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

Earlier Report Observations

Between 2018 and 2021, the Czech market for corrugated paperboard boxes was shaped by structural changes and a pandemic-driven shift in demand. In 2018, the state-owned company Jihočeské papírny Větřní was transformed into a joint-stock company specializing in corrugated board and packaging, reinforcing the domestic production base. The onset of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 triggered a strong increase in demand for corrugated board due to a boom in e-commerce, as consumers ordered more packaged goods online. This demand supported domestic production, though overall market volume saw a slight dip as exports grew. By 2021, market volume rebounded sharply to 656 thousand tons, sustained by ongoing e-commerce needs and a growing industry emphasis on recyclability and sustainable packaging materials.

From 2022 onward, the market entered a phase of contraction, primarily driven by new European regulations. The European Union's adoption of the Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR) in 2022 aimed to reduce packaging waste and promote reusable packaging, directly impacting Czech producers. These rules created pressure to innovate in packaging design for easier recycling and to minimize material use. Major players like THIMM expanded their production and innovation efforts in response. The continued implementation of these EU rules through 2025 required manufacturers to adapt their production and design processes to meet new targets for reusability and the reduction of empty space in transport packaging, leading to a steady decline in market volume.

Production corrugated or paperboard cartons, boxes and cases in Czechia

In value, 2018-2021, M $ US

After two years of decline, Czechia's production of cartons, boxes and cases of corrugated paper or paperboard has rebounded. In 2021, output reached 792.0 million US dollars, marking a significant year-over-year increase of 27.3%. Over the 2018-2021 period, production grew by 18.7%, with a compound annual growth rate of 5.9%. The lowest value was recorded in 2020 at 622.3 million US dollars, following the largest decline of 5.3% in 2019.

Annual dynamics of production in Czechia in value, 2018-2021, M $ US

In kind, 2018-2021, K t

Czechia's production volume of cartons, boxes and cases of corrugated paper or paperboard has increased for the second consecutive year. In 2021, production amounted to 668.8 thousand tonnes, up 14.1% compared to the previous year. Between 2018 and 2021, production rose by 17.6%, equivalent to an annualized growth rate of 5.6%. The lowest volume was recorded in 2019 at 560.3 thousand tonnes, which also saw the largest decline of 1.5%.

Annual dynamics of production in Czechia in kind, 2018-2021, K t

Exports corrugated or paperboard cartons, boxes and cases from Czechia

Exports in kind, K t

In 2021, Czechia's exports of cartons, boxes and cases of corrugated paper or paperboard totaled 123.4 thousand tonnes, showing a moderate decline of 8.0% from the previous year. Over the 2018-2021 period, exports decreased by 2.6%, with an annualized rate of -0.9%. The lowest export volume was recorded in 2019 at 118.2 thousand tonnes, while the highest was in 2020 at 134.1 thousand tonnes, which saw the largest increase of 13.5%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Czechia in kind, 2018-2021, K t

From 2018 to 2021, Germany, Slovakia, and Poland were the largest buyers of Czech cartons, boxes and cases of corrugated paper or paperboard in volume terms. Germany accounted for 39.1% of exports, Slovakia for 25.4%, and Poland for 10.9%. Together, these three countries represented 75.4% of total export volumes.

Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's exports from Czechia in kind, 2018-2021

Exports in value, M $ US

Czechia's export value of cartons, boxes and cases of corrugated paper or paperboard has increased for the second year in a row. In 2021, exports reached 186.9 million US dollars, reflecting a robust year-over-year gain of 12.7%. Over the 2018-2021 period, export value grew by 21%, with an annualized rate of 6.6%. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 149.1 million US dollars, which also experienced the largest decline of 3.5%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Czechia in value, 2018-2021, M $ US

Between 2018 and 2021, Germany, Slovakia, and Poland were the main buyers of Czech cartons, boxes and cases of corrugated paper or paperboard in value terms. Germany accounted for 32.6% of export value, Slovakia for 25.1%, and Poland for 9.5%. Collectively, these three markets comprised 67.1% of total export value.

Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's exports from Czechia in value, 2018-2021

Imports corrugated or paperboard cartons, boxes and cases to Czechia

Imports in kind, K t

Czechia's import volume of cartons, boxes and cases of corrugated paper or paperboard has declined for the third consecutive year. In 2021, imports amounted to 110.6 thousand tonnes, showing a slight decrease of 1.5% from the previous year. Over the 2018-2021 period, import volume fell by 20.1%, with an annualized decline rate of 7.2%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Czechia in kind, 2018-2021, K t

From 2018 to 2021, three key markets—Germany, Poland, and Austria—together accounted for 80.6% of Czechia's total import volume of cartons, boxes and cases of corrugated paper or paperboard.

Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's imports to Czechia in kind, 2018-2021

Imports in value, M $ US

After two years of decline, Czechia's import value of cartons, boxes and cases of corrugated paper or paperboard has increased. In 2021, imports totaled 192.9 million US dollars, representing a significant improvement of 25.5% compared to 2020. Over the 2018-2021 period, import value rose by 4.2%, with an annualized growth rate of 1.4%. The lowest value was recorded in 2020 at 153.7 million US dollars, which also saw the largest decline of 11.4%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Czechia in value, 2018-2021, M $ US

Between 2018 and 2021, Germany, Poland, and Austria were the main sources of imports in value terms for Czech cartons, boxes and cases of corrugated paper or paperboard. Germany accounted for 44.0% of import value, Poland for 22.1%, and Austria for 10.8%. Together, these three countries represented 76.9% of total import value.

Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's imports to Czechia in value, 2018-2021