Latin America and the Caribbean: Paper Bag Market 2025

Paper Bag Market Size in Latin America and the Caribbean

The Latin American paper bag market rose modestly to $X in 2021, with an increase of 2.7% against the previous year. Overall, consumption, however, saw a relatively flat trend pattern. As a result, consumption attained the peak level of $X. From 2015 to 2021, the growth of the market remained at a lower figure.

Paper Bag Production in Latin America and the Caribbean

In value terms, paper bag production amounted to $X in 2021 estimated in export price. In general, production showed a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2014 when the production volume increased by 6.7%. As a result, production attained the peak level of $X. From 2015 to 2021, production growth failed to regain momentum.

Paper Bag Exports

Exports in Latin America and the Caribbean

In 2021, exports of sacks and bags of paper in Latin America and the Caribbean was estimated at X tons, with an increase of 8.4% on the year before. The total export volume increased at an average annual rate of +2.1% over the period from 2012 to 2021; the trend pattern remained consistent, with only minor fluctuations in certain years. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2014 when exports increased by 10%. Over the period under review, the exports attained the peak figure in 2021 and are likely to see gradual growth in the immediate term.

In value terms, paper bag exports skyrocketed to $X in 2021. The total export value increased at an average annual rate of +4.5% over the period from 2012 to 2021; the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. As a result, the exports attained the peak and are likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

Exports by Country

In 2021, Mexico (X tons), Guatemala (X tons) and Brazil (X tons) represented the major exporter of sacks and bags of paper in Latin America and the Caribbean, committing 71% of total export. It was distantly followed by El Salvador (X tons) and Honduras (X tons), together mixing up a 13% share of total exports. Costa Rica (X tons) and Colombia (X tons) held a relatively small share of total exports.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of shipments, amongst the leading exporting countries, was attained by Brazil (with a CAGR of +8.1%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, Mexico ($X) remains the largest paper bag supplier in Latin America and the Caribbean, comprising 45% of total exports. The second position in the ranking was held by Guatemala ($X), with a 13% share of total exports. It was followed by Brazil, with a 12% share.

In Mexico, paper bag exports increased at an average annual rate of +8.0% over the period from 2012-2021. In the other countries, the average annual rates were as follows: Guatemala (+1.7% per year) and Brazil (+4.3% per year).

Export Prices by Country

In 2021, the export price in Latin America and the Caribbean amounted to $X per ton, growing by 6.8% against the previous year. Over the period from 2012 to 2021, it increased at an average annual rate of +2.3%. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2018 when the export price increased by 7.2% against the previous year. The level of export peaked in 2021 and is expected to retain growth in years to come.

There were significant differences in the average prices amongst the major exporting countries. In 2021, amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was Mexico ($X per ton), while Guatemala ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Mexico (+6.4%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Paper Bag Imports

Imports in Latin America and the Caribbean

In 2021, imports of sacks and bags of paper in Latin America and the Caribbean surged to X tons, with an increase of 19% on 2020 figures. The total import volume increased at an average annual rate of +1.2% over the period from 2012 to 2021; the trend pattern remained relatively stable, with somewhat noticeable fluctuations being recorded in certain years. As a result, imports attained the peak and are likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

In value terms, paper bag imports skyrocketed to $X in 2021. The total import value increased at an average annual rate of +2.1% over the period from 2012 to 2021; the trend pattern remained relatively stable, with only minor fluctuations being observed throughout the analyzed period. As a result, imports reached the peak and are likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

Imports by Country

In 2021, Mexico (X tons) represented the key importer of sacks and bags of paper, constituting 49% of total imports. Costa Rica (X tons) ranks second in terms of the total imports with a 6.2% share, followed by Chile (5%). Bolivia (X tons), Panama (X tons), Guatemala (X tons), the Dominican Republic (X tons), Brazil (X tons), Honduras (X tons), Uruguay (X tons), Argentina (X tons), Nicaragua (X tons) and Jamaica (X tons) followed a long way behind the leaders.

From 2012 to 2021, average annual rates of growth with regard to paper bag imports into Mexico stood at -1.1%. At the same time, Panama (+34.2%), Bolivia (+18.8%), Nicaragua (+18.8%), Chile (+15.1%), Jamaica (+7.7%), the Dominican Republic (+7.0%), Argentina (+6.2%), Uruguay (+3.0%), Guatemala (+2.6%) and Costa Rica (+1.8%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, Panama emerged as the fastest-growing importer imported in Latin America and the Caribbean, with a CAGR of +34.2% from 2012-2021. By contrast, Honduras (-2.2%) and Brazil (-6.6%) illustrated a downward trend over the same period. From 2012 to 2021, the share of Panama, Chile, Bolivia and Nicaragua increased by +3.6, +3.4, +3.1 and +1.6 percentage points, respectively. The shares of the other countries remained relatively stable throughout the analyzed period.

In value terms, Mexico ($X) constitutes the largest market for imported sacks and bags of paper in Latin America and the Caribbean, comprising 53% of total imports. The second position in the ranking was held by Chile ($X), with a 4.7% share of total imports. It was followed by Costa Rica, with a 4.6% share.

In Mexico, paper bag imports expanded at an average annual rate of +1.0% over the period from 2012-2021. In the other countries, the average annual rates were as follows: Chile (+11.0% per year) and Costa Rica (+3.8% per year).

Import Prices by Country

The import price in Latin America and the Caribbean stood at $X per ton in 2021, increasing by 5% against the previous year. In general, the import price showed a relatively flat trend pattern. As a result, import price attained the peak level and is likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

Prices varied noticeably by country of destination: amid the top importers, the country with the highest price was Brazil ($X per ton), while Bolivia ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Brazil (+4.1%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Platform

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