Japan: Plastic Box Market 2025

Plastic Box Market Size in Japan

The Japanese plastic box market declined modestly to $X in 2022, with a decrease of -2.1% against the previous year. Over the period under review, consumption showed a slight downturn. Over the period under review, the market reached the peak level at $X in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2022, consumption failed to regain momentum.

Plastic Box Production in Japan

In value terms, plastic box production dropped slightly to $X in 2022 estimated in export price. Overall, production saw a relatively flat trend pattern. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2013 with an increase of 24% against the previous year. As a result, production attained the peak level of $X. From 2014 to 2022, production growth remained at a lower figure.

Plastic Box Exports

Exports from Japan

Plastic box exports from Japan dropped rapidly to X tons in 2022, declining by -20.7% against the year before. Overall, exports recorded a pronounced setback. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2021 when exports increased by 44% against the previous year. The exports peaked at X tons in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, the exports remained at a lower figure.

In value terms, plastic box exports fell to $X in 2022. In general, exports continue to indicate a pronounced reduction. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2021 when exports increased by 27% against the previous year. The exports peaked at $X in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, the exports remained at a lower figure.

Exports by Country

China (X tons) was the main destination for plastic box exports from Japan, accounting for a 33% share of total exports. Moreover, plastic box exports to China exceeded the volume sent to the second major destination, South Korea (X tons), threefold. The United States (X tons) ranked third in terms of total exports with a 12% share.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual growth rate of volume to China was relatively modest. Exports to the other major destinations recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: South Korea (-0.3% per year) and the United States (+2.4% per year).

In value terms, China ($X), South Korea ($X) and the United States ($X) were the largest markets for plastic box exported from Japan worldwide, with a combined 61% share of total exports. Taiwan (Chinese), Singapore, Germany, Vietnam, Malaysia, the Philippines, Thailand, Hong Kong SAR, Indonesia and Australia lagged somewhat behind, together comprising a further 33%.

In terms of the main countries of destination, Australia, with a CAGR of +6.9%, 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

In 2022, the average plastic box export price amounted to $X per ton, growing by 13% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the export price showed a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2016 when the average export price increased by 15% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the average export prices reached the peak figure at $X per ton in 2020; afterwards, it flattened through to 2022.

Prices varied noticeably by country of destination: amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was Singapore ($X per ton), while the average price for exports to Indonesia ($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 Hong Kong SAR (+4.7%), while the prices for the other major destinations experienced more modest paces of growth.

Plastic Box Imports

Imports into Japan

In 2022, imports of plastic boxes, cases, crates and similar packing articles into Japan fell modestly to X tons, declining by -4.6% on the previous year's figure. Over the period under review, imports continue to indicate a abrupt contraction. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2014 when imports increased by 12% against the previous year. Over the period under review, imports hit record highs at X tons in 2016; however, from 2017 to 2022, imports failed to regain momentum.

In value terms, plastic box imports reduced modestly to $X in 2022. In general, imports saw a deep reduction. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2016 with an increase of 15% against the previous year. As a result, imports reached the peak of $X. From 2017 to 2022, the growth of imports failed to regain momentum.

Imports by Country

In 2022, China (X tons) constituted the largest plastic box supplier to Japan, with a 69% share of total imports. Moreover, plastic box imports from China exceeded the figures recorded by the second-largest supplier, the United States (X tons), more than tenfold. Vietnam (X tons) ranked third in terms of total imports with a 4.1% share.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual growth rate of volume from China stood at -10.8%. The remaining supplying countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: the United States (-6.2% per year) and Vietnam (-17.3% per year).

In value terms, China ($X) constituted the largest supplier of plastic boxes, cases, crates and similar packing articles to Japan, comprising 50% of total imports. The second position in the ranking was held by the United States ($X), with a 13% share of total imports. It was followed by South Korea, with a 9.5% share.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual growth rate of value from China stood at -9.6%. The remaining supplying countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: the United States (-1.2% per year) and South Korea (-2.8% per year).

Import Prices by Country

In 2022, the average plastic box import price amounted to $X per ton, growing by 3.1% against the previous year. Overall, the import price saw a remarkable increase. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2018 when the average import price increased by 39% against the previous year. Over the period under review, average import prices hit record highs in 2022 and is expected to retain growth in the near future.

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 South Korea ($X per ton), while the price for the Netherlands ($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 Philippines (+21.0%), while the prices for the other major suppliers experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Platform

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