Serbia: Packaging Materials Market 2025

Packaging Materials Market Size in Serbia

For the third consecutive year, the Serbian packaging materials market recorded growth in sales value, which increased by 32% to $X in 2022. The market value increased at an average annual rate of +3.8% from 2012 to 2022; the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. As a result, consumption reached the peak level and is likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

Packaging Materials Production in Serbia

In value terms, packaging materials production expanded modestly to $X in 2022 estimated in export price. In general, the total production indicated a buoyant expansion from 2012 to 2022: its value increased at an average annual rate of +7.9% over the last decade. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2022 figures, production decreased by -3.4% against 2020 indices. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2013 when the production volume increased by 61% against the previous year. Over the period under review, production attained the peak level at $X in 2020; however, from 2021 to 2022, production remained at a lower figure.

Packaging Materials Exports

Exports from Serbia

In 2022, shipments abroad of packaging materials was finally on the rise to reach X tons for the first time since 2019, thus ending a two-year declining trend. In general, total exports indicated a buoyant increase from 2012 to 2022: its volume increased at an average annual rate of +8.9% over the last decade. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2013 with an increase of 19%. The exports peaked in 2022 and are likely to see gradual growth in years to come.

In value terms, packaging materials exports surged to $X in 2022. Over the period under review, total exports indicated a strong expansion from 2012 to 2022: its value increased at an average annual rate of +9.2% over the last decade. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2022 figures, exports increased by +42.6% against 2020 indices. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2014 with an increase of 32% against the previous year. The exports peaked in 2022 and are expected to retain growth in the near future.

Exports by Country

Turkey (X tons), Greece (X tons) and Poland (X tons) were the main destinations of packaging materials exports from Serbia, with a combined 27% share of total exports. Hungary, Italy, Romania, the Czech Republic, Bulgaria, Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Austria, North Macedonia and Slovenia lagged somewhat behind, together accounting for a further 49%.

From 2012 to 2022, the biggest increases were recorded for Italy (with a CAGR of +27.6%), while shipments for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, Poland ($X), Turkey ($X) and Italy ($X) were the largest markets for packaging materials exported from Serbia worldwide, together accounting for 24% of total exports.

Italy, with a CAGR of +32.3%, saw the highest growth rate of the value of exports, among 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

In 2022, the average packaging materials export price amounted to $X per ton, surging by 5.4% against the previous year. Overall, the export price saw a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2021 when the average export price increased by 22% against the previous year. The export price peaked at $X per ton in 2014; however, from 2015 to 2022, the export prices remained at a lower figure.

Prices varied noticeably by country of destination: amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was Italy ($X per ton), while the average price for exports to Bulgaria ($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 Poland (+7.2%), while the prices for the other major destinations experienced more modest paces of growth.

Packaging Materials Imports

Imports into Serbia

For the seventh consecutive year, Serbia recorded growth in overseas purchases of packaging materials, which increased by 1.8% to X tons in 2022. Overall, total imports indicated a strong increase from 2012 to 2022: its volume increased at an average annual rate of +5.3% over the last decade. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2022 figures, imports increased by +74.4% against 2015 indices. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2014 when imports increased by 20%. Over the period under review, imports attained the maximum in 2022 and are expected to retain growth in the near future.

In value terms, packaging materials imports surged to $X in 2022. Over the period under review, total imports indicated buoyant growth from 2012 to 2022: its value increased at an average annual rate of +5.9% over the last decade. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2022 figures, imports increased by +58.9% against 2020 indices. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2021 when imports increased by 34% against the previous year. Over the period under review, imports reached the maximum in 2022 and are expected to retain growth in the near future.

Imports by Country

Sweden (X tons), Croatia (X tons) and Finland (X tons) were the main suppliers of packaging materials imports to Serbia, together comprising 44% of total imports. Austria, Russia, Germany, Hungary, Bosnia and Herzegovina, the Czech Republic, Italy, Bulgaria, Slovenia and Poland lagged somewhat behind, together accounting for a further 52%.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of purchases, amongst the main suppliers, was attained by Germany (with a CAGR of +16.7%), while imports for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, Sweden ($X), Finland ($X) and Croatia ($X) appeared to be the largest packaging materials suppliers to Serbia, together comprising 38% of total imports. Austria, Germany, Russia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, the Czech Republic, Hungary, Italy, Poland, Bulgaria and Slovenia lagged somewhat behind, together accounting for a further 56%.

Russia, with a CAGR of +20.0%, saw the highest rates of growth with regard to the value of imports, among the main suppliers 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 packaging materials import price amounted to $X per ton, with an increase of 16% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the import price recorded a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2021 an increase of 17%. Over the period under review, average import prices attained the peak figure in 2022 and is likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

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 Poland ($X per ton), while the price for Croatia ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Bulgaria (+5.9%), while the prices for the other major suppliers experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Platform