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

Earlier Report Observations

The market for corrugated paperboard cartons and boxes in Ireland experienced a sharp contraction in 2019, with total market size falling to $225.7 million from $453.3 million the previous year. It then stabilized around $218.5 million in 2020 before recovering to $239.0 million in 2021.

From 2022, regulatory shifts began shaping the market. Amendments to the EU Packaging Regulations and the national Circular Economy Act introduced stricter Extended Producer Responsibility rules, requiring major producers to join compliance schemes. This regulatory push, alongside growing e-commerce demand and consumer preference for sustainable packaging, supported market growth to $258.9 million in 2022. Although global headwinds contributed to a slight dip to $245.6 million in 2023, the market rebounded strongly to $301.5 million in 2024. Key developments included Ireland's 10-year licensing of the Repak EPR scheme, providing regulatory certainty, and significant capacity investments by industry leaders such as Smurfit Kappa.

Production corrugated or paperboard cartons, boxes and cases in Ireland

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

The market exhibited significant volatility during this period. Import levels fluctuated substantially, with a 2.9-fold difference between the peak in 2018 and the trough in 2020. In 2020, the output of cartons, boxes, and cases made from corrugated paper or paperboard in Ireland was valued at 134.3 million US dollars, marking a gradual decline of 3.4% compared to the previous year. The highest value was recorded in 2018 at 383.1 million US dollars. The largest decline occurred in 2019, dropping by 63.7%, while the largest increase was seen in 2018, rising by 112.4%.

Annual dynamics of production in Ireland in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

In 2020, Ireland produced 73.5 thousand tonnes of cartons, boxes, and cases made from corrugated paper or paperboard, representing an 8.7% decrease from 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, production fell by 43.9%, which translates to an annualized decline of 17.5%. The most significant drop was recorded in 2018, with a 42.9% reduction, while the largest increase occurred in 2019, rising by 7.6%.

Annual dynamics of production in Ireland in kind, 2017-2020, K t

Exports corrugated or paperboard cartons, boxes and cases from Ireland

Exports in kind, t

In 2020, Ireland's cross-border shipments of cartons, boxes, and cases made from corrugated paper or paperboard totaled 19 187 tonnes, showing a 24.8% increase compared to the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, exports decreased by 4.8%, equivalent to an annualized decline of 1.6%. The lowest volume was recorded in 2019 at 15 370 tonnes, while the peak was in 2018 at 27 542 tonnes. The largest decline occurred in 2019, falling by 44.2%, and the largest increase was in 2018, rising by 36.6%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the United Kingdom served as the primary destination for Ireland's exports of cartons, boxes, and cases made from corrugated paper or paperboard, consistently accounting for 94.1% of total exports in volume terms.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

In 2020, the value of exported cartons, boxes, and cases made from corrugated paper or paperboard from Ireland reached 36.4 million US dollars, indicating a substantial year-on-year increase of 18.2%. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, exports grew by 24.3%, with a compound annual growth rate of 7.5%. The highest value was recorded in 2018 at 36.9 million US dollars. The largest decline occurred in 2019, dropping by 16.5%, while the largest increase was in 2018, rising by 25.9%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, the export structure in value terms was dominated by the United Kingdom, which absorbed 81.9% of total flows, alongside numerous smaller trading partners.

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

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

Imports corrugated or paperboard cartons, boxes and cases to Ireland

Imports in kind, t

Ireland's imports of cartons, boxes, and cases made from corrugated paper or paperboard increased for the second consecutive year. In 2020, imports amounted to 98 922 tonnes, reflecting a measured rise of 9.4% from the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, imports grew by 68.8%, with a compound annual growth rate of 19.1%. The lowest volume was recorded in 2018 at 58 455 tonnes. The largest decline occurred in 2018, with a slight drop of 0.2%, while the largest increase was in 2019, surging by 54.7%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the United Kingdom remained the leading supplier of cartons, boxes, and cases made from corrugated paper or paperboard to Ireland, accounting for 70.4% of total imports in volume terms, with the remainder distributed among many other countries.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

Ireland's imports of cartons, boxes, and cases made from corrugated paper or paperboard increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, imports reached 120.6 million US dollars, reflecting a modest rise of 2.7% compared to the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, imports grew by 18%, equivalent to an annualized increase of 5.7%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, the United Kingdom (60.9% of imports in value terms), Turkey (10.9%), and Egypt (4.7%) emerged as the main sources for imports in value terms, collectively representing 76.4% of total flows.

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

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