Japan: Plastic Bag Market 2025

Plastic Bag Market Size in Japan

The Japanese plastic bag market fell slightly to $X in 2022, waning by -1.7% against the previous year. Overall, the total consumption indicated a mild increase from 2012 to 2022: its value increased at an average annual rate of +1.9% over the last decade. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2022 figures, consumption increased by +2.6% against 2020 indices. Over the period under review, the market attained the peak level at $X in 2017; however, from 2018 to 2022, consumption failed to regain momentum.

Plastic Bag Production in Japan

In value terms, plastic bag production reduced to $X in 2022 estimated in export price. Over the period under review, the total production indicated moderate growth from 2012 to 2022: its value increased at an average annual rate of +4.3% over the last decade. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2022 figures, production increased by +7.7% against 2020 indices. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2016 when the production volume increased by 55%. Plastic bag production peaked at $X in 2017; however, from 2018 to 2022, production remained at a lower figure.

Plastic Bag Exports

Exports from Japan

Plastic bag exports from Japan shrank to X tons in 2022, declining by -5.2% against the previous year's figure. Overall, exports, however, showed a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2017 with an increase of 8.9%. The exports peaked at X tons in 2018; however, from 2019 to 2022, the exports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

In value terms, plastic bag exports reduced to $X in 2022. In general, exports recorded a pronounced setback. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2017 with an increase of 9.5%. The exports peaked at $X in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, the exports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Exports by Country

The United States (X tons), China (X tons) and Vietnam (X tons) were the main destinations of plastic bag exports from Japan, together comprising 45% of total exports.

From 2012 to 2022, the biggest increases were recorded for Vietnam (with a CAGR of +7.8%), while shipments for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, the United States ($X), China ($X) and Vietnam ($X) were the largest markets for plastic bag exported from Japan worldwide, with a combined 47% share of total exports.

Vietnam, with a CAGR of +5.9%, saw the highest growth rate of the value of exports, in terms of the main countries of destination over the period under review, while shipments for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Export Prices by Country

The average plastic bag export price stood at $X per ton in 2022, shrinking by -9.4% against the previous year. Overall, the export price showed a pronounced setback. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2016 an increase of 9.7%. Over the period under review, the average export prices reached the peak figure at $X per ton in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, the export prices failed to regain momentum.

Average prices varied somewhat for the major foreign markets. In 2022, amid the top suppliers, the highest price was recorded for prices to France ($X per ton) and Vietnam ($X per ton), while the average price for exports to Taiwan (Chinese) ($X per ton) and Thailand ($X per ton) were amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was recorded for supplies to Vietnam (-1.8%), while the prices for the other major destinations experienced a decline.

Plastic Bag Imports

Imports into Japan

In 2022, purchases abroad of plastic sacks and bags was finally on the rise to reach X tons after two years of decline. In general, imports, however, saw a relatively flat trend pattern. Over the period under review, imports attained the maximum at X tons in 2019; however, from 2020 to 2022, imports remained at a lower figure.

In value terms, plastic bag imports surged to $X in 2022. Overall, imports continue to indicate a relatively flat trend pattern. Over the period under review, imports attained the peak figure at $X in 2014; however, from 2015 to 2022, imports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Imports by Country

China (X tons), Vietnam (X tons) and Indonesia (X tons) were the main suppliers of plastic bag imports to Japan, together comprising 77% of total imports.

From 2012 to 2022, the biggest increases were recorded for Vietnam (with a CAGR of +13.3%), while purchases for the other leaders experienced mixed trend patterns.

In value terms, China ($X), Vietnam ($X) and Thailand ($X) were the largest plastic bag suppliers to Japan, with a combined 76% share of total imports.

Among the main suppliers, Vietnam, with a CAGR of +12.2%, 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 bag import price stood at $X per ton in 2022, picking up by 8.2% against the previous year. In general, the import price continues to indicate a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2021 when the average import price increased by 8.8%. Over the period under review, average import prices attained the maximum 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 Thailand ($X per ton), while the price for the Philippines ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Thailand (+2.3%), while the prices for the other major suppliers experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Platform

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