Sri Lanka: Paper Bag Market 2025

Paper Bag Market Size in Sri Lanka

In 2021, after four years of growth, there was decline in the Sri Lankan paper bag market, when its value decreased by -0.7% to $X. The market value increased at an average annual rate of +3.0% over the period from 2012 to 2021; however, the trend pattern remained consistent, with only minor fluctuations in certain years. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2020 with an increase of 8.6%. As a result, consumption reached the peak level of $X, leveling off in the following year.

Paper Bag Production in Sri Lanka

In value terms, paper bag production declined modestly to $X in 2021 estimated in export price. The total output value increased at an average annual rate of +3.2% over the period from 2012 to 2021; however, the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded in certain years. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2013 with an increase of 3.9% against the previous year. Over the period under review, production reached the maximum level at $X in 2020, and then contracted slightly in the following year.

Paper Bag Exports

Exports from Sri Lanka

Paper bag exports from Sri Lanka totaled X tons in 2021, almost unchanged from 2020. Over the period under review, exports saw a remarkable increase. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2016 with an increase of 54%. Over the period under review, the exports hit record highs at X tons in 2017; however, from 2018 to 2021, the exports remained at a lower figure.

In value terms, paper bag exports soared to $X in 2021. In general, total exports indicated a resilient expansion from 2012 to 2021: its value increased at an average annual rate of +9.1% over the last nine-year period. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2016 when exports increased by 39%. The exports peaked in 2021 and are likely to see steady growth in the immediate term.

Exports by Country

India (X tons), Kenya (X tons) and Bangladesh (X tons) were the main destinations of paper bag exports from Sri Lanka, with a combined 62% share of total exports. Ethiopia, Indonesia, Maldives, the UK, Tanzania, Argentina, Myanmar and the United Arab Emirates lagged somewhat behind, together comprising a further 25%.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of shipments, amongst the main countries of destination, was attained by Ethiopia (with a CAGR of +260.0%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, India ($X), Kenya ($X) and Bangladesh ($X) were the largest markets for paper bag exported from Sri Lanka worldwide, together accounting for 64% of total exports. Indonesia, Ethiopia, Maldives, the UK, Argentina, Tanzania, Myanmar and the United Arab Emirates lagged somewhat behind, together accounting for a further 20%.

Ethiopia, with a CAGR of +187.1%, recorded the highest rates of growth with regard to the value of exports, in terms of 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

The average paper bag export price stood at $X per ton in 2021, with an increase of 33% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the export price recorded a relatively flat trend pattern. As a result, the export price attained the peak level and is likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

There were significant differences in the average prices for the major overseas markets. In 2021, amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was Bangladesh ($X per ton), while the average price for exports to Myanmar ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was recorded for supplies to Indonesia (+5.1%), while the prices for the other major destinations experienced more modest paces of growth.

Paper Bag Imports

Imports into Sri Lanka

Paper bag imports into Sri Lanka surged to X tons in 2021, with an increase of 16% compared with 2020 figures. In general, total imports indicated a pronounced increase from 2012 to 2021: its volume increased at an average annual rate of +3.9% over the last nine years. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2014 with an increase of 39% against the previous year. Over the period under review, imports hit record highs at X tons in 2017; however, from 2018 to 2021, imports remained at a lower figure.

In value terms, paper bag imports surged to $X in 2021. Over the period under review, total imports indicated a prominent expansion from 2012 to 2021: its value increased at an average annual rate of +5.9% over the last nine years. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2014 when imports increased by 43% against the previous year. Over the period under review, imports hit record highs at $X in 2017; however, from 2018 to 2021, imports failed to regain momentum.

Imports by Country

In 2021, China (X tons) constituted the largest paper bag supplier to Sri Lanka, accounting for a 40% share of total imports. Moreover, paper bag imports from China exceeded the figures recorded by the second-largest supplier, India (X tons), threefold. The third position in this ranking was held by the Philippines (X tons), with an 11% share.

From 2012 to 2021, the average annual rate of growth in terms of volume from China amounted to +12.2%. The remaining supplying countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: India (+4.1% per year) and the Philippines (-10.7% per year).

In value terms, the largest paper bag suppliers to Sri Lanka were China ($X), Hong Kong SAR ($X) and India ($X), with a combined 62% share of total imports. These countries were followed by Germany, Thailand, Oman, the Philippines, Belgium, the United States and the United Arab Emirates, which together accounted for a further 28%.

Germany, with a CAGR of +40.7%, recorded 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 2021, the average paper bag import price amounted to $X per ton, growing by 12% against the previous year. Over the period from 2012 to 2021, it increased at an average annual rate of +1.9%. As a result, import price reached the peak level and is likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

There were significant differences in the average prices amongst the major supplying countries. In 2021, amid the top importers, the country with the highest price was Hong Kong SAR ($X per ton), while the price for the Philippines ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Germany (+6.1%), while the prices for the other major suppliers experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Platform

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) :