Europe: Plastic Bag Market 2024

Plastic Bag Market Size in Europe

For the third consecutive year, the Europe plastic bag market recorded growth in sales value, which increased by 0.7% to $X in 2022. Over the period under review, consumption saw a slight decline. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2017 when the market value increased by 5.7%. The level of consumption peaked at $X in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, consumption stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Plastic Bag Production in Europe

In value terms, plastic bag production stood at $X in 2022 estimated in export price. Over the period under review, production showed a mild downturn. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2017 with an increase of 7.1%. Over the period under review, production hit record highs at $X in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2022, production stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Plastic Bag Exports

Exports in Europe

In 2022, the amount of plastic sacks and bags exported in Europe reduced to X tons, with a decrease of -1.8% on the year before. The total export volume increased at an average annual rate of +2.9% 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 9.3%. Over the period under review, the exports hit record highs at X tons in 2021, and then declined in the following year.

In value terms, plastic bag exports amounted to $X in 2022. The total export value increased at an average annual rate of +3.4% over the period from 2012 to 2022; however, the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded in certain years. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2021 when exports increased by 18%. Over the period under review, the exports reached the peak figure in 2022 and are likely to see gradual growth in years to come.

Exports by Country

Germany (X tons) and Poland (X tons) represented roughly 35% of total exports in 2022. Italy (X tons) held a 10% share (based on physical terms) of total exports, which put it in second place, followed by the Netherlands (8.9%) and Spain (6%). France (X tons), the UK (X tons), Bulgaria (X tons), Lithuania (X tons), Sweden (X tons), Belgium (X tons), Slovakia (X tons) and the Czech Republic (X tons) held a relatively small share of total exports.

From 2012 to 2022, the biggest increases were recorded for Poland (with a CAGR of +8.0%), while shipments for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, Germany ($X), Poland ($X) and Italy ($X) constituted the countries with the highest levels of exports in 2022, together accounting for 42% of total exports.

Among the main exporting countries, Poland, with a CAGR of +8.6%, recorded the highest growth rate of the value of exports, 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 Europe amounted to $X per ton, picking up by 2.4% against the previous year. In general, the export price recorded a relatively flat trend pattern. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2021 when the export price increased by 11% against the previous year. The level of export peaked in 2022 and is likely to see gradual 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 France ($X per ton), while Bulgaria ($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 Europe

In 2022, plastic bag imports in Europe rose to X tons, increasing by 3.2% on the previous year's figure. The total import volume increased at an average annual rate of +2.0% from 2012 to 2022; the trend pattern remained relatively stable, with only minor fluctuations being observed in certain years. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2013 when imports increased by 6.1% against the previous year. The volume of import peaked in 2022 and is likely to continue growth in years to come.

In value terms, plastic bag imports expanded significantly to $X in 2022. The total import value increased at an average annual rate of +3.1% over the period from 2012 to 2022; the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded in certain years. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2021 when imports increased by 18%. Over the period under review, imports reached the maximum in 2022 and are likely to see steady growth in the near future.

Imports by Country

The purchases of the four major importers of plastic sacks and bags, namely Germany, the UK, the Netherlands and France, represented more than half of total import. It was distantly followed by Belgium (X tons), generating a 5.4% share of total imports. Spain (X tons), Poland (X tons), Italy (X tons), Denmark (X tons), the Czech Republic (X tons), Switzerland (X tons), Austria (X tons) and Sweden (X tons) took a little share of total imports.

From 2012 to 2022, the biggest increases were recorded for Poland (with a CAGR of +7.2%), while purchases for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, the largest plastic bag importing markets in Europe were Germany ($X), the UK ($X) and France ($X), with a combined 39% share of total imports. The Netherlands, Spain, Belgium, Poland, Italy, Switzerland, Austria, the Czech Republic, Denmark and Sweden lagged somewhat behind, together comprising a further 41%.

In terms of the main importing countries, Poland, with a CAGR of +7.4%, 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 Europe stood at $X per ton in 2022, picking up by 2.6% against the previous year. Over the period from 2012 to 2022, it increased at an average annual rate of +1.0%. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2021 an increase of 12%. Over the period under review, import prices attained the maximum in 2022 and is expected to retain growth in the near future.

There were significant differences in the average prices amongst the major importing countries. In 2022, amid the top importers, the country with the highest price was Switzerland ($X per ton), while the Netherlands ($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