China: Paper Bag Market 2025

Paper Bag Market Size in China

In 2021, the Chinese paper bag market decreased by less than 0.1% to $X, falling for the third year in a row after seven years of growth. Overall, consumption posted a strong expansion. As a result, consumption reached the peak level of $X. From 2019 to 2021, the growth of the market remained at a somewhat lower figure.

Paper Bag Production in China

In value terms, paper bag production contracted slightly to $X in 2021 estimated in export price. Over the period under review, production saw a buoyant expansion. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2018 with an increase of 90% against the previous year. As a result, production attained the peak level of $X. From 2019 to 2021, production growth failed to regain momentum.

Paper Bag Exports

Exports from China

Paper bag exports from China skyrocketed to X tons in 2021, jumping by 19% on the previous year. The total export volume increased at an average annual rate of +4.4% over the period from 2012 to 2021; however, the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded in certain years. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2016 when exports increased by 21% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the exports hit record highs in 2021 and are likely to see gradual growth in the immediate term.

In value terms, paper bag exports surged to $X in 2021. Overall, total exports indicated a strong increase from 2012 to 2021: its value increased at an average annual rate of +9.0% over the last nine years. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2021 figures, exports increased by +92.4% against 2016 indices. As a result, the exports reached the peak and are likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

Exports by Country

The United States (X tons) was the main destination for paper bag exports from China, accounting for a 20% share of total exports. Moreover, paper bag exports to the United States exceeded the volume sent to the second major destination, Hong Kong SAR (X tons), twofold. The third position in this ranking was taken by Vietnam (X tons), with a 5.8% share.

From 2012 to 2021, the average annual growth rate of volume to the United States amounted to +3.2%. Exports to the other major destinations recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: Hong Kong SAR (-4.2% per year) and Vietnam (+13.5% per year).

In value terms, the United States ($X) remains the key foreign market for sacks and bags of paper exports from China, comprising 22% of total exports. The second position in the ranking was taken by Vietnam ($X), with a 5.5% share of total exports. It was followed by Australia, with a 5.4% share.

From 2012 to 2021, the average annual rate of growth in terms of value to the United States stood at +7.6%. Exports to the other major destinations recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: Vietnam (+22.6% per year) and Australia (+13.6% per year).

Export Prices by Country

The average paper bag export price stood at $X per ton in 2021, surging by 10% against the previous year. In general, export price indicated a noticeable expansion from 2012 to 2021: its price increased at an average annual rate of +4.4% over the last nine years. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2021 figures, paper bag export price increased by +78.8% against 2016 indices. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2017 an increase of 22% against the previous year. The export price peaked in 2021 and is likely to see gradual growth in years to come.

Prices varied noticeably by country of destination: amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was Malaysia ($X per ton), while the average price for exports to Hong Kong SAR ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was recorded for supplies to Vietnam (+8.0%), while the prices for the other major destinations experienced more modest paces of growth.

Paper Bag Imports

Imports into China

For the third year in a row, China recorded decline in overseas purchases of sacks and bags of paper, which decreased by -4% to X tons in 2021. In general, imports showed a deep downturn. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2018 when imports increased by 7.6% against the previous year. Imports peaked at X tons in 2016; however, from 2017 to 2021, imports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

In value terms, paper bag imports surged to $X in 2021. Over the period under review, imports showed a perceptible decline. Imports peaked at $X in 2015; however, from 2016 to 2021, imports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Imports by Country

Denmark (X tons), Taiwan (Chinese) (X tons) and South Korea (X tons) were the main suppliers of paper bag imports to China, with a combined 36% share of total imports. Japan, Vietnam, Italy, Finland, Thailand, the United States, Germany, France, Hong Kong SAR and the Netherlands lagged somewhat behind, together comprising a further 50%.

From 2012 to 2021, the biggest increases were recorded for Finland (with a CAGR of +78.3%), while purchases for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, Italy ($X), France ($X) and Vietnam ($X) constituted the largest paper bag suppliers to China, together accounting for 33% of total imports. Denmark, Japan, Taiwan (Chinese), South Korea, the United States, Germany, Thailand, Finland, the Netherlands and Hong Kong SAR lagged somewhat behind, together accounting for a further 47%.

In terms of the main suppliers, Finland, with a CAGR of +51.3%, recorded the highest growth rate of 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 2021, the average paper bag import price amounted to $X per ton, picking up by 29% against the previous year. Over the period from 2012 to 2021, it increased at an average annual rate of +4.1%. As a result, import price attained the peak level and is likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

There were significant differences in the average prices amongst the major supplying countries. In 2021, amid the top importers, the country with the highest price was France ($X per ton), while the price for Finland ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by the Netherlands (+16.1%), while the prices for the other major suppliers experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Platform

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