Cartons, boxes and cases of corrugated paper or paperboard market in Albania

Earlier Report Observations

Between 2018 and 2021, imports of corrugated paperboard boxes into Albania fluctuated between 8 000 t and 10 000 t annually. During this period, established local manufacturers Eurokartoni and Edipack maintained significant production capacity, focusing on quality and the use of recycled materials. The COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 boosted demand for sustainable packaging, supporting the market position of ecological innovators like Eko-Leter with its fully decomposable paper bags.

A notable shift occurred in 2022 when domestic production surged to 43 095 t while imports collapsed to just 1 t, leading to a market volume of 43 096 t. This coincided with the enforcement of GS1 Albania's barcode printing standards for carton packaging, which regulated labeling and likely affected market access for non-compliant products. Major producers Eurokartoni and Edipack continued their operations, emphasizing environmental recycling.

In 2023 and 2024, the market structure changed significantly. Domestic production fell to approximately 11 000 t per year, while imports rose sharply to over 11 000 t in 2023 and further to 13 211 t in 2024. Consequently, the physical market volume decreased to around 22 000 t, but its value grew to nearly $40 million, indicating a shift toward higher-value imported products. The earlier trend toward ecological packaging persisted.

Production corrugated or paperboard cartons, boxes and cases in Albania

According to Faostat, there is no production of corrugated or paperboard cartons, boxes and cases in Albania.

Exports corrugated or paperboard cartons, boxes and cases from Albania

Exports in kind, t

Albania's exports of cartons, boxes and cases made from corrugated paper or paperboard have grown for the third consecutive year. In 2020, exports reached 535 tonnes, marking a significant 54.0% increase compared to 2019. Looking at the broader period from 2017 to 2020, exports surged by 383.5%, which translates to an average annual growth rate of 69.1%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Albania in kind, 2017-2020, t

From 2017 to 2020, Albania's exports in this category were heavily concentrated on just two markets: Italy and Serbia. Together, these two countries accounted for 99.8% of all export volumes during this period.

Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's exports from Albania in kind, 2017-2020

Exports in value, K $ US

The value of Albania's exports in this sector showed irregular fluctuations, pointing to a volatile market environment. The lowest point was recorded in 2018 at 81 thousand US dollars, while exports peaked in 2020 at 474 thousand US dollars—a 5.9-fold difference between these two years. In 2020, export value jumped by 65.3% year-over-year. The largest decline occurred in 2018 with a drop of 0.9%, whereas the most substantial increase was in 2019, soaring by 254.4%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Albania in value, 2017-2020, K $ US

Between 2017 and 2020, Italy and Serbia continued to dominate as the primary buyers of Albania's cartons, boxes and cases in value terms, together representing 98.6% of total export earnings. The remaining share was distributed among various other countries, though in much smaller proportions.

Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's exports from Albania in value, 2017-2020

Imports corrugated or paperboard cartons, boxes and cases to Albania

Imports in kind, t

After two years of growth, Albania's imports of cartons, boxes and cases made from corrugated paper or paperboard declined in 2020. The country imported approximately 9 648 tonnes that year, reflecting a modest decrease of 6.4% compared to 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, imports overall increased by 35.6%, averaging an annual growth rate of 10.7%. The highest import volume was recorded in 2019 at 10 308 tonnes, which also saw the largest annual increase of 28.0%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Albania in kind, 2017-2020, t

From 2017 to 2020, Albania's imports in this category were primarily sourced from three key countries: Italy (39.7% of import volumes), Greece (28.0%), and North Macedonia (19.2%). Combined, these three suppliers accounted for 87.0% of total import flows.

Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's imports to Albania in kind, 2017-2020

Imports in value, K $ US

Following two years of expansion, the value of Albania's imports of cartons, boxes and cases made from corrugated paper or paperboard fell in 2020. Imports that year totaled 12 345 thousand US dollars, showing a moderate decline of 5.7% compared to 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, import value grew by 30.2%, with an average annual rate of 9.2%. The peak was in 2019 at 13 685 thousand US dollars, while the largest annual increase occurred in 2018, rising by 18.7%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Albania in value, 2017-2020, K $ US

During the 2017–2020 period, Italy (48.6% of import value), Greece (23.5%), and North Macedonia (14.3%) led as the main suppliers of cartons, boxes and cases to Albania in monetary terms. Together, these three countries made up 86.4% of Albania's total import spending in this sector.

Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's imports to Albania in value, 2017-2020