Plastic Bag Market

The global market for plastic sacks and bags is expected to see steady growth over the next eight years, with an anticipated increase in consumption volume and market value. Key findings from the article include insights on market performance, consumption patterns, production trends, and import/export dynamics in major countries. China, the United States, and Brazil are identified as key players in the market, with Vietnam showing the highest growth rates in terms of consumption per capita. The article also highlights the different types of plastic sacks and bags, such as polymers of ethylene and plastics, and their respective shares in global exports. Overall, the market is projected to continue expanding, driven by increasing demand and shifting consumption patterns.

Market Forecast

Driven by increasing demand for plastic sacks and bags worldwide, the market is expected to continue an upward consumption trend over the next eight-year period. Market performance is forecast to accelerate, expanding with an anticipated CAGR of +2.3% for the period from 2022 to 2030, which is projected to bring the market volume to 53M tons by the end of 2030.

In value terms, the market is forecast to increase with an anticipated CAGR of +4.1% for the period from 2022 to 2030, which is projected to bring the market value to $192.1B (in nominal prices) by the end of 2030.

Consumption

World Consumption of Plastic Sacks And Bags

In 2022, after four years of growth, there was decline in consumption of plastic sacks and bags, when its volume decreased by -1.3% to 44M tons. Overall, consumption, however, continues to indicate a relatively flat trend pattern. As a result, consumption attained the peak volume of 45M tons. From 2014 to 2022, the growth of the global consumption remained at a lower figure.

The global plastic bag market revenue dropped to $139.4B in 2022, reducing by -2.5% 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). Over the period under review, consumption, however, recorded a slight expansion. Global consumption peaked at $143.1B in 2021, and then shrank in the following year.

Consumption By Country

The country with the largest volume of plastic bag consumption was China (8.2M tons), accounting for 19% of total volume. Moreover, plastic bag consumption in China exceeded the figures recorded by the second-largest consumer, the United States (3.7M tons), twofold. The third position in this ranking was held by Brazil (1.8M tons), with a 4.1% share.

In China, plastic bag consumption remained relatively stable over the period from 2012-2022. In the other countries, the average annual rates were as follows: the United States (+3.9% per year) and Brazil (+2.2% per year).

In value terms, the largest plastic bag markets worldwide were China ($25.6B), the United States ($16.1B) and Russia ($4.1B), together accounting for 33% of the global market. Nigeria, Indonesia, India, Vietnam, Japan, Pakistan, Brazil and Bangladesh lagged somewhat behind, together accounting for a further 14%.

In terms of the main consuming countries, Vietnam, with a CAGR of +7.4%, saw the highest rates of growth with regard to market size over the period under review, while market for the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

The countries with the highest levels of plastic bag per capita consumption in 2022 were Vietnam (12 kg per person), the United States (11 kg per person) and Brazil (8.4 kg per person).

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of consumption, amongst the leading consuming countries, was attained by Vietnam (with a CAGR of +6.9%), while consumption for the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Production

World Production of Plastic Sacks And Bags

In 2022, production of plastic sacks and bags decreased by -2.2% to 44M tons for the first time since 2017, thus ending a four-year rising trend. In general, production, however, continues to indicate a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2013 with an increase of 11% against the previous year. As a result, production attained the peak volume of 46M tons. From 2014 to 2022, global production growth remained at a somewhat lower figure.

In value terms, plastic bag production fell modestly to $144.1B in 2022 estimated in export price. The total output value increased at an average annual rate of +1.2% over the period from 2012 to 2022; the trend pattern remained relatively stable, with only minor fluctuations being observed in certain years. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2018 when the production volume increased by 13%. Over the period under review, global production hit record highs at $168.8B in 2019; however, from 2020 to 2022, production stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Production By Country

The country with the largest volume of plastic bag production was China (9.8M tons), accounting for 22% of total volume. Moreover, plastic bag production in China exceeded the figures recorded by the second-largest producer, the United States (2.8M tons), threefold. The third position in this ranking was held by Brazil (1.8M tons), with a 4.1% share.

In China, plastic bag production remained relatively stable over the period from 2012-2022. In the other countries, the average annual rates were as follows: the United States (+2.7% per year) and Brazil (+2.2% per year).

Imports

World Imports of Plastic Sacks And Bags

In 2022, supplies from abroad of plastic sacks and bags increased by 2.5% to 6M tons, rising for the third year in a row after two years of decline. The total import volume increased at an average annual rate of +2.9% from 2012 to 2022; the trend pattern remained consistent, with somewhat noticeable fluctuations throughout the analyzed period. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2016 with an increase of 7.2%. Global imports peaked in 2022 and are likely to see steady growth in the immediate term.

In value terms, plastic bag imports expanded markedly to $19.9B in 2022. The total import value increased at an average annual rate of +3.5% from 2012 to 2022; 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 16% against the previous year. Global imports peaked in 2022 and are likely to continue growth in the near future.

Imports By Country

In 2022, the United States (1.1M tons), distantly followed by Japan (531K tons), Germany (446K tons), the UK (339K tons) and the Netherlands (325K tons) represented the main importers of plastic sacks and bags, together creating 46% of total imports. The following importers - France (250K tons), Australia (207K tons), Belgium (171K tons), Canada (166K tons), Mexico (150K tons) and Spain (110K tons) - together made up 18% of total imports.

The United States was also the fastest-growing in terms of the plastic sacks and bags imports, with a CAGR of +6.8% from 2012 to 2022. At the same time, Canada (+3.1%), Belgium (+3.0%), Germany (+2.8%), Australia (+2.7%), Spain (+1.8%), the Netherlands (+1.6%) and France (+1.4%) displayed positive paces of growth. The UK and Japan experienced a relatively flat trend pattern. By contrast, Mexico (-1.3%) illustrated a downward trend over the same period. From 2012 to 2022, the share of the United States increased by +5.9 percentage points. The shares of the other countries remained relatively stable throughout the analyzed period.

In value terms, the United States ($3.7B) constitutes the largest market for imported plastic sacks and bags worldwide, comprising 19% of global imports. The second position in the ranking was held by Japan ($1.3B), with a 6.8% share of global imports. It was followed by Germany, with a 6.5% share.

In the United States, plastic bag imports expanded at an average annual rate of +4.7% over the period from 2012-2022. The remaining importing countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: Japan (+0.2% per year) and Germany (+3.1% per year).

Imports By Type

In 2022, sacks and bags of polymers of ethylene (4.8M tons) was the major type of plastic sacks and bags, generating 79% of total imports. It was distantly followed by plastics (1.2M tons), comprising a 21% share of total imports.

Imports of sacks and bags of polymers of ethylene increased at an average annual rate of +2.9% from 2012 to 2022. At the same time, plastics (+3.0%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, plastics emerged as the fastest-growing type imported in the world, with a CAGR of +3.0% from 2012-2022. The shares of the largest types remained relatively stable throughout the analyzed period.

In value terms, sacks and bags of polymers of ethylene ($13.9B) constitutes the largest type of plastic sacks and bags imported worldwide, comprising 70% of global imports. The second position in the ranking was taken by plastics ($5.9B), with a 30% share of global imports.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual growth rate of the value of sacks and bags of polymers of ethylene imports stood at +3.5%.

Import Prices By Type

In 2022, the average plastic bag import price amounted to $3,311 per ton, with an increase of 4% against the previous year. In general, the import price showed a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2021 when the average import price increased by 9.1% against the previous year. Over the period under review, average import prices attained the peak figure in 2022 and is likely to continue growth in years to come.

Prices varied noticeably by the product type; the product with the highest price was plastics ($4,764 per ton), while the price for sacks and bags of polymers of ethylene amounted to $2,930 per ton.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by plastics; sacks and bags (including cones), for the conveyance or packing of goods, of plastics other than ethylene polymers (+0.7%).

Import Prices By Country

In 2022, the average plastic bag import price amounted to $3,311 per ton, growing by 4% against the previous year. Overall, the import price showed a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2021 when the average import price increased by 9.1%. Over the period under review, average import prices hit record highs in 2022 and is expected to retain growth in years to come.

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 Mexico ($5,221 per ton), while the Netherlands ($2,475 per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Mexico (+7.3%), while the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Exports

World Exports of Plastic Sacks And Bags

In 2022, overseas shipments of plastic sacks and bags decreased by -4.3% to 6M tons for the first time since 2019, thus ending a two-year rising trend. The total export volume increased at an average annual rate of +2.5% from 2012 to 2022; the trend pattern remained relatively stable, with somewhat noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2017 when exports increased by 18% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the global exports hit record highs at 6.3M tons in 2021, and then reduced slightly in the following year.

In value terms, plastic bag exports rose sharply to $22.1B in 2022. The total export value increased at an average annual rate of +4.4% from 2012 to 2022; the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded in certain years. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2021 with an increase of 17%. Over the period under review, the global exports hit record highs in 2022 and are likely to continue growth in the near future.

Exports By Country

China represented the main exporter of plastic sacks and bags in the world, with the volume of exports recording 1.6M tons, which was approx. 26% of total exports in 2022. Vietnam (492K tons) held the second position in the ranking, followed by Germany (322K tons), Thailand (311K tons) and India (299K tons). All these countries together held approx. 24% share of total exports. Malaysia (270K tons), Poland (248K tons), Turkey (227K tons), the United States (207K tons), Canada (194K tons), Italy (163K tons), the Netherlands (151K tons) and Indonesia (100K tons) followed a long way behind the leaders.

Exports from China increased at an average annual rate of +1.4% from 2012 to 2022. At the same time, Turkey (+10.6%), Vietnam (+9.9%), Poland (+8.1%), the Netherlands (+6.5%), India (+5.6%), Canada (+4.2%), Thailand (+2.0%), Germany (+1.6%) and Italy (+1.5%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, Turkey emerged as the fastest-growing exporter exported in the world, with a CAGR of +10.6% from 2012-2022. The United States and Indonesia experienced a relatively flat trend pattern. By contrast, Malaysia (-2.1%) illustrated a downward trend over the same period. From 2012 to 2022, the share of Vietnam, Turkey and Poland increased by +4.1, +2 and +1.7 percentage points, respectively. The shares of the other countries remained relatively stable throughout the analyzed period.

In value terms, China ($6.1B) remains the largest plastic bag supplier worldwide, comprising 27% of global exports. The second position in the ranking was held by Germany ($1.4B), with a 6.5% share of global exports. It was followed by the United States, with a 6.4% share.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual rate of growth in terms of value in China amounted to +6.2%. The remaining exporting countries recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: Germany (+1.6% per year) and the United States (+4.8% per year).

Exports By Type

In 2022, sacks and bags of polymers of ethylene (4.6M tons) was the main type of plastic sacks and bags, creating 77% of total exports. It was distantly followed by plastics (1.4M tons), committing a 23% share of total exports.

Exports of sacks and bags of polymers of ethylene increased at an average annual rate of +2.4% from 2012 to 2022. At the same time, plastics (+2.8%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, plastics emerged as the fastest-growing type exported in the world, with a CAGR of +2.8% from 2012-2022. The shares of the largest types remained relatively stable throughout the analyzed period.

In value terms, the largest types of exported plastic sacks and bags were sacks and bags of polymers of ethylene ($14.7B) and plastics ($7.4B).

In terms of the main exported products, plastics, with a CAGR of +5.2%, saw the highest rates of growth with regard to the value of exports, over the period under review.

Export Prices By Type

The average plastic bag export price stood at $3,684 per ton in 2022, surging by 11% against the previous year. Over the last decade, it increased at an average annual rate of +1.8%. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2014 an increase of 12%. 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 exported products. In 2022, the product with the highest price was plastics ($5,305 per ton), while the average price for exports of sacks and bags of polymers of ethylene totaled $3,191 per ton.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by plastics; sacks and bags (including cones), for the conveyance or packing of goods, of plastics other than ethylene polymers (+2.3%).

Export Prices By Country

In 2022, the average plastic bag export price amounted to $3,684 per ton, picking up by 11% against the previous year. Over the period from 2012 to 2022, it increased at an average annual rate of +1.8%. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2014 when the average export price increased by 12% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the average export prices reached the maximum in 2022 and is likely to see gradual growth in the immediate term.

Prices varied noticeably by country of origin: amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was the United States ($6,838 per ton), while Malaysia ($2,138 per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by China (+4.8%), while the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Market Intelligence Platform