MERCOSUR: Paper Bag Market 2025

Paper Bag Market Size in MERCOSUR

In 2021, the MERCOSUR paper bag market was finally on the rise to reach $X for the first time since 2018, thus ending a two-year declining trend. In general, consumption, however, recorded a mild slump. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2018 when the market value increased by 3.2%. Over the period under review, the market reached the peak level at $X in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2021, consumption stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Paper Bag Production in MERCOSUR

In value terms, paper bag production reached $X in 2021 estimated in export price. Over the period under review, production, however, continues to indicate a slight reduction. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2018 when the production volume increased by 3.7%. Over the period under review, production attained the peak level at $X in 2014; however, from 2015 to 2021, production failed to regain momentum.

Paper Bag Exports

Exports in MERCOSUR

In 2021, exports of sacks and bags of paper in MERCOSUR skyrocketed to X tons, jumping by 24% against the previous year's figure. The total export volume increased at an average annual rate of +3.3% from 2012 to 2021; however, the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded in certain years. As a result, the exports attained the peak and are likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

In value terms, paper bag exports skyrocketed to $X in 2021. Overall, exports continue to indicate a relatively flat trend pattern. As a result, the exports reached the peak and are likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

Exports by Country

Brazil prevails in exports structure, reaching X tons, which was approx. 65% of total exports in 2021. It was distantly followed by Colombia (X tons), Argentina (X tons) and Chile (X tons), together achieving a 24% share of total exports. Peru (X tons), Ecuador (X tons) and Uruguay (X tons) held a minor share of total exports.

Brazil was also the fastest-growing in terms of the sacks and bags of paper exports, with a CAGR of +8.1% from 2012 to 2021. Colombia and Peru experienced a relatively flat trend pattern. Ecuador (-1.4%), Uruguay (-1.9%), Argentina (-2.9%) and Chile (-5.4%) illustrated a downward trend over the same period. Brazil (+22 p.p.) significantly strengthened its position in terms of the total exports, while Uruguay, Ecuador, Peru, Colombia, Argentina and Chile saw its share reduced by -1.6%, -1.8%, -1.8%, -2.2%, -6.7% and -7.4% from 2012 to 2021, respectively.

In value terms, Brazil ($X) remains the largest paper bag supplier in MERCOSUR, comprising 54% of total exports. The second position in the ranking was held by Colombia ($X), with a 12% share of total exports. It was followed by Chile, with a 10% share.

In Brazil, paper bag exports increased at an average annual rate of +4.3% over the period from 2012-2021. The remaining exporting countries recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: Colombia (-2.4% per year) and Chile (-2.3% per year).

Export Prices by Country

The export price in MERCOSUR stood at $X per ton in 2021, waning by -1.8% against the previous year. In general, the export price showed a noticeable slump. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2018 an increase of 3.3% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the export prices attained the peak figure at $X per ton in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2021, the export prices stood at a somewhat lower figure.

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 Uruguay ($X per ton), while Brazil ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Ecuador (+4.4%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Paper Bag Imports

Imports in MERCOSUR

In 2021, paper bag imports in MERCOSUR surged to X tons, jumping by 33% compared with 2020 figures. The total import volume increased at an average annual rate of +1.3% from 2012 to 2021; the trend pattern remained relatively stable, with only minor fluctuations being observed in certain years. As a result, imports reached the peak and are likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

In value terms, paper bag imports soared to $X in 2021. The total import value increased at an average annual rate of +1.1% from 2012 to 2021; the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. As a result, imports attained the peak and are likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

Imports by Country

In 2021, Chile (X tons), distantly followed by Brazil (X tons), Uruguay (X tons), Argentina (X tons), Peru (X tons), Paraguay (X tons), Colombia (X tons) and Venezuela (X tons) represented the key importers of sacks and bags of paper, together creating 95% of total imports.

Chile was also the fastest-growing in terms of the sacks and bags of paper imports, with a CAGR of +15.1% from 2012 to 2021. At the same time, Argentina (+6.2%), Colombia (+6.0%), Paraguay (+5.7%), Uruguay (+3.0%) and Peru (+1.9%) displayed positive paces of growth. By contrast, Brazil (-6.6%) and Venezuela (-10.6%) illustrated a downward trend over the same period. While the share of Chile (+18 p.p.), Argentina (+4.3 p.p.), Paraguay (+2.7 p.p.), Colombia (+2.3 p.p.) and Uruguay (+1.8 p.p.) increased significantly in terms of the total imports from 2012-2021, the share of Venezuela (-11.2 p.p.) and Brazil (-14.2 p.p.) displayed negative dynamics. The shares of the other countries remained relatively stable throughout the analyzed period.

In value terms, Chile ($X), Brazil ($X) and Argentina ($X) appeared to be the countries with the highest levels of imports in 2021, together comprising 58% of total imports.

In terms of the main importing countries, Chile, with a CAGR of +11.0%, recorded the highest growth rate of 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 import price in MERCOSUR stood at $X per ton in 2021, rising by 7.3% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the import price, however, saw a relatively flat trend pattern. The level of import peaked at $X per ton in 2012; afterwards, it flattened through to 2021.

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