Ireland: Plastic Box Market Overview 2021

Plastic Box Market Size in Ireland

After three years of decline, the Irish plastic box market increased by X% to $X in 2020. Over the period under review, consumption recorded a relatively flat trend pattern. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2013 with an increase of X% year-to-year. As a result, consumption reached the peak level of $X. From 2014 to 2020, the growth of the market failed to regain the momentum.

Plastic Box Production in Ireland

In value terms, plastic box production amounted to $X in 2020 estimated in export prices. Over the period under review, the total production indicated prominent growth from 2007 to 2020: its value increased at an average annual rate of +X% over the last thirteen years. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2020 figures, production increased by +X% against 2015 indices. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2010 with an increase of X% against the previous year. Plastic box production peaked in 2020 and is expected to retain growth in the near future.

Plastic Box Exports

Exports from Ireland

Plastic box exports from Ireland reduced modestly to X tonnes in 2020, falling by -X% against 2019. In general, exports, however, recorded strong growth. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2017 when exports increased by X% y-o-y. Over the period under review, exports hit record highs at X tonnes in 2019, and then contracted in the following year.

In value terms, plastic box exports soared to $X in 2020. Overall, exports, however, saw a remarkable increase. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2008 when exports increased by X% against the previous year. Exports peaked in 2020 and are likely to see steady growth in the near future.

Exports by Country

The UK (X tonnes) was the main destination for plastic box exports from Ireland, accounting for a X% share of total exports. Moreover, plastic box exports to the UK exceeded the volume sent to the second major destination, the U.S. (X tonnes), more than tenfold. Sweden (X tonnes) ranked third in terms of total exports with a X% share.

From 2007 to 2020, the average annual growth rate of volume to the UK stood at +X%. Exports to the other major destinations recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: the U.S. (+X% per year) and Sweden (+X% per year).

In value terms, the UK ($X) remains the key foreign market for plastic box exports from Ireland, comprising X% of total exports. The second position in the ranking was occupied by the U.S. ($X), with a X% share of total exports. It was followed by the Netherlands, with a X% share.

From 2007 to 2020, the average annual rate of growth in terms of value to the UK totaled +X%. Exports to the other major destinations recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: the U.S. (+X% per year) and the Netherlands (+X% per year).

Export Prices by Country

The average plastic box export price stood at $X per tonne in 2020, surging by X% against the previous year. Overall, the export price, however, showed a perceptible downturn. The export price peaked at $X per tonne in 2007; however, from 2008 to 2020, export prices stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Prices varied noticeably by the country of destination; the country with the highest price was the U.S. ($X per tonne), while the average price for exports to the UK ($X per tonne) was amongst the lowest.

From 2007 to 2020, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was recorded for supplies to the U.S., while the prices for the other major destinations experienced a decline.

Plastic Box Imports

Imports into Ireland

In 2020, the amount of plastic boxes, cases, crates and similar packing articles imported into Ireland rose modestly to X tonnes, surging by X% on the previous year's figure. In general, imports, however, saw a perceptible downturn. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2013 when imports increased by X% year-to-year. Imports peaked at X tonnes in 2007; however, from 2008 to 2020, imports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

In value terms, plastic box imports shrank modestly to $X in 2020. Over the period under review, imports, however, saw a slight contraction. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2011 when imports increased by X% against the previous year. Over the period under review, imports reached the peak figure at $X in 2014; however, from 2015 to 2020, imports remained at a lower figure.

Imports by Country

In 2020, the UK (X tonnes) constituted the largest plastic box supplier to Ireland, accounting for a X% share of total imports. Moreover, plastic box imports from the UK exceeded the figures recorded by the second-largest supplier, Germany (X tonnes), sixfold. The third position in this ranking was occupied by Belgium (X tonnes), with a X% share.

From 2007 to 2020, the average annual rate of growth in terms of volume from the UK amounted to -X%. The remaining supplying countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: Germany (-X% per year) and Belgium (-X% per year).

In value terms, the UK ($X) constituted the largest supplier of plastic box to Ireland, comprising X% of total imports. The second position in the ranking was occupied by the U.S. ($X), with a X% share of total imports. It was followed by Germany, with a X% share.

From 2007 to 2020, the average annual growth rate of value from the UK totaled -X%. The remaining supplying countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: the U.S. (+X% per year) and Germany (-X% per year).

Import Prices by Country

The average plastic box import price stood at $X per tonne in 2020, with a decrease of -X% against the previous year. Over the period from 2007 to 2020, it increased at an average annual rate of +X%. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2010 when the average import price increased by X% year-to-year. The import price peaked at $X per tonne in 2019, and then reduced in the following year.

Prices varied noticeably by the country of origin; the country with the highest price was the U.S. ($X per tonne), while the price for Belgium ($X per tonne) was amongst the lowest.

From 2007 to 2020, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by the U.S., while the prices for the other major suppliers experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Platform

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) :

What are the largest markets for plastic boxes, cases, crates and similar packing articles in the world?

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The countries with the highest volumes of plastic box consumption in 2020 were China (4M tonnes), the U.S. (2.1M tonnes) and Japan (962K tonnes), together accounting for 38% of global consumption. These countries were followed by Indonesia, Nigeria, Germany, Turkey, India, Bangladesh, the Netherlands, Poland, Spain and the UK, which together accounted for a further 27%.

What are the largest producers of plastic boxes, cases, crates and similar packing articles in the world?

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The countries with the highest volumes of plastic box production in 2020 were China (4.3M tonnes), the U.S. (2.2M tonnes) and Japan (959K tonnes), together accounting for 40% of global production. These countries were followed by Indonesia, Germany, Nigeria, Turkey, India, Bangladesh, Spain, the Netherlands, Poland and Iran, which together accounted for a further 27%.

What are the leading suppliers of plastic boxes, cases, crates and similar packing articles to Ireland?

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In value terms, the UK ($38M) constituted the largest supplier of plastic box to Ireland, comprising 48% of total imports. The second position in the ranking was occupied by the U.S. ($8.2M), with a 10% share of total imports. It was followed by Germany, with a 8.8% share.

What are the leading importers of plastic boxes, cases, crates and similar packing articles from Ireland?

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In value terms, the UK ($32M) remains the key foreign market for plastic box exports from Ireland, comprising 63% of total exports. The second position in the ranking was occupied by the U.S. ($6.3M), with a 12% share of total exports. It was followed by the Netherlands, with a 4.2% share.

What is the average export price for plastic boxes, cases, crates and similar packing articles in Ireland?

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In 2020, the average plastic box export price amounted to $3,554 per tonne, picking up by 64% against the previous year.

What is the average import price for plastic boxes, cases, crates and similar packing articles in Ireland?

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In 2020, the average plastic box import price amounted to $3,675 per tonne, waning by -6.6% against the previous year.