Eastern Europe: Natural Polymers Market 2025

Natural Polymers Market Size in Eastern Europe

The East European natural polymers market declined to $X in 2021, shrinking by -5.6% against the previous year. In general, consumption saw a relatively flat trend pattern. Over the period under review, the market reached the maximum level at $X in 2016; however, from 2017 to 2021, consumption stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Natural Polymers Production in Eastern Europe

In value terms, natural polymers production declined slightly to $X in 2021 estimated in export price. Over the period under review, production, however, saw a relatively flat trend pattern. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2013 with an increase of 26%. The level of production peaked at $X in 2016; however, from 2017 to 2021, production remained at a lower figure.

Natural Polymers Exports

Exports in Eastern Europe

After five years of growth, shipments abroad of natural and modified natural polymers in primary forms decreased by -7% to X tons in 2021. Overall, exports, however, showed a buoyant increase. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2019 when exports increased by 77% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the exports hit record highs at X tons in 2020, and then reduced in the following year.

In value terms, natural polymers exports expanded markedly to $X in 2021. In general, exports, however, recorded a resilient increase. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2013 with an increase of 49%. Over the period under review, the exports hit record highs in 2021 and are expected to retain growth in years to come.

Exports by Country

Poland prevails in exports structure, resulting at X tons, which was approx. 62% of total exports in 2021. The Czech Republic (X tons) ranks second in terms of the total exports with an 8.8% share, followed by Ukraine (7%), Estonia (6.4%) and Russia (5.9%). Lithuania (X tons) and Bulgaria (X tons) followed a long way behind the leaders.

From 2012 to 2021, average annual rates of growth with regard to natural polymers exports from Poland stood at +34.4%. At the same time, Estonia (+34.7%), Ukraine (+27.0%), Lithuania (+9.3%), Russia (+8.7%), the Czech Republic (+7.9%) and Bulgaria (+4.5%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, Estonia emerged as the fastest-growing exporter exported in Eastern Europe, with a CAGR of +34.7% from 2012-2021. While the share of Poland (+46 p.p.), Estonia (+4.8 p.p.) and Ukraine (+4.1 p.p.) increased significantly in terms of the total exports from 2012-2021, the share of Lithuania (-1.6 p.p.), Bulgaria (-3.1 p.p.), Russia (-4 p.p.) and the Czech Republic (-7.1 p.p.) displayed negative dynamics.

In value terms, the Czech Republic ($X) remains the largest natural polymers supplier in Eastern Europe, comprising 56% of total exports. The second position in the ranking was held by Poland ($X), with a 26% share of total exports. It was followed by Lithuania, with a 4% share.

From 2012 to 2021, the average annual rate of growth in terms of value in the Czech Republic amounted to +9.1%. The remaining exporting countries recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: Poland (+32.7% per year) and Lithuania (+21.6% per year).

Export Prices by Country

The export price in Eastern Europe stood at $X per ton in 2021, growing by 15% against the previous year. In general, the export price, however, continues to indicate a pronounced downturn. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2014 when the export price increased by 48% against the previous year. As a result, the export price attained the peak level of $X per ton. From 2015 to 2021, the export prices remained at a lower figure.

Prices varied noticeably by country of origin: amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was the Czech Republic ($X per ton), while Ukraine ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Lithuania (+11.2%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Natural Polymers Imports

Imports in Eastern Europe

For the sixth year in a row, Eastern Europe recorded growth in supplies from abroad of natural and modified natural polymers in primary forms, which increased by 4.7% to X tons in 2021. Overall, imports enjoyed a prominent increase. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2018 when imports increased by 23%. Over the period under review, imports attained the peak figure in 2021 and are likely to see steady growth in the near future.

In value terms, natural polymers imports soared to $X in 2021. In general, imports continue to indicate strong growth. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2013 when imports increased by 31% against the previous year. The level of import peaked in 2021 and is likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

Imports by Country

Russia was the major importer of natural and modified natural polymers in primary forms in Eastern Europe, with the volume of imports reaching X tons, which was near 53% of total imports in 2021. Romania (X tons) held the second position in the ranking, followed by Poland (X tons) and Estonia (X tons). All these countries together held approx. 34% share of total imports. The following importers - Hungary (X tons), Ukraine (X tons), Belarus (X tons) and the Czech Republic (X tons) - each accounted for an 8.2% share of total imports.

Imports into Russia increased at an average annual rate of +11.8% from 2012 to 2021. At the same time, Estonia (+56.4%), Romania (+22.3%), Belarus (+18.5%) and the Czech Republic (+1.6%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, Estonia emerged as the fastest-growing importer imported in Eastern Europe, with a CAGR of +56.4% from 2012-2021. Ukraine and Hungary experienced a relatively flat trend pattern. By contrast, Poland (-4.9%) illustrated a downward trend over the same period. While the share of Russia (+15 p.p.), Romania (+11 p.p.) and Estonia (+5.3 p.p.) increased significantly in terms of the total imports from 2012-2021, the share of Ukraine (-2.1 p.p.), Hungary (-2.4 p.p.) and Poland (-26.8 p.p.) displayed negative dynamics. The shares of the other countries remained relatively stable throughout the analyzed period.

In value terms, Russia ($X) constitutes the largest market for imported natural and modified natural polymers in primary forms in Eastern Europe, comprising 45% of total imports. The second position in the ranking was taken by Poland ($X), with a 19% share of total imports. It was followed by Romania, with an 11% share.

From 2012 to 2021, the average annual growth rate of value in Russia totaled +11.6%. The remaining importing countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: Poland (+6.0% per year) and Romania (+17.4% per year).

Import Prices by Country

In 2021, the import price in Eastern Europe amounted to $X per ton, with an increase of 20% against the previous year. Over the last nine years, it increased at an average annual rate of +1.3%. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2013 an increase of 26% against the previous year. As a result, import price attained the peak level of $X per ton. From 2014 to 2021, the import prices failed to regain momentum.

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 the Czech Republic ($X per ton), while Estonia ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Poland (+11.4%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Platform

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