Germany: Plastic Box Market 2025

Plastic Box Market Size in Germany

For the third consecutive year, the German plastic box market recorded growth in sales value, which increased by 10% to $X in 2022. The market value increased at an average annual rate of +3.5% from 2012 to 2022; however, the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded in certain years. Plastic box consumption peaked in 2022 and is expected to retain growth in the near future.

Plastic Box Production in Germany

In value terms, plastic box production surged to $X in 2022 estimated in export price. The total output value increased at an average annual rate of +5.1% over the period from 2012 to 2022; however, the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded in certain years. As a result, production reached the peak level and is likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

Plastic Box Exports

Exports from Germany

In 2022, plastic box exports from Germany shrank to X tons, with a decrease of -7% against the year before. In general, total exports indicated a pronounced increase from 2012 to 2022: its volume increased at an average annual rate of +4.6% 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 +5.1% against 2020 indices. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2017 with an increase of 13% against the previous year. The exports peaked at X tons in 2021, and then dropped in the following year.

In value terms, plastic box exports reduced slightly to $X in 2022. The total export value increased at an average annual rate of +3.3% over the period from 2012 to 2022; however, the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2021 when exports increased by 20% against the previous year. As a result, the exports reached the peak of $X, and then contracted slightly in the following year.

Exports by Country

The Netherlands (X tons), France (X tons) and Poland (X tons) were the main destinations of plastic box exports from Germany, with a combined 33% share of total exports. The UK, Switzerland, Belgium, Italy, Austria, Spain, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Sweden and Turkey lagged somewhat behind, together comprising a further 48%.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of shipments, amongst the main countries of destination, was attained by Denmark (with a CAGR of +17.7%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, the Netherlands ($X), France ($X) and the UK ($X) constituted the largest markets for plastic box exported from Germany worldwide, together accounting for 33% of total exports. Poland, Belgium, Switzerland, Austria, Italy, the Czech Republic, Spain, Denmark, Sweden and Turkey lagged somewhat behind, together comprising a further 46%.

In terms of the main countries of destination, Denmark, with a CAGR of +16.6%, 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

The average plastic box export price stood at $X per ton in 2022, rising by 5.1% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the export price, however, saw a mild decrease. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2021 an increase of 6.1%. Over the period under review, the average export prices hit record highs at $X per ton in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2022, the export prices remained at a lower figure.

There were significant differences in the average prices for the major overseas markets. In 2022, amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was France ($X per ton), while the average price for exports to Turkey ($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 Poland (+0.5%), while the prices for the other major destinations experienced a decline.

Plastic Box Imports

Imports into Germany

In 2022, supplies from abroad of plastic boxes, cases, crates and similar packing articles decreased by -16.2% to X tons for the first time since 2019, thus ending a two-year rising trend. Overall, imports, however, continue to indicate mild growth. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2018 when imports increased by 16%. Over the period under review, imports attained the peak figure at X tons in 2021, and then shrank sharply in the following year.

In value terms, plastic box imports contracted to $X in 2022. In general, imports, however, showed a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2021 when imports increased by 23% against the previous year. As a result, imports reached the peak of $X, and then shrank in the following year.

Imports by Country

The Netherlands (X tons), Poland (X tons) and France (X tons) were the main suppliers of plastic box imports to Germany, with a combined 43% share of total imports. Switzerland, Belgium, Italy, Turkey, Spain, the Czech Republic, Austria, China, Portugal and the UK lagged somewhat behind, together comprising a further 48%.

From 2012 to 2022, the biggest increases were recorded for Turkey (with a CAGR of +30.8%), while purchases for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, the Netherlands ($X), Poland ($X) and France ($X) constituted the largest plastic box suppliers to Germany, together accounting for 37% of total imports. China, Belgium, Italy, Turkey, the Czech Republic, Spain, Switzerland, the UK, Portugal and Austria lagged somewhat behind, together accounting for a further 47%.

Among the main suppliers, Turkey, with a CAGR of +32.5%, saw the highest rates of growth with regard to 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 average plastic box import price stood at $X per ton in 2022, with an increase of 1.7% against the previous year. In general, the import price, however, saw a relatively flat trend pattern. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2021 when the average import price increased by 9.7%. The import price peaked at $X per ton in 2014; however, from 2015 to 2022, import prices stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Prices varied noticeably by country of origin: amid the top importers, the country with the highest price was China ($X per ton), while the price for Switzerland ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by France (+2.5%), while the prices for the other major suppliers experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Platform

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