Ireland: Container Market 2025

Container Market Size in Ireland

In 2022, the Irish container market decreased by -11.5% to $X for the first time since 2019, thus ending a two-year rising trend. Over the period under review, consumption, however, recorded a remarkable increase. As a result, consumption attained the peak level of $X. From 2019 to 2022, the growth of the market remained at a somewhat lower figure.

Container Production in Ireland

In value terms, container production stood at less than $X in 2022 estimated in export price. In general, production recorded a relatively flat trend pattern.

Container Exports

Exports from Ireland

In 2022, overseas shipments of tanks, casks, drums, cans, boxes and similar containers increased by 31% to X units, rising for the second consecutive year after two years of decline. Over the period under review, total exports indicated a measured expansion from 2012 to 2022: its volume increased at an average annual rate of +4.8% 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 +48.2% against 2020 indices. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2018 with an increase of 66% against the previous year. The exports peaked in 2022 and are expected to retain growth in the immediate term.

In value terms, container exports amounted to $X in 2022. In general, exports saw buoyant growth. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2017 when exports increased by 45% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the exports attained the peak figure at $X in 2019; however, from 2020 to 2022, the exports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Exports by Country

The UK (X units) was the main destination for container exports from Ireland, accounting for a 83% share of total exports. Moreover, container exports to the UK exceeded the volume sent to the second major destination, Sweden (X units), ninefold. The third position in this ranking was taken by Germany (X units), with a 3.4% share.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual growth rate of volume to the UK amounted to +14.9%. Exports to the other major destinations recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: Sweden (+4.8% per year) and Germany (+17.6% per year).

In value terms, the United States ($X), the UK ($X) and Sweden ($X) constituted the largest markets for container exported from Ireland worldwide.

In terms of the main countries of destination, the UK, with a CAGR of +19.1%, saw 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 container export price stood at $X per unit in 2022, reducing by -23.1% against the previous year. Overall, the export price, however, showed a relatively flat trend pattern. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2014 an increase of 73%. Over the period under review, the average export prices reached the maximum at $X per unit in 2017; however, from 2018 to 2022, the export prices remained at a lower figure.

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

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was recorded for supplies to the United States (+13.6%), while the prices for the other major destinations experienced mixed trend patterns.

Container Imports

Imports into Ireland

After two years of growth, overseas purchases of tanks, casks, drums, cans, boxes and similar containers decreased by -12.4% to X units in 2022. In general, imports, however, enjoyed a buoyant expansion. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2018 with an increase of 577%. As a result, imports reached the peak of X units. From 2019 to 2022, the growth of imports remained at a somewhat lower figure.

In value terms, container imports expanded rapidly to $X in 2022. Overall, total imports indicated a moderate increase from 2012 to 2022: its value increased at an average annual rate of +4.5% 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 +28.4% against 2020 indices. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2018 when imports increased by 97% against the previous year. As a result, imports attained the peak of $X. From 2019 to 2022, the growth of imports failed to regain momentum.

Imports by Country

In 2022, the UK (X units) constituted the largest supplier of container to Ireland, with a 32% share of total imports. Moreover, container imports from the UK exceeded the figures recorded by the second-largest supplier, Italy (X units), threefold. The third position in this ranking was taken by Germany (X units), with a 5.8% share.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual rate of growth in terms of volume from the UK totaled +13.1%. The remaining supplying countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: Italy (+20.5% per year) and Germany (-0.8% per year).

In value terms, the UK ($X) constituted the largest supplier of tanks, casks, drums, cans, boxes and similar containers to Ireland, comprising 52% of total imports. The second position in the ranking was held by Germany ($X), with a 12% share of total imports. It was followed by China, with a 5.9% share.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual growth rate of value from the UK stood at +13.2%. The remaining supplying countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: Germany (-0.3% per year) and China (+16.0% per year).

Import Prices by Country

In 2022, the average container import price amounted to $X per unit, with an increase of 27% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the import price, however, showed a deep setback. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2014 an increase of 340% against the previous year. As a result, import price attained the peak level of $X per unit. From 2015 to 2022, the average import prices remained at a somewhat lower figure.

There were significant differences in the average prices amongst the major supplying countries. In 2022, amid the top importers, the country with the highest price was China ($X per unit), while the price for Italy (less than $X per unit) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by the Netherlands (+9.7%), while the prices for the other major suppliers experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Platform

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