Eastern Asia: Paper Bag Market 2025

Paper Bag Market Size in Eastern Asia

In 2021, after two years of decline, there was growth in the East Asian paper bag market, when its value increased by 0.6% to $X. The total consumption indicated a prominent increase from 2012 to 2021: its value increased at an average annual rate of +6.1% over the last nine-year period. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2021 figures, consumption decreased by -18.1% against 2018 indices. As a result, consumption reached the peak level of $X. From 2019 to 2021, the growth of the market remained at a lower figure.

Paper Bag Production in Eastern Asia

In value terms, paper bag production stood at $X in 2021 estimated in export price. In general, production posted a buoyant expansion. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2018 with an increase of 74% 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 in Eastern Asia

Paper bag exports skyrocketed to X tons in 2021, jumping by 17% against the previous year's figure. The total export volume increased at an average annual rate of +3.7% over the period from 2012 to 2021; the trend pattern remained consistent, with somewhat noticeable fluctuations being observed in certain years. As a result, the exports attained the peak and are likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

In value terms, paper bag exports skyrocketed to $X in 2021. Total exports indicated a buoyant increase from 2012 to 2021: its value increased at an average annual rate of +7.6% over the last nine-year period. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2021 figures, exports increased by +78.9% against 2016 indices. As a result, the exports attained the peak and are likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

Exports by Country

China dominates exports structure, reaching X tons, which was approx. 89% of total exports in 2021. South Korea (X tons), Taiwan (Chinese) (X tons) and Hong Kong SAR (X tons) followed a long way behind the leaders.

China was also the fastest-growing in terms of the sacks and bags of paper exports, with a CAGR of +4.4% from 2012 to 2021. At the same time, Taiwan (Chinese) (+4.0%) and South Korea (+3.9%) displayed positive paces of growth. By contrast, Hong Kong SAR (-8.2%) illustrated a downward trend over the same period. While the share of China (+4.8 p.p.) increased significantly in terms of the total exports from 2012-2021, the share of Hong Kong SAR (-4.9 p.p.) displayed negative dynamics. The shares of the other countries remained relatively stable throughout the analyzed period.

In value terms, China ($X) remains the largest paper bag supplier in Eastern Asia, comprising 91% of total exports. The second position in the ranking was taken by Hong Kong SAR ($X), with a 3.2% share of total exports. It was followed by South Korea, with a 2.4% share.

In China, paper bag exports expanded at an average annual rate of +9.0% over the period from 2012-2021. The remaining exporting countries recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: Hong Kong SAR (-5.2% per year) and South Korea (+2.2% per year).

Export Prices by Country

The export price in Eastern Asia stood at $X per ton in 2021, surging by 10% against the previous year. Over the period from 2012 to 2021, it increased at an average annual rate of +3.8%. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2017 when the export price increased by 19%. The level of export peaked in 2021 and is likely to see steady growth in the near future.

Prices varied noticeably by country of origin: amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was Hong Kong SAR ($X per ton), while South Korea ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by China (+4.4%), while the other leaders experienced mixed trends in the export price figures.

Paper Bag Imports

Imports in Eastern Asia

After four years of decline, purchases abroad of sacks and bags of paper increased by 9.9% to X tons in 2021. In general, imports, however, continue to indicate a relatively flat trend pattern. The volume of import peaked at X tons in 2016; however, from 2017 to 2021, imports remained at a lower figure.

In value terms, paper bag imports skyrocketed to $X in 2021. The total import value increased at an average annual rate of +1.1% over the period from 2012 to 2021; the trend pattern remained relatively stable, with only minor fluctuations throughout the analyzed period. As a result, imports attained the peak and are likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

Imports by Country

Hong Kong SAR was the key importer of sacks and bags of paper in Eastern Asia, with the volume of imports reaching X tons, which was near 43% of total imports in 2021. Japan (X tons) took the second position in the ranking, followed by South Korea (X tons) and Taiwan (Chinese) (X tons). All these countries together held approx. 51% share of total imports. China (X tons) took a relatively small share of total imports.

Imports into Hong Kong SAR decreased at an average annual rate of -2.3% from 2012 to 2021. At the same time, Taiwan (Chinese) (+7.7%) and South Korea (+5.7%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, Taiwan (Chinese) emerged as the fastest-growing importer imported in Eastern Asia, with a CAGR of +7.7% from 2012-2021. Japan experienced a relatively flat trend pattern. By contrast, China (-8.2%) illustrated a downward trend over the same period. From 2012 to 2021, the share of South Korea and Taiwan (Chinese) increased by +7.9 and +6 percentage points, respectively. The shares of the other countries remained relatively stable throughout the analyzed period.

In value terms, Japan ($X), Hong Kong SAR ($X) and South Korea ($X) appeared to be the countries with the highest levels of imports in 2021, with a combined 79% share of total imports. These countries were followed by Taiwan (Chinese) and China, which together accounted for a further 20%.

Taiwan (Chinese), with a CAGR of +8.0%, saw the highest growth rate of the value of imports, among the main importing countries over the period under review, while purchases for the other leaders experienced mixed trends in the imports figures.

Import Prices by Country

The import price in Eastern Asia stood at $X per ton in 2021, rising by 9.5% against the previous year. Over the last nine years, it increased at an average annual rate of +1.8%. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2018 when the import price increased by 10%. The level of import peaked in 2021 and is likely to see gradual growth in the near future.

There were significant differences in the average prices amongst the major importing countries. In 2021, amid the top importers, the country with the highest price was China ($X per ton), while Hong Kong SAR ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by China (+4.1%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Platform

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