Southern Asia: Paper Bag Market 2025

Paper Bag Market Size in Southern Asia

The South Asian paper bag market rose notably to $X in 2021, growing by 6.5% against the previous year. In general, consumption, however, showed a relatively flat trend pattern. As a result, consumption reached the peak level of $X. From 2015 to 2021, the growth of the market failed to regain momentum.

Paper Bag Production in Southern Asia

In value terms, paper bag production expanded markedly to $X in 2021 estimated in export price. In general, production, however, recorded a slight slump. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2019 when the production volume increased by 15% against the previous year. The level of production peaked at $X in 2014; however, from 2015 to 2021, production remained at a lower figure.

Paper Bag Exports

Exports in Southern Asia

In 2021, overseas shipments of sacks and bags of paper increased by 41% to X tons, rising for the sixth year in a row after two years of decline. In general, exports continue to indicate strong growth. As a result, the exports reached the peak and are likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

In value terms, paper bag exports soared to $X in 2021. Over the period under review, exports continue to indicate resilient growth. As a result, the exports reached the peak and are likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

Exports by Country

In 2021, India (X tons) was the largest exporter of sacks and bags of paper, committing 85% of total exports. It was distantly followed by Sri Lanka (X tons), making up a 10% share of total exports. Pakistan (X tons) held a minor share of total exports.

India was also the fastest-growing in terms of the sacks and bags of paper exports, with a CAGR of +11.5% from 2012 to 2021. At the same time, Sri Lanka (+9.0%) and Pakistan (+4.9%) displayed positive paces of growth. From 2012 to 2021, the share of India increased by +4.9 percentage points.

In value terms, India ($X) remains the largest paper bag supplier in Southern Asia, comprising 82% of total exports. The second position in the ranking was taken by Sri Lanka ($X), with a 13% share of total exports.

From 2012 to 2021, the average annual growth rate of value in India totaled +12.6%. The remaining exporting countries recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: Sri Lanka (+9.1% per year) and Pakistan (+1.2% per year).

Export Prices by Country

In 2021, the export price in Southern Asia amounted to $X per ton, increasing by 9.5% against the previous year. Overall, the export price continues to indicate a relatively flat trend pattern. The level of export peaked at $X per ton in 2019; afterwards, it flattened through to 2021.

Average prices varied somewhat amongst the major exporting countries. In 2021, amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was Sri Lanka ($X per ton), while Pakistan ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by India (+1.0%), while the other leaders experienced mixed trends in the export price figures.

Paper Bag Imports

Imports in Southern Asia

After three years of decline, supplies from abroad of sacks and bags of paper increased by 28% to X tons in 2021. Total imports indicated moderate growth from 2012 to 2021: its volume increased at an average annual rate of +4.3% over the last nine years. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2021 figures, imports decreased by -24.6% against 2017 indices. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2014 when imports increased by 41%. The volume of import peaked at X tons in 2017; however, from 2018 to 2021, imports remained at a lower figure.

In value terms, paper bag imports skyrocketed to $X in 2021. Total imports indicated a resilient increase from 2012 to 2021: its value increased at an average annual rate of +7.2% over the last nine years. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Over the period under review, imports attained the maximum at $X in 2018; however, from 2019 to 2021, imports failed to regain momentum.

Imports by Country

India was the largest importing country with an import of about X tons, which recorded 49% of total imports. Pakistan (X tons) held a 15% share (based on physical terms) of total imports, which put it in second place, followed by Bangladesh (10%), Nepal (10%) and Sri Lanka (7.4%). Afghanistan (X tons) and Maldives (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 India stood at +7.5%. At the same time, Maldives (+8.2%), Nepal (+5.7%), Sri Lanka (+3.9%) and Bangladesh (+3.9%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, Maldives emerged as the fastest-growing importer imported in Southern Asia, with a CAGR of +8.2% from 2012-2021. By contrast, Pakistan (-1.7%) and Afghanistan (-3.6%) illustrated a downward trend over the same period. While the share of India (+12 p.p.) increased significantly in terms of the total imports from 2012-2021, the share of Afghanistan (-3.4 p.p.) and Pakistan (-10.5 p.p.) displayed negative dynamics. The shares of the other countries remained relatively stable throughout the analyzed period.

In value terms, India ($X) constitutes the largest market for imported sacks and bags of paper in Southern Asia, comprising 56% of total imports. The second position in the ranking was held by Bangladesh ($X), with a 12% share of total imports. It was followed by Pakistan, with a 9.1% share.

From 2012 to 2021, the average annual rate of growth in terms of value in India totaled +8.3%. The remaining importing countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: Bangladesh (+11.6% per year) and Pakistan (+1.6% per year).

Import Prices by Country

The import price in Southern Asia stood at $X per ton in 2021, remaining stable against the previous year. Over the last nine years, it increased at an average annual rate of +2.8%. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2018 an increase of 14%. The level of import peaked in 2021 and is expected to retain growth in the immediate term.

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

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Bangladesh (+7.4%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Platform

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