Eastern Europe: Plastic Box Market 2024

Plastic Box Market Size in Eastern Europe

In 2022, the East European plastic box market decreased by -2.8% to $X, falling for the third consecutive year after four years of growth. The total consumption indicated a slight expansion from 2012 to 2022: its value increased at an average annual rate of +1.5% over the last decade. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2022 figures, consumption decreased by -17.0% against 2019 indices. As a result, consumption reached the peak level of $X. From 2020 to 2022, the growth of the market remained at a lower figure.

Plastic Box Production in Eastern Europe

In value terms, plastic box production amounted to $X in 2022 estimated in export price. The total output 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 in certain years. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2017 with an increase of 27% against the previous year. Over the period under review, production attained the peak level at $X in 2018; afterwards, it flattened through to 2022.

Plastic Box Exports

Exports in Eastern Europe

After two years of growth, shipments abroad of plastic boxes, cases, crates and similar packing articles decreased by -1.3% to X tons in 2022. Total exports indicated prominent growth from 2012 to 2022: its volume increased at an average annual rate of +6.1% 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 +109.6% against 2019 indices. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2021 with an increase of 46%. As a result, the exports reached the peak of X tons, and then contracted slightly in the following year.

In value terms, plastic box exports dropped to $X in 2022. Total exports indicated a prominent expansion from 2012 to 2022: its value increased at an average annual rate of +6.0% 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 +128.1% against 2019 indices. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2020 with an increase of 86%. Over the period under review, the exports hit record highs at $X in 2021, and then reduced in the following year.

Exports by Country

Poland represented the key exporting country with an export of about X tons, which amounted to 49% of total exports. The Czech Republic (X tons) took a 16% share (based on physical terms) of total exports, which put it in second place, followed by Hungary (7.6%), Slovakia (6.8%) and Belarus (5.4%). Bulgaria (X tons), Russia (X tons) and Estonia (X tons) took a relatively small share of total exports.

Exports from Poland increased at an average annual rate of +6.9% from 2012 to 2022. At the same time, Bulgaria (+12.3%), Russia (+11.9%), Hungary (+9.4%), the Czech Republic (+6.1%), Slovakia (+3.3%), Belarus (+1.3%) and Estonia (+1.1%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, Bulgaria emerged as the fastest-growing exporter exported in Eastern Europe, with a CAGR of +12.3% from 2012-2022. Poland (+3.5 p.p.), Hungary (+2 p.p.) and Bulgaria (+1.5 p.p.) significantly strengthened its position in terms of the total exports, while Slovakia and Belarus saw its share reduced by -2% and -3.2% from 2012 to 2022, respectively. The shares of the other countries remained relatively stable throughout the analyzed period.

In value terms, Poland ($X) remains the largest plastic box supplier in Eastern Europe, comprising 47% of total exports. The second position in the ranking was held by the Czech Republic ($X), with a 19% share of total exports. It was followed by Hungary, with a 7.6% share.

In Poland, plastic box exports increased at an average annual rate of +7.3% over the period from 2012-2022. The remaining exporting countries recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: the Czech Republic (+7.2% per year) and Hungary (+8.0% per year).

Export Prices by Country

In 2022, the export price in Eastern Europe amounted to $X per ton, leveling off at the previous year. Overall, the export price saw a relatively flat trend pattern. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2020 when the export price increased by 28% against the previous year. As a result, the export price attained the peak level of $X per ton. From 2021 to 2022, the export prices failed to regain momentum.

Average prices varied somewhat amongst the major exporting countries. In 2022, major exporting countries recorded the following prices: in Estonia ($X per ton) and the Czech Republic ($X per ton), while Bulgaria ($X per ton) and Russia ($X per ton) were amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Bulgaria (+1.5%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Plastic Box Imports

Imports in Eastern Europe

For the third year in a row, Eastern Europe recorded growth in supplies from abroad of plastic boxes, cases, crates and similar packing articles, which increased by less than 0.1% to X tons in 2022. Total imports indicated a prominent increase from 2012 to 2022: its volume increased at an average annual rate of +5.5% over the last decade. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2022 figures, imports increased by +51.3% against 2019 indices. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2020 with an increase of 27% against the previous year. The volume of import peaked in 2022 and is likely to see gradual growth in years to come.

In value terms, plastic box imports shrank to $X in 2022. Total imports indicated a remarkable increase from 2012 to 2022: its value increased at an average annual rate of +5.1% over the last decade. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2022 figures, imports increased by +52.5% against 2019 indices. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2021 when imports increased by 27% against the previous year. As a result, imports reached the peak of $X, and then declined in the following year.

Imports by Country

In 2022, Poland (X tons), distantly followed by the Czech Republic (X tons), Hungary (X tons), Romania (X tons), Russia (X tons) and Slovakia (X tons) were the major importers of plastic boxes, cases, crates and similar packing articles, together achieving 85% of total imports. Bulgaria (X tons) held a minor share of total imports.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of purchases, amongst the leading importing countries, was attained by Bulgaria (with a CAGR of +12.9%), while imports for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, Poland ($X), the Czech Republic ($X) and Hungary ($X) were the countries with the highest levels of imports in 2022, with a combined 63% share of total imports. Romania, Russia, Slovakia and Bulgaria lagged somewhat behind, together comprising a further 25%.

Bulgaria, with a CAGR of +11.0%, recorded the highest rates of growth with regard to the value of imports, in terms of the main importing countries over the period under review, while purchases for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Import Prices by Country

The import price in Eastern Europe stood at $X per ton in 2022, reducing by -5.6% against the previous year. In general, the import price recorded a relatively flat trend pattern. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2017 an increase of 7.4%. Over the period under review, import prices hit record highs at $X per ton in 2014; however, from 2015 to 2022, import prices remained at a lower figure.

Average prices varied somewhat amongst the major importing countries. In 2022, major importing countries recorded the following prices: in the Czech Republic ($X per ton) and Hungary ($X per ton), while Bulgaria ($X per ton) and Poland ($X per ton) were amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Hungary (+2.7%), while the other leaders experienced mixed trends in the import price figures.

Source: IndexBox Platform

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