Benelux: Plastic Bag Market 2024

Plastic Bag Market Size in Benelux

In 2022, the Benelux plastic bag market increased by 5.3% to $X, rising for the third consecutive year after two years of decline. In general, consumption showed a relatively flat trend pattern. As a result, consumption reached the peak level of $X. From 2014 to 2022, the growth of the market remained at a lower figure.

Plastic Bag Production in Benelux

In value terms, plastic bag production fell to $X in 2022 estimated in export price. In general, production continues to indicate a pronounced contraction. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2021 with an increase of 23%. Over the period under review, production attained the peak level at $X in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, production stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Plastic Bag Exports

Exports in Benelux

In 2022, exports of plastic sacks and bags in Benelux reduced to X tons, which is down by -10.6% compared with 2021. In general, exports, however, recorded a relatively flat trend pattern. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2017 with an increase of 53%. As a result, the exports reached the peak of X tons. From 2018 to 2022, the growth of the exports failed to regain momentum.

In value terms, plastic bag exports declined to $X in 2022. Total exports indicated a moderate increase from 2012 to 2022: its value increased at an average annual rate of +3.5% over the last decade. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2022 figures, exports increased by +85.4% against 2015 indices. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2021 with an increase of 24% against the previous year. As a result, the exports attained the peak of $X, and then declined in the following year.

Exports by Country

The Netherlands was the largest exporter of plastic sacks and bags in Benelux, with the volume of exports amounting to X tons, which was approx. 80% of total exports in 2022. It was distantly followed by Belgium (X tons), committing a 19% share of total exports.

The Netherlands was also the fastest-growing in terms of the plastic sacks and bags exports, with a CAGR of +3.6% from 2012 to 2022. Belgium (-6.6%) illustrated a downward trend over the same period. While the share of the Netherlands (+21 p.p.) increased significantly in terms of the total exports from 2012-2022, the share of Belgium (-20.8 p.p.) displayed negative dynamics.

In value terms, the Netherlands ($X) remains the largest plastic bag supplier in Benelux, comprising 77% of total exports. The second position in the ranking was taken by Belgium ($X), with a 23% share of total exports.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual growth rate of value in the Netherlands stood at +7.5%.

Export Prices by Country

In 2022, the export price in Benelux amounted to $X per ton, rising by 5.6% against the previous year. Export price indicated a pronounced expansion from 2012 to 2022: its price increased at an average annual rate of +2.9% over the last decade. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2022 figures, plastic bag export price increased by +74.0% against 2017 indices. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2020 an increase of 28% against the previous year. The level of export peaked in 2022 and is expected to retain growth in the immediate term.

Average prices varied noticeably amongst the major exporting countries. In 2022, amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was Belgium ($X per ton), while the Netherlands totaled $X per ton.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by the Netherlands (+3.7%).

Plastic Bag Imports

Imports in Benelux

In 2022, purchases abroad of plastic sacks and bags increased by 2.9% to X tons, rising for the fifth year in a row after three years of decline. In general, imports recorded a mild increase. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2021 when imports increased by 23%. Over the period under review, imports hit record highs at X tons in 2014; however, from 2015 to 2022, imports failed to regain momentum.

In value terms, plastic bag imports contracted slightly to $X in 2022. The total import value increased at an average annual rate of +3.1% from 2012 to 2022; however, the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded in certain years. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2021 when imports increased by 31%. As a result, imports reached the peak of $X, and then contracted slightly in the following year.

Imports by Country

The Netherlands represented the key importing country with an import of around X tons, which resulted at 68% of total imports. It was distantly followed by Belgium (X tons), achieving a 30% share of total imports. Luxembourg (X tons) followed a long way behind the leaders.

Imports into the Netherlands increased at an average annual rate of +1.1% from 2012 to 2022. At the same time, Luxembourg (+4.4%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, Luxembourg emerged as the fastest-growing importer imported in Benelux, with a CAGR of +4.4% from 2012-2022. Belgium experienced a relatively flat trend pattern. The shares of the largest importers remained relatively stable throughout the analyzed period.

In value terms, the Netherlands ($X) constitutes the largest market for imported plastic sacks and bags in Benelux, comprising 66% of total imports. The second position in the ranking was taken by Belgium ($X), with a 32% share of total imports.

In the Netherlands, plastic bag imports expanded at an average annual rate of +5.5% over the period from 2012-2022. The remaining importing countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: Belgium (-0.4% per year) and Luxembourg (+0.2% per year).

Import Prices by Country

In 2022, the import price in Benelux amounted to $X per ton, with a decrease of -6.1% against the previous year. Over the period from 2012 to 2022, it increased at an average annual rate of +2.1%. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2015 an increase of 22%. Over the period under review, import prices hit record highs at $X per ton in 2018; however, from 2019 to 2022, import prices stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Average prices varied noticeably amongst the major importing countries. In 2022, amid the top importers, the country with the highest price was Luxembourg ($X per ton), while the Netherlands ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by the Netherlands (+4.3%), while the other leaders experienced a decline in the import price figures.

Source: IndexBox Platform