France: Plastic Box Market 2025

Plastic Box Market Size in France

In 2022, the French plastic box market decreased by -21.4% to $X for the first time since 2018, thus ending a three-year rising trend. Overall, the total consumption indicated modest growth from 2012 to 2022: its value increased at an average annual rate of +1.7% over the last decade. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Plastic box consumption peaked at $X in 2021, and then declined markedly in the following year.

Plastic Box Production in France

In value terms, plastic box production rose significantly to $X in 2022 estimated in export price. Overall, production, however, continues to indicate a relatively flat trend pattern. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2017 with an increase of 24% against the previous year. Plastic box production peaked in 2022 and is expected to retain growth in years to come.

Plastic Box Exports

Exports from France

In 2022, shipments abroad of plastic boxes, cases, crates and similar packing articles increased by 9.5% to X tons, rising for the second year in a row after two years of decline. The total export volume increased at an average annual rate of +2.5% from 2012 to 2022; the trend pattern remained consistent, with somewhat noticeable fluctuations being observed throughout the analyzed period. As a result, the exports attained the peak and are likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

In value terms, plastic box exports contracted to $X in 2022. The total export value increased at an average annual rate of +1.4% over the period from 2012 to 2022; the trend pattern remained consistent, with somewhat noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2021 with an increase of 16%. As a result, the exports attained the peak of $X, and then dropped modestly in the following year.

Exports by Country

Germany (X tons) was the main destination for plastic box exports from France, accounting for a 31% share of total exports. Moreover, plastic box exports to Germany exceeded the volume sent to the second major destination, Spain (X tons), twofold. The UK (X tons) ranked third in terms of total exports with an 8.3% share.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual growth rate of volume to Germany stood at +3.0%. Exports to the other major destinations recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: Spain (+8.1% per year) and the UK (-3.8% per year).

In value terms, Germany ($X) remains the key foreign market for plastic boxes, cases, crates and similar packing articles exports from France, comprising 28% of total exports. The second position in the ranking was taken by Spain ($X), with a 12% share of total exports. It was followed by the UK, with a 9.8% share.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual rate of growth in terms of value to Germany stood at +1.8%. Exports to the other major destinations recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: Spain (+2.9% per year) and the UK (-1.8% per year).

Export Prices by Country

The average plastic box export price stood at $X per ton in 2022, falling by -12.7% against the previous year. In general, the export price continues to indicate a slight descent. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2021 when the average export price increased by 9.6% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the average export prices reached the maximum at $X per ton in 2014; however, from 2015 to 2022, the export prices stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Prices varied noticeably by country of destination: amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was the United States ($X per ton), while the average price for exports to Morocco ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was recorded for supplies to Tunisia (+3.4%), while the prices for the other major destinations experienced more modest paces of growth.

Plastic Box Imports

Imports into France

In 2022, overseas purchases of plastic boxes, cases, crates and similar packing articles decreased by -3.4% to X tons for the first time since 2017, thus ending a four-year rising trend. Over the period under review, total imports indicated a resilient expansion from 2012 to 2022: its volume increased at an average annual rate of +5.9% 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 +111.6% against 2017 indices. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2018 when imports increased by 39%. Imports peaked at X tons in 2021, and then shrank modestly in the following year.

In value terms, plastic box imports fell to $X in 2022. The total import value increased at an average annual rate of +2.6% over the period from 2012 to 2022; however, the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2021 with an increase of 22%. As a result, imports attained the peak of $X, and then shrank in the following year.

Imports by Country

In 2022, Germany (X tons) constituted the largest supplier of plastic box to France, with a 31% share of total imports. Moreover, plastic box imports from Germany exceeded the figures recorded by the second-largest supplier, Belgium (X tons), threefold. The third position in this ranking was held by Spain (X tons), with a 9.4% share.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual growth rate of volume from Germany totaled +3.1%. The remaining supplying countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: Belgium (+7.6% per year) and Spain (+5.8% per year).

In value terms, Germany ($X) constituted the largest supplier of plastic boxes, cases, crates and similar packing articles to France, comprising 35% of total imports. The second position in the ranking was taken by Belgium ($X), with a 10% share of total imports. It was followed by Spain, with an 8.7% share.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual rate of growth in terms of value from Germany stood at +1.7%. The remaining supplying countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: Belgium (+4.0% per year) and Spain (+3.2% per year).

Import Prices by Country

The average plastic box import price stood at $X per ton in 2022, declining by -5.5% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the import price showed a noticeable setback. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2017 when the average import price increased by 51% against the previous year. As a result, import price attained the peak level of $X per ton. From 2018 to 2022, the average import prices remained at a lower figure.

Prices varied noticeably by country of origin: amid the top importers, the country with the highest price was China ($X per ton), while the price for Luxembourg ($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 UK (+0.5%), while the prices for the other major suppliers experienced a decline.

Source: IndexBox Platform

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