United Kingdom: Plastic Bag Market 2024

Plastic Bag Market Size in the UK

The UK plastic bag market contracted to $X in 2022, leveling off at the previous year. Overall, consumption recorded a pronounced reduction. Over the period under review, the market attained the peak level at $X in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, consumption remained at a lower figure.

Plastic Bag Production in the UK

In value terms, plastic bag production declined slightly to $X in 2022 estimated in export price. In general, production recorded a mild downturn. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2014 with an increase of 14% against the previous year. Over the period under review, production hit record highs at $X in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, production remained at a lower figure.

Plastic Bag Exports

Exports from the UK

In 2022, approx. X tons of plastic sacks and bags were exported from the UK; which is down by -3.1% against the previous year. The total export volume increased at an average annual rate of +1.6% over the period from 2012 to 2022; however, the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2021 when exports increased by 46%. As a result, the exports attained the peak of X tons, and then dropped in the following year.

In value terms, plastic bag exports fell slightly to $X in 2022. In general, exports, however, continue to indicate a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2018 with an increase of 23%. The exports peaked at $X in 2020; however, from 2021 to 2022, the exports failed to regain momentum.

Exports by Country

Ireland (X tons) was the main destination for plastic bag exports from the UK, with a 39% share of total exports. Moreover, plastic bag exports to Ireland exceeded the volume sent to the second major destination, the Netherlands (X tons), twofold. France (X tons) ranked third in terms of total exports with a 5.9% share.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual growth rate of volume to Ireland stood at +7.8%. Exports to the other major destinations recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: the Netherlands (+3.9% per year) and France (-5.9% per year).

In value terms, the largest markets for plastic bag exported from the UK were Ireland ($X), the Netherlands ($X) and Germany ($X), together accounting for 43% of total exports. France, Belgium, Italy, the Czech Republic, Spain, Poland and Sweden lagged somewhat behind, together comprising a further 24%.

The Czech Republic, with a CAGR of +6.4%, saw the highest rates of growth with regard to the value of exports, among the main countries of destination over the period under review, while shipments for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Export Prices by Country

The average plastic bag export price stood at $X per ton in 2022, remaining constant against the previous year. In general, the export price saw a mild downturn. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2018 when the average export price increased by 18% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the average export prices hit record highs at $X per ton in 2020; however, from 2021 to 2022, 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 Italy ($X per ton), while the average price for exports to Ireland ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was recorded for supplies to the Czech Republic (+9.2%), while the prices for the other major destinations experienced more modest paces of growth.

Plastic Bag Imports

Imports into the UK

Plastic bag imports into the UK reduced modestly to X tons in 2022, almost unchanged from the year before. Over the period under review, imports, however, showed a relatively flat trend pattern. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2018 with an increase of 8% against the previous year. Over the period under review, imports reached the maximum at X tons in 2020; however, from 2021 to 2022, imports failed to regain momentum.

In value terms, plastic bag imports rose markedly to $X in 2022. The total import value increased at an average annual rate of +2.3% from 2012 to 2022; the trend pattern remained consistent, with somewhat noticeable fluctuations in certain years. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2021 when imports increased by 10%. Over the period under review, imports attained the peak figure in 2022 and are likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

Imports by Country

Turkey (X tons), Germany (X tons) and China (X tons) were the main suppliers of plastic bag imports to the UK, with a combined 47% share of total imports.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of purchases, amongst the main suppliers, was attained by Turkey (with a CAGR of +18.4%), while imports for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, the largest plastic bag suppliers to the UK were China ($X), Germany ($X) and Turkey ($X), together comprising 43% of total imports. Vietnam, Poland, India, Italy, Thailand, Spain, France, the Netherlands, Malaysia and Lithuania lagged somewhat behind, together accounting for a further 41%.

In terms of the main suppliers, Spain, with a CAGR of +17.1%, recorded the highest rates of growth with regard to the value of imports, over the period under review, while purchases for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Import Prices by Country

In 2022, the average plastic bag import price amounted to $X per ton, surging by 6.7% against the previous year. Over the last decade, it increased at an average annual rate of +1.4%. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2021 an increase of 16% against the previous year. The import price peaked in 2022 and is likely to see steady growth in years to come.

Prices varied noticeably by country of origin: amid the top importers, the country with the highest price was Spain ($X per ton), while the price for Turkey ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Italy (+6.2%), while the prices for the other major suppliers experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Platform

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