discover the latest data on market trends and opportunities by country, consumption, production and price developments, as well as the global trade (imports and exports). The forecast exhibits the market prospects through 2030.

Product coverage:

  • Prodcom 22221300 - Plastic boxes, cases, crates and similar articles for the conveyance or packing of goods
  • Prodcom 22221100 - Sacks and bags of polymers of ethylene (including cones)
  • Prodcom 22221200 - Plastic sacks and bags (including cones) (excluding of polymers of ethylene)
  • Prodcom 22221450 - Plastic carboys, bottles, flasks and similar articles for the conveyance or packing of goods, of a capacity . 2 litres
  • Prodcom 22221470 - Plastic carboys, bottles, flasks and similar articles for the conveyance or packing of goods, of a capacity > 2 litres

Country coverage:

Data coverage:

  • Market volume and value
  • Per Capita consumption
  • Forecast of the market dynamics in the medium term
  • Trade (exports and imports) in China
  • Export and import prices
  • Market trends, drivers and restraints
  • Key market players and their profiles

Reasons to buy this report:

  • Take advantage of the latest data
  • Find deeper insights into current market developments
  • Discover vital success factors affecting the market

This report is designed for manufacturers, distributors, importers, and wholesalers, as well as for investors, consultants and advisors.

In this report, you can find information that helps you to make informed decisions on the following issues:

  1. How to diversify your business and benefit from new market opportunities
  2. How to load your idle production capacity
  3. How to boost your sales on overseas markets
  4. How to increase your profit margins
  5. How to make your supply chain more sustainable
  6. How to reduce your production and supply chain costs
  7. How to outsource production to other countries
  8. How to prepare your business for global expansion

While doing this research, we combine the accumulated expertise of our analysts and the capabilities of artificial intelligence. The AI-based platform, developed by our data scientists, constitutes the key working tool for business analysts, empowering them to discover deep insights and ideas from the marketing data.

  1. 1. INTRODUCTION

    Making Data-Driven Decisions to Grow Your Business

    1. REPORT DESCRIPTION
    2. RESEARCH METHODOLOGY AND AI PLATFORM
    3. DATA-DRIVEN DECISIONS FOR YOUR BUSINESS
    4. GLOSSARY AND SPECIFIC TERMS

  2. 2. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

    A Quick Overview of Market Performance

    1. KEY FINDINGS
    2. MARKET TRENDS This Chapter is Available Only for the Professional Edition PRO

  3. 3. MARKET OVERVIEW

    Understanding the Current State of The Market and Its Prospects

    1. MARKET SIZE
    2. MARKET STRUCTURE
    3. TRADE BALANCE
    4. PER CAPITA CONSUMPTION
    5. MARKET FORECAST TO 2030

  4. 4. MOST PROMISING PRODUCT

    Finding New Products to Diversify Your Business

    This Chapter is Available Only for the Professional Edition PRO
    1. TOP PRODUCTS TO DIVERSIFY YOUR BUSINESS
    2. BEST-SELLING PRODUCTS
    3. MOST CONSUMED PRODUCT
    4. MOST TRADED PRODUCT
    5. MOST PROFITABLE PRODUCT FOR EXPORT

  5. 5. MOST PROMISING SUPPLYING COUNTRIES

    Choosing the Best Countries to Establish Your Sustainable Supply Chain

    This Chapter is Available Only for the Professional Edition PRO
    1. TOP COUNTRIES TO SOURCE YOUR PRODUCT
    2. TOP PRODUCING COUNTRIES
    3. TOP EXPORTING COUNTRIES
    4. LOW-COST EXPORTING COUNTRIES

  6. 6. MOST PROMISING OVERSEAS MARKETS

    Choosing the Best Countries to Boost Your Exports

    This Chapter is Available Only for the Professional Edition PRO
    1. TOP OVERSEAS MARKETS FOR EXPORTING YOUR PRODUCT
    2. TOP CONSUMING MARKETS
    3. UNSATURATED MARKETS
    4. TOP IMPORTING MARKETS
    5. MOST PROFITABLE MARKETS

  7. 7. PRODUCTION

    The Latest Trends and Insights into The Industry

    1. PRODUCTION VOLUME AND VALUE

  8. 8. IMPORTS

    The Largest Import Supplying Countries

    1. IMPORTS FROM 2012–2024
    2. IMPORTS BY COUNTRY
    3. IMPORT PRICES BY COUNTRY

  9. 9. EXPORTS

    The Largest Destinations for Exports

    1. EXPORTS FROM 2012–2024
    2. EXPORTS BY COUNTRY
    3. EXPORT PRICES BY COUNTRY

  10. 10. PROFILES OF MAJOR PRODUCERS

    The Largest Producers on The Market and Their Profiles

    This Chapter is Available Only for the Professional Edition PRO

  11. LIST OF TABLES

    1. Key Findings In 2024
    2. Market Volume, In Physical Terms, 2012–2024
    3. Market Value, 2012–2024
    4. Per Capita Consumption In 2012-2024
    5. Imports, In Physical Terms, By Country, 2012–2024
    6. Imports, In Value Terms, By Country, 2012–2024
    7. Import Prices, By Country Of Origin, 2012–2024
    8. Exports, In Physical Terms, By Country, 2012–2024
    9. Exports, In Value Terms, By Country, 2012–2024
    10. Export Prices, By Country Of Destination, 2012–2024

  12. LIST OF FIGURES

    1. Market Volume, In Physical Terms, 2012–2024
    2. Market Value, 2012–2024
    3. Market Structure – Domestic Supply vs. Imports, In Physical Terms, 2012-2024
    4. Market Structure – Domestic Supply vs. Imports, In Value Terms, 2012-2024
    5. Trade Balance, In Physical Terms, 2012-2024
    6. Trade Balance, In Value Terms, 2012-2024
    7. Per Capita Consumption, 2012-2024
    8. Market Volume Forecast to 2030
    9. Market Value Forecast to 2030
    10. Products: Market Size And Growth, By Type
    11. Products: Average Per Capita Consumption, By Type
    12. Products: Exports And Growth, By Type
    13. Products: Export Prices And Growth, By Type
    14. Production Volume And Growth
    15. Exports And Growth
    16. Export Prices And Growth
    17. Market Size And Growth
    18. Per Capita Consumption
    19. Imports And Growth
    20. Import Prices
    21. Production, In Physical Terms, 2012–2024
    22. Production, In Value Terms, 2012–2024
    23. Imports, In Physical Terms, 2012–2024
    24. Imports, In Value Terms, 2012–2024
    25. Imports, In Physical Terms, By Country, 2024
    26. Imports, In Physical Terms, By Country, 2012–2024
    27. Imports, In Value Terms, By Country, 2012–2024
    28. Import Prices, By Country Of Origin, 2012–2024
    29. Exports, In Physical Terms, 2012–2024
    30. Exports, In Value Terms, 2012–2024
    31. Exports, In Physical Terms, By Country, 2024
    32. Exports, In Physical Terms, By Country, 2012–2024
    33. Exports, In Value Terms, By Country, 2012–2024
    34. Export Prices, By Country Of Destination, 2012–2024

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