Paper Bag Market

The global paper bag market is projected to grow steadily in both volume and value terms from 2022 to 2030. Consumption, production, imports, and exports all show distinctive trends over the past decade, with fluctuations in growth rates. Leading countries in consumption, production, imports, and exports are identified, along with key price trends. The market is expected to see continued growth in the coming years.

Market Forecast

Driven by increasing demand for sacks and bags of paper worldwide, the market is expected to continue an upward consumption trend over the next eight-year period. Market performance is forecast to retain its current trend pattern, expanding with an anticipated CAGR of +2.7% for the period from 2022 to 2030, which is projected to bring the market volume to 344M tons by the end of 2030.

In value terms, the market is forecast to increase with an anticipated CAGR of +4.9% for the period from 2022 to 2030, which is projected to bring the market value to $1,048.1B (in nominal prices) by the end of 2030.

Consumption

World Consumption of Sacks And Bags Of Paper

In 2022, the amount of sacks and bags of paper consumed worldwide fell to 277M tons, which is down by -5% compared with the previous year's figure. The total consumption volume increased at an average annual rate of +2.8% from 2012 to 2022; however, the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Global consumption peaked at 292M tons in 2021, and then declined slightly in the following year.

The global paper bag market revenue contracted to $713B in 2022, which is down by -5.4% against the previous year. This figure reflects the total revenues of producers and importers (excluding logistics costs, retail marketing costs, and retailers' margins, which will be included in the final consumer price). The market value increased at an average annual rate of +3.4% over the period from 2012 to 2022; however, the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. As a result, consumption reached the peak level of $763.4B. From 2019 to 2022, the growth of the global market failed to regain momentum.

Consumption By Country

The countries with the highest volumes of consumption in 2022 were China (57M tons), the United States (43M tons) and Indonesia (9.6M tons), with a combined 39% share of global consumption.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of consumption, amongst the leading consuming countries, was attained by China (with a CAGR of +7.0%), while consumption for the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, China ($219.6B) led the market, alone. The second position in the ranking was held by the United States ($92.8B). It was followed by Turkey.

In China, the paper bag market expanded at an average annual rate of +7.5% over the period from 2012-2022. The remaining consuming countries recorded the following average annual rates of market growth: the United States (+2.0% per year) and Turkey (+7.8% per year).

The countries with the highest levels of paper bag per capita consumption in 2022 were the United States (127 kg per person), Italy (124 kg per person) and Spain (116 kg per person).

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of consumption, amongst the main consuming countries, was attained by Spain (with a CAGR of +6.7%), while consumption for the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Production

World Production of Sacks And Bags Of Paper

In 2022, global production of sacks and bags of paper reduced to 278M tons, dropping by -5.1% against the year before. The total output volume increased at an average annual rate of +2.8% over the period from 2012 to 2022; however, the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded in certain years. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2014 when the production volume increased by 9.8%. Global production peaked at 294M tons in 2021, and then contracted in the following year.

In value terms, paper bag production declined to $724.6B in 2022 estimated in export price. Over the period under review, the total production indicated a moderate increase from 2012 to 2022: its value increased at an average annual rate of +3.7% 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 +3.6% against 2020 indices. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2018 when the production volume increased by 33% against the previous year. As a result, production reached the peak level of $857.5B. From 2019 to 2022, global production growth remained at a somewhat lower figure.

Production By Country

The countries with the highest volumes of production in 2022 were China (58M tons), the United States (43M tons) and Indonesia (9.6M tons), with a combined 40% share of global production.

From 2012 to 2022, the biggest increases were recorded for China (with a CAGR of +6.9%), while production for the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Imports

World Imports of Sacks And Bags Of Paper

In 2022, approx. 13M tons of sacks and bags of paper were imported worldwide; growing by 4.5% compared with 2021. The total import volume increased at an average annual rate of +3.6% over the period from 2012 to 2022; however, the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2021 when imports increased by 8.1%. Global imports peaked in 2022 and are expected to retain growth in the near future.

In value terms, paper bag imports rose remarkably to $30.9B in 2022. The total import value increased at an average annual rate of +4.4% from 2012 to 2022; however, the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2021 with an increase of 19%. Global imports peaked in 2022 and are expected to retain growth in years to come.

Imports By Country

The countries with the highest levels of paper bag imports in 2022 were the Netherlands (1,591K tons), the United States (1,087K tons), France (981K tons), Germany (864K tons), Belgium (581K tons), Canada (521K tons), Mexico (433K tons), the UK (319K tons), Poland (294K tons), Switzerland (260K tons), Spain (255K tons) and the Czech Republic (231K tons), together reaching 59% of total import. Italy (225K tons) followed a long way behind the leaders.

From 2012 to 2022, the biggest increases were recorded for the Netherlands (with a CAGR of +9.7%), while purchases for the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, the largest paper bag importing markets worldwide were the United States ($3.5B), France ($2.5B) and Germany ($2B), with a combined 26% share of global imports. The Netherlands, the UK, Mexico, Canada, Belgium, Switzerland, Italy, Poland, Spain and the Czech Republic lagged somewhat behind, together accounting for a further 34%.

Italy, with a CAGR of +8.0%, recorded the highest growth rate of the value of imports, among the main importing countries over the period under review, while purchases for the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Import Prices By Country

In 2022, the average paper bag import price amounted to $2,444 per ton, rising by 5.5% against the previous year. Overall, the import price continues to indicate a relatively flat trend pattern. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2021 when the average import price increased by 10% against the previous year. Over the period under review, average import prices hit record highs in 2022 and is likely to see steady growth in the immediate term.

There were significant differences in the average prices amongst the major importing countries. In 2022, amid the top importers, the country with the highest price was the UK ($4,355 per ton), while the Netherlands ($1,156 per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Mexico (+5.5%), while the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Exports

World Exports of Sacks And Bags Of Paper

After ten years of growth, shipments abroad of sacks and bags of paper decreased by -0.2% to 14M tons in 2022. The total export volume increased at an average annual rate of +3.6% over the period from 2012 to 2022; however, the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded in certain years. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2021 when exports increased by 12%. As a result, the exports attained the peak of 14M tons, leveling off in the following year.

In value terms, paper bag exports expanded notably to $33.9B in 2022. In general, total exports indicated tangible growth from 2012 to 2022: its value increased at an average annual rate of +4.8% 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 +57.3% against 2016 indices. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2021 when exports increased by 21%. The global exports peaked in 2022 and are expected to retain growth in years to come.

Exports By Country

The biggest shipments were from Germany (1,643K tons), China (1,577K tons), the Netherlands (1,271K tons), the United States (1,008K tons), Poland (721K tons), Mexico (677K tons), Italy (670K tons), Belgium (473K tons), Spain (453K tons), Austria (419K tons), Turkey (407K tons) and Canada (359K tons), together resulting at 71% of total export. The Czech Republic (299K tons) took a minor share of total exports.

From 2012 to 2022, the biggest increases were recorded for Mexico (with a CAGR of +12.0%), while shipments for the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, China ($7.7B), Germany ($3.9B) and the United States ($2.4B) were the countries with the highest levels of exports in 2022, with a combined 41% share of global exports. Italy, Poland, the Netherlands, Canada, Belgium, Spain, Austria, Turkey, Mexico and the Czech Republic lagged somewhat behind, together accounting for a further 33%.

Turkey, with a CAGR of +11.0%, recorded the highest growth rate of the value of exports, among the main exporting countries over the period under review, while shipments for the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Export Prices By Country

In 2022, the average paper bag export price amounted to $2,475 per ton, growing by 7.1% against the previous year. Over the last decade, it increased at an average annual rate of +1.1%. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2021 when the average export price increased by 7.8% against the previous year. The global export price peaked in 2022 and is expected to retain growth in years to come.

There were significant differences in the average prices amongst the major exporting countries. In 2022, amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was China ($4,889 per ton), while Mexico ($1,036 per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by China (+4.7%), while the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Market Intelligence Platform