EU: Plastic Bag Market 2024

Plastic Bag Market Size in the EU

In 2022, the EU plastic bag market increased by 7.9% to $X, rising for the third consecutive year after two years of decline. In general, consumption, however, recorded a relatively flat trend pattern. Over the period under review, the market reached the peak level at $X in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, consumption failed to regain momentum.

Plastic Bag Production in the EU

In value terms, plastic bag production rose notably to $X in 2022 estimated in export price. Over the period under review, production showed a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2020 when the production volume increased by 14% against the previous year. The level of production peaked in 2022 and is likely to see steady growth in the near future.

Plastic Bag Exports

Exports in the EU

In 2022, the amount of plastic sacks and bags exported in the European Union declined slightly to X tons, which is down by -1.6% on the year before. The total export volume increased at an average annual rate of +2.8% over the period from 2012 to 2022; however, the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2017 when exports increased by 10%. Over the period under review, the exports reached the maximum at X tons in 2021, and then contracted modestly in the following year.

In value terms, plastic bag exports stood at $X in 2022. The total export value increased at an average annual rate of +3.5% over the period from 2012 to 2022; however, the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded in certain years. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2021 when exports increased by 19%. Over the period under review, the exports attained the maximum in 2022 and are expected to retain growth in the near future.

Exports by Country

Germany (X tons) and Poland (X tons) represented roughly 38% of total exports in 2022. Italy (X tons) took the next position in the ranking, followed by the Netherlands (X tons), Spain (X tons) and France (X tons). All these countries together held near 32% share of total exports. Bulgaria (X tons), Lithuania (X tons), Sweden (X tons), Belgium (X tons), Slovakia (X tons), the Czech Republic (X tons) and Austria (X tons) followed a long way behind the leaders.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of shipments, amongst the leading exporting countries, was attained by Poland (with a CAGR of +8.0%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, Germany ($X), Poland ($X) and Italy ($X) were the countries with the highest levels of exports in 2022, together accounting for 47% of total exports.

Poland, with a CAGR of +8.6%, saw the highest growth rate of the value of exports, in terms of the main exporting countries over the period under review, while shipments for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Export Prices by Country

In 2022, the export price in the European Union amounted to $X per ton, increasing by 2.8% against the previous year. In general, the export price saw a relatively flat trend pattern. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2021 an increase of 15% against the previous year. The level of export peaked in 2022 and is likely to continue growth in years to come.

There were significant differences in the average prices amongst the major exporting countries. In 2022, amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was Austria ($X per ton), while Bulgaria ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by the Netherlands (+3.7%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Plastic Bag Imports

Imports in the EU

In 2022, overseas purchases of plastic sacks and bags increased by 3.5% to X tons, rising for the fourth consecutive year after two years of decline. The total import volume increased at an average annual rate of +2.4% from 2012 to 2022; the trend pattern remained relatively stable, with only minor fluctuations throughout the analyzed period. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2021 with an increase of 7% against the previous year. The volume of import peaked in 2022 and is expected to retain growth in the near future.

In value terms, plastic bag imports reached $X in 2022. The total import value increased at an average annual rate of +3.3% over the period from 2012 to 2022; the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded in certain years. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2021 with an increase of 19% against the previous year. The level of import peaked in 2022 and is expected to retain growth in years to come.

Imports by Country

The countries with the highest levels of plastic bag imports in 2022 were Germany (X tons), the Netherlands (X tons) and France (X tons), together accounting for 49% of total import. Belgium (X tons) took a 6.9% share (based on physical terms) of total imports, which put it in second place, followed by Spain (5.5%) and Poland (4.5%). Italy (X tons), Denmark (X tons), the Czech Republic (X tons), Austria (X tons), Sweden (X tons), Ireland (X tons) and Romania (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 main importing countries, was attained by Poland (with a CAGR of +7.2%), while imports for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, the largest plastic bag importing markets in the European Union were Germany ($X), France ($X) and the Netherlands ($X), together comprising 46% of total imports. Spain, Belgium, Poland, Italy, Ireland, Austria, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Sweden and Romania lagged somewhat behind, together comprising a further 43%.

Among the main importing countries, Ireland, with a CAGR of +8.1%, saw 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

The import price in the European Union stood at $X per ton in 2022, surging by 2.1% against the previous year. In general, the import price saw a relatively flat trend pattern. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2021 when the import price increased by 11%. Over the period under review, import prices hit record highs in 2022 and is likely to continue growth in years to come.

Prices varied noticeably by country of destination: amid the top importers, the country with the highest price was Ireland ($X per ton), while the Netherlands ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by the Netherlands (+4.3%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Platform

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