Pakistan: Container Market 2025

Container Market Size in Pakistan

The Pakistani container market contracted slightly to $X in 2022, reducing by -4.2% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the total consumption indicated a tangible expansion from 2012 to 2022: its value increased at an average annual rate of +3.0% 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 +3.7% against 2020 indices. Container consumption peaked at $X in 2019; however, from 2020 to 2022, consumption remained at a lower figure.

Container Production in Pakistan

In value terms, container production dropped modestly to $X in 2022 estimated in export price. Overall, the total production indicated a perceptible expansion from 2012 to 2022: its value increased at an average annual rate of +3.1% 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 +4.1% against 2020 indices. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2016 with an increase of 39%. Over the period under review, production attained the peak level at $X in 2017; however, from 2018 to 2022, production stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Container Exports

Exports from Pakistan

In 2022, overseas shipments of tanks, casks, drums, cans, boxes and similar containers increased by 23% to X units, rising for the sixth year in a row after two years of decline. In general, exports posted significant growth. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2017 with an increase of 155%. The exports peaked in 2022 and are expected to retain growth in the near future.

In value terms, container exports skyrocketed to $X in 2022. Overall, exports continue to indicate a significant increase. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2017 with an increase of 452% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the exports attained the maximum in 2022 and are expected to retain growth in years to come.

Exports by Country

Afghanistan (X units), Thailand (X units) and Japan (X units) were the main destinations of container exports from Pakistan, together comprising 72% of total exports. Indonesia, South Africa, the United States and the United Arab Emirates lagged somewhat behind, together comprising a further 23%.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of shipments, amongst the main countries of destination, was attained by Indonesia (with a CAGR of +208.9%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, Afghanistan ($X) remains the key foreign market for tanks, casks, drums, cans, boxes and similar containers exports from Pakistan, comprising 46% of total exports. The second position in the ranking was taken by Thailand ($X), with a 14% share of total exports. It was followed by Japan, with an 11% share.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual rate of growth in terms of value to Afghanistan totaled +50.8%. Exports to the other major destinations recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: Thailand (+129.1% per year) and Japan (+12.6% per year).

Export Prices by Country

In 2022, the average container export price amounted to $X per unit, increasing by 4.4% against the previous year. In general, the export price, however, recorded a pronounced contraction. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2017 when the average export price increased by 117% against the previous year. As a result, the export price attained the peak level of $X per unit. From 2018 to 2022, the average export prices remained at a somewhat lower figure.

Prices varied noticeably by country of destination: amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was the United States ($X per unit), while the average price for exports to Indonesia ($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 South Africa (+8.7%), while the prices for the other major destinations experienced more modest paces of growth.

Container Imports

Imports into Pakistan

Container imports into Pakistan fell to X units in 2022, waning by -8.9% compared with 2021. Overall, imports, however, recorded pronounced growth. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2021 with an increase of 149% against the previous year. Imports peaked at X units in 2017; however, from 2018 to 2022, imports failed to regain momentum.

In value terms, container imports surged to $X in 2022. Over the period under review, imports, however, recorded a remarkable increase. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2021 with an increase of 120%. Over the period under review, imports hit record highs at $X in 2017; however, from 2018 to 2022, imports remained at a lower figure.

Imports by Country

Japan (X units), China (X units) and the United Arab Emirates (X units) were the main suppliers of container imports to Pakistan, together accounting for 64% of total imports. Thailand, Indonesia and Turkey lagged somewhat behind, together accounting for a further 34%.

From 2012 to 2022, the biggest increases were recorded for Thailand (with a CAGR of +80.1%), while purchases for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, the largest container suppliers to Pakistan were Japan ($X), China ($X) and Thailand ($X), with a combined 72% share of total imports.

Among the main suppliers, Thailand, with a CAGR of +90.0%, saw 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

In 2022, the average container import price amounted to $X per unit, increasing by 29% against the previous year. Overall, import price indicated measured growth from 2012 to 2022: its price 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. As a result, import price reached the peak level and is likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

Prices varied noticeably by country of origin: amid the top importers, the country with the highest price was Japan ($X per unit), while the price for the United Arab Emirates ($X per unit) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Jordan (+10.4%), while the prices for the other major suppliers experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Platform

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