U.S.: Plastic Bag Market Overview 2021

Plastic Bag Market Size in the U.S.

After five years of growth, the U.S. plastic bag market decreased by -X% to $X in 2019. The market value increased at an average annual rate of +X% over the period from 2007 to 2019; the trend pattern remained relatively stable, with only minor fluctuations being observed throughout the analyzed period. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2017 with an increase of X% against the previous year. Plastic bag consumption peaked at $X in 2018, and then dropped slightly in the following year.

Plastic Bag Production in the U.S.

In value terms, plastic bag production dropped slightly to $X in 2019. In general, production saw a relatively flat trend pattern. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2016 with an increase of X% year-to-year. Plastic bag production peaked at $X in 2018, and then contracted slightly in the following year.

Plastic Bag Exports

Exports from the U.S.

In 2019, plastic bag exports from the U.S. fell to X tonnes, waning by -X% compared with the year before. Over the period under review, exports showed a slight slump. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2018 when exports increased by X% year-to-year. Over the period under review, exports attained the peak figure at X tonnes in 2008; however, from 2009 to 2019, exports remained at a lower figure.

In value terms, plastic bag exports fell modestly to $X in 2019. The total export value increased at an average annual rate of +X% over the period from 2007 to 2019; however, the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2008 when exports increased by X% year-to-year. Exports peaked at $X in 2018, and then contracted slightly in the following year.

Exports by Country

Canada (X tonnes), Mexico (X tonnes) and the Dominican Republic (X tonnes) were the main destinations of plastic bag exports from the U.S., with a combined X% share of total exports.

From 2007 to 2019, the most notable rate of growth in terms of shipments, amongst the main countries of destination, was attained by the Dominican Republic, while exports for the other leaders experienced mixed trend patterns.

In value terms, Mexico ($X), Canada ($X) and the Dominican Republic ($X) were the largest markets for plastic bag exported from the U.S. worldwide, together accounting for X% of total exports.

In terms of the main countries of destination, the Dominican Republic saw the highest growth rate of the value of exports, over the period under review, while shipments for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Export Prices by Country

In 2019, the average plastic bag export price amounted to $X per tonne, surging by X% against the previous year. Overall, export price indicated notable growth from 2007 to 2019: its price increased at an average annual rate of +X% over the last twelve years. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2019 figures, plastic bag export price decreased by -X% against 2017 indices. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2017 an increase of X% y-o-y. As a result, export price reached the peak level of $X per tonne. From 2018 to 2019, the growth in terms of the average export prices failed to regain the momentum.

Average prices varied somewhat for the major external markets. In 2019, the highest prices were recorded for prices to the Dominican Republic ($X per tonne) and Japan ($X per tonne), while the average price for exports to Canada ($X per tonne) and Mexico ($X per tonne) were amongst the lowest.

From 2007 to 2019, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was recorded for supplies to Mexico, while the prices for the other major destinations experienced more modest paces of growth.

Plastic Bag Imports

Imports into the U.S.

In 2019, supplies from abroad of plastic sacks and bags decreased by -X% to X tonnes, falling for the second year in a row after four years of growth. Over the period under review, imports, however, saw a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2016 when imports increased by X% y-o-y. Imports peaked at X tonnes in 2017; however, from 2018 to 2019, imports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

In value terms, plastic bag imports dropped to $X in 2019. In general, total imports indicated a pronounced increase from 2007 to 2019: its value increased at an average annual rate of +X% over the last twelve-year period. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2019 figures, imports increased by +X% against 2009 indices. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2017 with an increase of X% year-to-year. Over the period under review, imports attained the peak figure at $X in 2018, and then contracted in the following year.

Imports by Country

China (X tonnes), Canada (X tonnes) and Malaysia (X tonnes) were the main suppliers of plastic bag imports to the U.S., with a combined X% share of total imports. These countries were followed by Thailand, India, Mexico and Taiwan (Chinese), which together accounted for a further X 2007 to 2019, the most notable rate of growth in terms of purchases, amongst the main suppliers, was attained by India, while imports for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, China ($X), Canada ($X) and Mexico ($X) appeared to be the largest plastic bag suppliers to the U.S., together accounting for X% of total imports. Thailand, India, Malaysia and Taiwan (Chinese) lagged somewhat behind, together comprising a further X the main suppliers, India recorded the highest growth rate of the value of imports, over the period under review, while purchases for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Import Prices by Country

The average plastic bag import price stood at $X per tonne in 2019, with a decrease of -X% against the previous year. Over the last twelve-year period, it increased at an average annual rate of +X%. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2008 when the average import price increased by X% against the previous year. Over the period under review, average import prices attained the peak figure at $X per tonne in 2018, and then shrank in the following year.

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

From 2007 to 2019, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by China, while the prices for the other major suppliers experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox AI Platform

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) :

What are the largest markets for plastic sacks and bags in the world?

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The countries with the highest volumes of plastic bag consumption in 2019 were China (5.9M tonnes), the U.S. (3.1M tonnes) and Japan (1.3M tonnes), with a combined 30% share of global consumption. India, Pakistan, Russia, Indonesia, Nigeria, Bangladesh, Ethiopia, the UK, France and Turkey lagged somewhat behind, together comprising a further 25%.

What are the largest producers of plastic sacks and bags in the world?

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China (7.4M tonnes) constituted the country with the largest volume of plastic bag production, comprising approx. 21% of total volume. Moreover, plastic bag production in China exceeded the figures recorded by the second-largest producer, the U.S. (2.3M tonnes), threefold. The third position in this ranking was occupied by India (1.4M tonnes), with a 4% share.

What are the leading suppliers of plastic sacks and bags to the U.S.?

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In value terms, the largest plastic bag suppliers to the U.S. were China ($926M), Canada ($561M) and Mexico ($271M), together accounting for 59% of total imports. Thailand, India, Malaysia and Taiwan (Chinese) lagged somewhat behind, together comprising a further 20%.

What are the leading importers of plastic sacks and bags from the U.S.?

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In value terms, the largest markets for plastic bag exported from the U.S. were Mexico ($365M), Canada ($343M) and the Dominican Republic ($32M), together accounting for 69% of total exports.

What is the average export price for plastic sacks and bags in the U.S.?

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In 2019, the average plastic bag export price amounted to $6,091 per tonne, picking up by 7.3% against the previous year.

What is the average import price for plastic sacks and bags in the U.S.?

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The average plastic bag import price stood at $3,197 per tonne in 2019, falling by -4.7% against the previous year.