Ireland: Plastic Bag Market 2025

Plastic Bag Market Size in Ireland

After two years of decline, the Irish plastic bag market increased by 69% to $X in 2022. Over the period under review, consumption continues to indicate a resilient increase. As a result, consumption reached the peak level and is likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

Plastic Bag Production in Ireland

In value terms, plastic bag production skyrocketed to $X in 2022 estimated in export price. In general, production, however, saw strong growth. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2021 when the production volume increased by 110% against the previous year. Plastic bag production peaked in 2022 and is expected to retain growth in the near future.

Plastic Bag Exports

Exports from Ireland

In 2022, the amount of plastic sacks and bags exported from Ireland soared to X tons, rising by 52% on the year before. In general, exports, however, recorded a pronounced contraction. Over the period under review, the exports hit record highs at X tons in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, the exports failed to regain momentum.

In value terms, plastic bag exports soared to $X in 2022. Over the period under review, exports posted a remarkable increase. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2021 with an increase of 45%. The exports peaked in 2022 and are likely to see gradual growth in the near future.

Exports by Country

The UK (X tons) was the main destination for plastic bag exports from Ireland, accounting for a 72% share of total exports. Moreover, plastic bag exports to the UK exceeded the volume sent to the second major destination, Belgium (X tons), tenfold. Germany (X tons) ranked third in terms of total exports with a 4.5% share.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual rate of growth in terms of volume to the UK totaled -3.0%. Exports to the other major destinations recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: Belgium (+15.3% per year) and Germany (+0.1% per year).

It was followed by Switzerland, with an 8.7% share.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual rate of growth in terms of value to the UK amounted to +3.3%. Exports to the other major destinations recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: Germany (+14.0% per year) and Switzerland (+23.1% per year).

Export Prices by Country

The average plastic bag export price stood at $X per ton in 2022, shrinking by -17.1% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the export price, however, enjoyed buoyant growth. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2021 an increase of 103% against the previous year. As a result, the export price reached the peak level of $X per ton, and then dropped significantly in the following year.

There were significant differences in the average prices for the major export markets. In 2022, amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was France ($X per ton), while the average price for exports to the UK ($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 France (+17.4%), while the prices for the other major destinations experienced more modest paces of growth.

Plastic Bag Imports

Imports into Ireland

In 2022, the amount of plastic sacks and bags imported into Ireland surged to X tons, rising by 164% compared with the previous year's figure. Over the period under review, imports recorded buoyant growth. Imports peaked at X tons in 2020; however, from 2021 to 2022, imports failed to regain momentum.

In value terms, plastic bag imports skyrocketed to $X in 2022. In general, imports posted a buoyant expansion. As a result, imports reached the peak and are likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

Imports by Country

In 2022, the UK (X tons) constituted the largest plastic bag supplier to Ireland, with a 42% share of total imports. Moreover, plastic bag imports from the UK exceeded the figures recorded by the second-largest supplier, Turkey (X tons), sevenfold. The third position in this ranking was held by Greece (X tons), with a 5.7% share.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual rate of growth in terms of volume from the UK stood at +6.6%. The remaining supplying countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: Turkey (+11.8% per year) and Greece (+43.2% per year).

In value terms, the United States ($X), the UK ($X) and Germany ($X) were the largest plastic bag suppliers to Ireland, together comprising 65% of total imports. China, Poland, the Netherlands, Turkey, India, Greece, Vietnam, France, Malaysia and Italy lagged somewhat behind, together accounting for a further 24%.

Greece, with a CAGR of +44.4%, recorded the highest rates of growth with regard to the value of imports, in terms of the main suppliers over the period under review, while purchases for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Import Prices by Country

In 2022, the average plastic bag import price amounted to $X per ton, growing by 17% against the previous year. Over the period under review, import price indicated modest growth from 2012 to 2022: its price 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. Based on 2022 figures, plastic bag import price increased by +82.0% against 2020 indices. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2021 an increase of 55% against the previous year. Over the period under review, average import prices reached the maximum in 2022 and is expected to retain growth in years to come.

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

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by China (+3.5%), while the prices for the other major suppliers experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Platform

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