Bulgaria: Corrugated Paper Box Market 2025

Corrugated Paper Box Market Size in Bulgaria

The Bulgarian corrugated paper box market dropped to $X in 2022, which is down by -9.2% against the previous year. The market value increased at an average annual rate of +3.9% over the period from 2012 to 2022; however, the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded in certain years. As a result, consumption reached the peak level of $X, and then contracted in the following year.

Corrugated Paper Box Production in Bulgaria

In value terms, corrugated paper box production dropped to $X in 2022 estimated in export price. The total output value increased at an average annual rate of +3.3% 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 with an increase of 24% against the previous year. As a result, production attained the peak level of $X, and then reduced in the following year.

Corrugated Paper Box Exports

Exports from Bulgaria

In 2022, corrugated paper box exports from Bulgaria shrank to X tons, stabilizing at the year before. Over the period under review, total exports indicated a perceptible increase from 2012 to 2022: its volume increased at an average annual rate of +3.0% 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 +7.5% against 2020 indices. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2013 with an increase of 42% against the previous year. The exports peaked at X tons in 2016; however, from 2017 to 2022, the exports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

In value terms, corrugated paper box exports reduced to $X in 2022. The total export value increased at an average annual rate of +3.8% 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 2013 with an increase of 34% against the previous year. The exports peaked at $X in 2018; however, from 2019 to 2022, the exports failed to regain momentum.

Exports by Country

North Macedonia (X tons), Greece (X tons) and Romania (X tons) were the main destinations of corrugated paper box exports from Bulgaria, with a combined 69% share of total exports. Turkey, Albania, Italy, Poland, the Czech Republic, Cyprus, Germany, France, Iraq and Moldova lagged somewhat behind, together accounting for a further 25%.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of shipments, amongst the main countries of destination, was attained by Cyprus (with a CAGR of +106.2%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, the largest markets for corrugated paper box exported from Bulgaria were North Macedonia ($X), Greece ($X) and Romania ($X), together comprising 50% of total exports. Italy, Germany, Turkey, Poland, France, the Czech Republic, Albania, Cyprus, Iraq and Moldova lagged somewhat behind, together comprising a further 37%.

Among the main countries of destination, Cyprus, with a CAGR of +99.3%, saw the highest growth rate of 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 corrugated paper box export price stood at $X per ton in 2022, standing approx. at the previous year. In general, the export price, however, saw a relatively flat trend pattern. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2018 when the average export price increased by 15% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the average export prices reached the peak figure at $X per ton in 2021, and then dropped in the following year.

Prices varied noticeably by country of destination: amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was Germany ($X per ton), while the average price for exports to Greece ($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 (+4.4%), while the prices for the other major destinations experienced more modest paces of growth.

Corrugated Paper Box Imports

Imports into Bulgaria

In 2022, approx. X tons of cartons, boxes and cases of corrugated paper or paperboard were imported into Bulgaria; which is down by -5.1% on 2021 figures. In general, imports, however, showed a prominent increase. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2014 with an increase of 51%. Imports peaked at X tons in 2021, and then declined in the following year.

In value terms, corrugated paper box imports fell slightly to $X in 2022. Overall, imports, however, continue to indicate prominent growth. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2014 when imports increased by 47% against the previous year. Over the period under review, imports reached the peak figure at $X in 2021, and then dropped modestly in the following year.

Imports by Country

Turkey (X tons), Romania (X tons) and Greece (X tons) were the main suppliers of corrugated paper box imports to Bulgaria, with a combined 71% share of total imports. Germany, Italy, the Netherlands and Poland lagged somewhat behind, together comprising a further 24%.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of purchases, amongst the main suppliers, was attained by the Netherlands (with a CAGR of +38.6%), while imports for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, the largest corrugated paper box suppliers to Bulgaria were Turkey ($X), Romania ($X) and Greece ($X), with a combined 68% share of total imports. Germany, Italy, the Netherlands and Poland lagged somewhat behind, together comprising a further 24%.

The Netherlands, with a CAGR of +25.6%, saw the highest growth rate of the value of imports, among the main suppliers 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 corrugated paper box import price amounted to $X per ton, rising by 2.3% against the previous year. Over the period from 2012 to 2022, it increased at an average annual rate of +1.1%. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2017 an increase of 18% against the previous year. The import price peaked in 2022 and is likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

There were significant differences in the average prices amongst the major supplying countries. In 2022, amid the top importers, the country with the highest price was Germany ($X per ton), while the price for the Netherlands ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Greece (+3.5%), while the prices for the other major suppliers experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Platform

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