Ireland: Plastic Container Market 2025

Plastic Container Market Size in Ireland

The Irish plastic container market contracted to $X in 2021, reducing by -7.5% against the previous year. Overall, consumption saw a abrupt setback. Over the period under review, the market attained the peak level at $X in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2021, consumption failed to regain momentum.

Plastic Container Production in Ireland

In value terms, plastic container production expanded sharply to $X in 2021 estimated in export price. Over the period under review, production recorded a perceptible decrease. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2014 with an increase of 13%. Plastic container production peaked at $X in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2021, production failed to regain momentum.

Plastic Container Exports

Exports from Ireland

In 2021, shipments abroad of plastic containers was finally on the rise to reach X tons for the first time since 2018, thus ending a two-year declining trend. In general, exports posted a resilient increase. As a result, the exports reached the peak and are likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

In value terms, plastic container exports surged to $X in 2021. Overall, exports recorded a noticeable expansion. Over the period under review, the exports hit record highs at $X in 2018; however, from 2019 to 2021, the exports remained at a lower figure.

Exports by Country

The UK (X tons) was the main destination for plastic container exports from Ireland, with a 77% share of total exports. Moreover, plastic container exports to the UK exceeded the volume sent to the second major destination, New Zealand (X tons), fivefold. The third position in this ranking was held by Australia (X tons), with a 2.9% share.

From 2012 to 2021, the average annual growth rate of volume to the UK amounted to +10.7%. Exports to the other major destinations recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: New Zealand (+30.6% per year) and Australia (+8.0% per year).

In value terms, the UK ($X) remains the key foreign market for plastic containers exports from Ireland, comprising 66% of total exports. The second position in the ranking was taken by New Zealand ($X), with a 13% share of total exports. It was followed by the United States, with a 6.1% share.

From 2012 to 2021, the average annual rate of growth in terms of value to the UK amounted to +5.9%. Exports to the other major destinations recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: New Zealand (+30.9% per year) and the United States (-2.0% per year).

Export Prices by Country

In 2021, the average plastic container export price amounted to $X per ton, declining by -18.1% against the previous year. In general, the export price continues to indicate a noticeable curtailment. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2014 an increase of 25% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the average export prices attained the maximum at $X per ton in 2017; however, from 2018 to 2021, the export prices failed to regain momentum.

There were significant differences in the average prices for the major export markets. In 2021, the country with the highest price was the United States ($X per ton), while the average price for exports to New Zealand ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was recorded for supplies to the United States (+18.4%), while the prices for the other major destinations experienced mixed trend patterns.

Plastic Container Imports

Imports into Ireland

In 2021, supplies from abroad of plastic containers decreased by -25.8% to X tons, falling for the third consecutive year after seven years of growth. In general, imports, however, posted a buoyant increase. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2014 with an increase of 71% against the previous year. Over the period under review, imports hit record highs at X tons in 2018; however, from 2019 to 2021, imports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

In value terms, plastic container imports skyrocketed to $X in 2021. Over the period under review, total imports indicated a buoyant expansion from 2012 to 2021: its value increased at an average annual rate of +8.3% over the last nine-year period. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. As a result, imports attained the peak and are likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

Imports by Country

In 2021, the UK (X tons) constituted the largest plastic container supplier to Ireland, accounting for a 50% share of total imports. Moreover, plastic container imports from the UK exceeded the figures recorded by the second-largest supplier, the United States (X tons), fivefold. The third position in this ranking was taken by Israel (X tons), with a 5.7% share.

From 2012 to 2021, the average annual rate of growth in terms of volume from the UK stood at +13.9%. The remaining supplying countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: the United States (+14.0% per year) and Israel (+20.4% per year).

In value terms, the UK ($X), the United States ($X) and Germany ($X) were the largest plastic container suppliers to Ireland, together comprising 69% of total imports. China, Israel, Spain, France, the Netherlands, India, Latvia, Belgium and Turkey lagged somewhat behind, together comprising a further 24%.

Among the main suppliers, Latvia, with a CAGR of +74.4%, recorded 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 container import price stood at $X per ton in 2021, with an increase of 70% against the previous year. In general, the import price, however, continues to indicate a pronounced setback. The import price peaked at $X per ton in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2021, import prices stood at a somewhat lower figure.

There were significant differences in the average prices amongst the major supplying countries. In 2021, the country with the highest price was the United States ($X per ton), while the price for Belgium ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Spain (+5.7%), while the prices for the other major suppliers experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Platform

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