Eastern Europe: Paper Bag Market 2025

Paper Bag Market Size in Eastern Europe

The East European paper bag market declined to $X in 2021, dropping by -11.4% against the previous year. In general, consumption continues to indicate a noticeable decline. The level of consumption peaked at $X in 2014; however, from 2015 to 2021, consumption stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Paper Bag Production in Eastern Europe

In value terms, paper bag production shrank rapidly to $X in 2021 estimated in export price. In general, production recorded a deep setback. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2017 with an increase of 30%. Over the period under review, production hit record highs at $X in 2014; however, from 2015 to 2021, production remained at a lower figure.

Paper Bag Exports

Exports in Eastern Europe

In 2021, approx. X tons of sacks and bags of paper were exported in Eastern Europe; surging by 12% compared with 2020. Total exports indicated a strong expansion from 2012 to 2021: its volume increased at an average annual rate of +7.5% 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 +92.2% against 2012 indices. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2020 with an increase of 17% against the previous year. The volume of export peaked in 2021 and is expected to retain growth in years to come.

In value terms, paper bag exports soared to $X in 2021. Total exports indicated a buoyant expansion from 2012 to 2021: its value increased at an average annual rate of +7.9% 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 +91.2% against 2015 indices. As a result, the exports attained the peak and are likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

Exports by Country

Poland represented the key exporting country with an export of about X tons, which reached 43% of total exports. The Czech Republic (X tons) held a 17% share (based on physical terms) of total exports, which put it in second place, followed by Hungary (9.1%), Russia (8.8%), Romania (5.9%) and Slovakia (4.7%). Lithuania (X tons) and Latvia (X tons) followed a long way behind the leaders.

Exports from Poland increased at an average annual rate of +8.4% from 2012 to 2021. At the same time, Russia (+16.3%), Romania (+14.5%), Hungary (+8.0%), Slovakia (+7.7%), the Czech Republic (+7.0%), Lithuania (+5.6%) and Latvia (+1.1%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, Russia emerged as the fastest-growing exporter exported in Eastern Europe, with a CAGR of +16.3% from 2012-2021. While the share of Russia (+4.4 p.p.), Poland (+3 p.p.) and Romania (+2.5 p.p.) increased significantly in terms of the total exports from 2012-2021, the share of Latvia (-1.6 p.p.) displayed negative dynamics. The shares of the other countries remained relatively stable throughout the analyzed period.

In value terms, Poland ($X) remains the largest paper bag supplier in Eastern Europe, comprising 44% of total exports. The second position in the ranking was taken by the Czech Republic ($X), with a 16% share of total exports. It was followed by Hungary, with an 11% share.

From 2012 to 2021, the average annual growth rate of value in Poland stood at +10.1%. In the other countries, the average annual rates were as follows: the Czech Republic (+5.4% per year) and Hungary (+8.6% per year).

Export Prices by Country

In 2021, the export price in Eastern Europe amounted to $X per ton, surging by 9.6% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the export price recorded a relatively flat trend pattern. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2016 when the export price increased by 10%. Over the period under review, the export prices reached the maximum at $X per ton in 2018; afterwards, it flattened through to 2021.

There were significant differences in the average prices amongst the major exporting countries. In 2021, amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was Hungary ($X per ton), while Latvia ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Latvia (+2.8%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Paper Bag Imports

Imports in Eastern Europe

In 2021, after two years of decline, there was significant growth in supplies from abroad of sacks and bags of paper, when their volume increased by 8.5% to X tons. The total import volume increased at an average annual rate of +4.2% 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 2014 with an increase of 14% against the previous year. The volume of import peaked in 2021 and is likely to see gradual growth in the immediate term.

In value terms, paper bag imports soared to $X in 2021. The total import value increased at an average annual rate of +4.2% over the period from 2012 to 2021; however, the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. As a result, imports reached the peak and are likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

Imports by Country

The purchases of the eight major importers of sacks and bags of paper, namely Poland, the Czech Republic, Hungary, Slovakia, Romania, Russia, Belarus and Lithuania, represented more than two-thirds of total import.

From 2012 to 2021, the biggest increases were recorded for Belarus (with a CAGR of +8.8%), while purchases for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, the largest paper bag importing markets in Eastern Europe were Poland ($X), the Czech Republic ($X) and Hungary ($X), together comprising 54% of total imports.

Hungary, with a CAGR of +7.7%, saw 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 2021, growing by 7.3% against the previous year. Overall, the import price saw a relatively flat trend pattern. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2018 when the import price increased by 8.3%. The level of import peaked at $X per ton in 2013; afterwards, it flattened through to 2021.

Prices varied noticeably by country of destination: amid the top importers, the country with the highest price was Russia ($X per ton), while Belarus ($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 Czech Republic (+2.1%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Platform

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