United Kingdom: Packaging Materials Market 2025

Packaging Materials Market Size in the UK

In 2022, the UK packaging materials market increased by 23% to $X, rising for the second consecutive year after two years of decline. The market value increased at an average annual rate of +3.5% over the period from 2012 to 2022; the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded in certain years. As a result, consumption reached the peak level and is likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

Packaging Materials Production in the UK

In value terms, packaging materials production reduced modestly to $X in 2022 estimated in export price. In general, production saw a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2013 when the production volume increased by 23%. Over the period under review, production attained the peak level at $X in 2014; however, from 2015 to 2022, production stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Packaging Materials Exports

Exports from the UK

After two years of decline, shipments abroad of packaging materials increased by 13% to X tons in 2022. Over the period under review, exports, however, showed a relatively flat trend pattern. Over the period under review, the exports hit record highs at X tons in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2022, the exports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

In value terms, packaging materials exports rose significantly to $X in 2022. The total export value increased at an average annual rate of +1.1% from 2012 to 2022; the trend pattern remained relatively stable, with somewhat noticeable fluctuations being recorded in certain years. As a result, the exports reached the peak and are likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

Exports by Country

Ireland (X tons), the Netherlands (X tons) and Belgium (X tons) were the main destinations of packaging materials exports from the UK, together accounting for 56% of total exports. France, China, Turkey, Germany, Denmark, Sweden, Finland, Italy and Poland lagged somewhat behind, together accounting for a further 31%.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of shipments, amongst the main countries of destination, was attained by Denmark (with a CAGR of +22.9%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, Ireland ($X), the Netherlands ($X) and France ($X) constituted the largest markets for packaging materials exported from the UK worldwide, with a combined 51% share of total exports. Belgium, Turkey, Germany, China, Italy, Poland, Finland, Sweden and Denmark lagged somewhat behind, together accounting for a further 28%.

Turkey, with a CAGR of +16.4%, recorded 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

The average packaging materials export price stood at $X per ton in 2022, remaining stable against the previous year. Over the period from 2012 to 2022, it increased at an average annual rate of +1.1%. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2014 when the average export price increased by 24%. As a result, the export price reached the peak level of $X per ton. From 2015 to 2022, the average export prices failed to regain momentum.

There were significant differences in the average prices for the major export markets. In 2022, amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was Poland ($X per ton), while the average price for exports to Belgium ($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 (+9.6%), while the prices for the other major destinations experienced more modest paces of growth.

Packaging Materials Imports

Imports into the UK

In 2022, overseas purchases of packaging materials were finally on the rise to reach X tons for the first time since 2018, thus ending a three-year declining trend. The total import volume increased at an average annual rate of +1.7% from 2012 to 2022; the trend pattern remained relatively stable, with only minor fluctuations in certain years. As a result, imports attained the peak and are likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

In value terms, packaging materials imports surged to $X in 2022. The total import value increased at an average annual rate of +3.4% over the period from 2012 to 2022; the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded in certain years. As a result, imports attained the peak and are likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

Imports by Country

Germany (X tons), Sweden (X tons) and Finland (X tons) were the main suppliers of packaging materials imports to the UK, together accounting for 57% of total imports. The Netherlands, France, Poland, the United States, Belgium, Spain, Italy, Austria and Chile lagged somewhat behind, together comprising a further 33%.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of purchases, amongst the main suppliers, was attained by Belgium (with a CAGR of +18.1%), while imports for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, the largest packaging materials suppliers to the UK were Germany ($X), Sweden ($X) and Finland ($X), together accounting for 58% of total imports. The Netherlands, France, the United States, Italy, Spain, Poland, Austria, Belgium and Chile lagged somewhat behind, together comprising a further 31%.

Belgium, with a CAGR of +9.8%, 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, surging by 16% against the previous year. Over the last decade, it increased at an average annual rate of +1.7%. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2021 when the average import price increased by 18% against the previous year. The import price peaked in 2022 and is likely to see steady 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 Italy ($X per ton), while the price for Belgium ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by France (+3.5%), while the prices for the other major suppliers experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Platform

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) :