Australia: Plastic Container Market 2025

Plastic Container Market Size in Australia

The Australian plastic container market skyrocketed to $X in 2021, rising by 42% against the previous year. This figure reflects the total revenues of producers and importers (excluding logistics costs, retail marketing costs, and retailers' margins, which will be included in the final consumer price). In general, consumption, however, continues to indicate a slight downturn. Over the period under review, the market attained the maximum level at $X in 2016; however, from 2017 to 2021, consumption remained at a lower figure.

Plastic Container Exports

Exports from Australia

In 2021, the amount of plastic containers exported from Australia dropped remarkably to X tons, waning by -16.1% on 2020. In general, exports continue to indicate a slight downturn. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2017 when exports increased by 45%. As a result, the exports attained the peak of X tons. From 2018 to 2021, the growth of the exports remained at a somewhat lower figure.

In value terms, plastic container exports dropped to $X in 2021. Overall, exports showed a perceptible contraction. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2018 with an increase of 55% against the previous year. As a result, the exports reached the peak of $X. From 2019 to 2021, the growth of the exports failed to regain momentum.

Exports by Country

New Zealand (X tons), China (X tons) and Bangladesh (X tons) were the main destinations of plastic container exports from Australia, with a combined 70% share of total exports. These countries were followed by Canada, Germany, the UK, the United States, Papua New Guinea, the Philippines and Thailand, which together accounted for a further 16%.

From 2012 to 2021, the biggest increases were recorded for Canada (with a CAGR of +77.5%), while shipments for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, New Zealand ($X), China ($X) and Bangladesh ($X) were the largest markets for plastic container exported from Australia worldwide, with a combined 70% share of total exports. These countries were followed by Canada, Germany, the UK, the United States, Papua New Guinea, the Philippines and Thailand, which together accounted for a further 16%.

Canada, with a CAGR of +50.9%, 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 container export price stood at $X per ton in 2021, rising by 6.6% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the export price, however, continues to indicate a slight curtailment. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2018 an increase of 58% against the previous year. The export price peaked at $X per ton in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2021, the export prices stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Average prices varied noticeably for the major export markets. In 2021, the highest price was recorded for prices to the Philippines ($X per ton) and the United States ($X per ton), while the average price for exports to China ($X per ton) and the UK ($X per ton) were amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was recorded for supplies to China (+9.5%), while the prices for the other major destinations experienced mixed trend patterns.

Plastic Container Imports

Imports into Australia

After five years of decline, purchases abroad of plastic containers increased by 23% to X tons in 2021. In general, imports, however, showed a noticeable decrease. Over the period under review, imports reached the peak figure at X tons in 2015; however, from 2016 to 2021, imports remained at a lower figure.

In value terms, plastic container imports rose markedly to $X in 2021. The total import value increased at an average annual rate of +2.3% over the period from 2012 to 2021; however, the trend pattern remained relatively stable, with only minor fluctuations being observed in certain years. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2013 with an increase of 11% against the previous year. Over the period under review, imports reached the maximum in 2021 and are likely to see gradual growth in the immediate term.

Imports by Country

In 2021, China (X tons) constituted the largest supplier of plastic container to Australia, accounting for a 48% share of total imports. Moreover, plastic container imports from China exceeded the figures recorded by the second-largest supplier, Malaysia (X tons), fivefold. New Zealand (X tons) ranked third in terms of total imports with a 7.6% share.

From 2012 to 2021, the average annual rate of growth in terms of volume from China amounted to -4.5%. The remaining supplying countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: Malaysia (-0.7% per year) and New Zealand (-12.0% per year).

In value terms, China ($X) constituted the largest supplier of plastic containers to Australia, comprising 46% of total imports. The second position in the ranking was taken by Malaysia ($X), with an 11% share of total imports. It was followed by New Zealand, with a 7.3% share.

From 2012 to 2021, the average annual growth rate of value from China totaled +3.4%. The remaining supplying countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: Malaysia (+8.0% per year) and New Zealand (-6.9% per year).

Import Prices by Country

In 2021, the average plastic container import price amounted to $X per ton, declining by -12.4% against the previous year. Overall, the import price, however, enjoyed strong growth. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2020 when the average import price increased by 84% against the previous year. As a result, import price attained the peak level of $X per ton, and then dropped in the following year.

Average prices varied somewhat amongst the major supplying countries. In 2021, the highest price was recorded for prices from the United States ($X per ton) and Malaysia ($X per ton), while the price for New Zealand ($X per ton) and Thailand ($X per ton) were amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by the United States (+10.2%), while the prices for the other major suppliers experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Platform

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