Belgium: Plastic Bag Market 2024

Plastic Bag Market Size in Belgium

In 2022, the Belgian plastic bag market increased by 8.2% to $X, rising for the second year in a row after two years of decline. The market value increased at an average annual rate of +2.5% over the period from 2012 to 2022; however, the trend pattern remained relatively stable, with only minor fluctuations throughout the analyzed period. Over the period under review, the market reached the peak level in 2022 and is expected to retain growth in years to come.

Plastic Bag Production in Belgium

In value terms, plastic bag production contracted to $X in 2022 estimated in export price. Over the period under review, production, however, recorded a slight decline. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2021 with an increase of 70% against the previous year. As a result, production reached the peak level of $X, and then fell in the following year.

Plastic Bag Exports

Exports from Belgium

In 2022, overseas shipments of plastic sacks and bags decreased by -44.8% to X tons for the first time since 2019, thus ending a two-year rising trend. In general, exports showed a abrupt decrease. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2020 when exports increased by 106%. The exports peaked at X tons in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2022, the exports remained at a lower figure.

In value terms, plastic bag exports contracted sharply to $X in 2022. Over the period under review, exports continue to indicate a noticeable descent. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2020 when exports increased by 95% against the previous year. The exports peaked at $X in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2022, the exports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Exports by Country

The Netherlands (X tons), the UK (X tons) and France (X tons) were the main destinations of plastic bag exports from Belgium, with a combined 65% share of total exports.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of shipments, amongst the main countries of destination, was attained by the UK (with a CAGR of +8.0%), while the other leaders experienced a decline.

In value terms, the Netherlands ($X), France ($X) and the UK ($X) constituted the largest markets for plastic bag exported from Belgium worldwide, with a combined 53% share of total exports.

Among the main countries of destination, the UK, with a CAGR of +4.4%, recorded the highest rates of growth with regard to the value of exports, 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, increasing by 29% against the previous year. Over the period from 2012 to 2022, it increased at an average annual rate of +3.0%. As a result, the export price reached the peak level and is likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

There were significant differences in the average prices for the major export markets. In 2022, amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was Turkey ($X per ton), while the average price for exports to Luxembourg ($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 Portugal (+10.2%), while the prices for the other major destinations experienced more modest paces of growth.

Plastic Bag Imports

Imports into Belgium

In 2022, after two years of growth, there was significant decline in supplies from abroad of plastic sacks and bags, when their volume decreased by -9.8% to X tons. In general, imports, however, continue to indicate a relatively flat trend pattern. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2020 when imports increased by 32% against the previous year. Imports peaked at X tons in 2014; however, from 2015 to 2022, imports remained at a lower figure.

In value terms, plastic bag imports dropped to $X in 2022. Over the period under review, imports saw a relatively flat trend pattern. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2020 with an increase of 21%. Imports peaked at $X in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2022, imports failed to regain momentum.

Imports by Country

In 2022, the Netherlands (X tons) constituted the largest plastic bag supplier to Belgium, accounting for a 37% share of total imports. Moreover, plastic bag imports from the Netherlands exceeded the figures recorded by the second-largest supplier, Poland (X tons), twofold. Germany (X tons) ranked third in terms of total imports with a 14% share.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual rate of growth in terms of volume from the Netherlands stood at +9.6%. The remaining supplying countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: Poland (-2.2% per year) and Germany (-2.8% per year).

In value terms, the Netherlands ($X), Germany ($X) and Poland ($X) constituted the largest plastic bag suppliers to Belgium, together comprising 62% of total imports. France, Italy, China, Spain, Turkey, the UK, Vietnam and Malaysia lagged somewhat behind, together comprising a further 28%.

In terms of the main suppliers, Spain, with a CAGR of +4.9%, saw 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, reducing by -4.2% against the previous year. Overall, the import price continues to indicate a mild setback. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2015 when the average import price increased by 12% against the previous year. Over the period under review, average import prices hit record highs at $X per ton in 2018; however, from 2019 to 2022, import prices remained at a lower figure.

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

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Malaysia (+8.5%), while the prices for the other major suppliers experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Platform

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