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

Earlier Report Observations

The Latvian market for corrugated paperboard cartons expanded rapidly in volume during 2020, surpassing 21 800 tonnes, as the COVID-19 pandemic altered packaging demand and accelerated the entry of new market players. Manufacturers simultaneously began shifting toward sustainable practices and eco-friendly solutions in response to consumer preferences, supported by adjustments to the natural resources tax that incentivized the use of paper and cardboard composites.

After the peak, market volume moderated but its value jumped to 55 million USD in 2022, driven by rising costs after EU and national bans on importing wood products from Russia and Belarus constrained raw material availability. Stricter EU labeling and recyclability criteria, along with the ongoing rollout of a deposit system for packaging management, further increased compliance demands and encouraged a focus on packaging made from 70–100% recycled materials.

Competition remained high throughout the period, with around 20 producers active in carton manufacturing and new companies entering the market. Investments in modern automated cutting and gluing equipment improved production quality and efficiency. By 2024, market volume stabilized near 14 000 tonnes, while value recovered to 46 million USD after a contraction in 2023.

Production corrugated or paperboard cartons, boxes and cases in Latvia

In value, 2018-2021, K $ US

In 2020, Latvia's production of cartons, boxes, and cases made from corrugated paper or paperboard reached a value of 41 355 thousand US dollars, marking a 17.0% increase compared to the previous year. However, looking at the broader period from 2018 to 2020, overall production declined by 6.8%, which translates to an average annual decrease of 2.3%. The lowest production value was recorded in 2019 at 35 333 thousand US dollars, with that year also seeing the largest decline of 20.4%.

Annual dynamics of production in Latvia in value, 2018-2021, K $ US

In kind, 2018-2021, t

In 2020, Latvia produced 33 314 tonnes of cartons, boxes, and cases from corrugated paper or paperboard, representing an 8.6% increase from 2019. Over the three-year span from 2018 to 2020, production grew by 4.5%, with a compound annual growth rate of 1.5%. The lowest output was in 2019 at 30 671 tonnes, which also experienced the largest decline of 3.8% during this period.

Annual dynamics of production in Latvia in kind, 2018-2021, t

Exports corrugated or paperboard cartons, boxes and cases from Latvia

Exports in kind, t

Following a two-year decline, Latvia's exports of cartons, boxes, and cases made from corrugated paper or paperboard rebounded in 2021, reaching 29 557 tonnes. This reflects a significant 27.5% improvement compared to the previous year. Despite this recent uptick, exports over the full period from 2018 to 2021 decreased by 3.9%, with a compound annual growth rate of -1.3%. The lowest export volume was recorded in 2020 at 23 175 tonnes, which saw the largest decline of 15.3%.

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

From 2018 to 2021, Lithuania, Estonia, and Poland were the key destinations for Latvia's exports of cartons, boxes, and cases made from corrugated paper or paperboard in volume terms. Lithuania accounted for 47.1% of exports, Estonia for 29.1%, and Poland for 10.1%. Together, these three countries represented 86.3% of total export flows.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

Latvia's exports of cartons, boxes, and cases made from corrugated paper or paperboard grew for the second consecutive year in 2021, reaching a value of 26 826 thousand US dollars. This indicates a sharp increase of 30.1% compared to 2020. Over the period from 2018 to 2021, exports rose by 10.1%, equating to an annualized growth rate of 3.3%. The lowest export value was in 2019 at 19 504 thousand US dollars, which also experienced the largest decline of 19.9%.

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

Between 2018 and 2021, Lithuania and Estonia dominated Latvia's export markets in value terms for cartons, boxes, and cases made from corrugated paper or paperboard. Together, they accounted for 87.2% of total export flows, with other countries making up the remaining share.

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

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

Imports corrugated or paperboard cartons, boxes and cases to Latvia

Imports in kind, t

Latvia's imports of cartons, boxes, and cases made from corrugated paper or paperboard increased for the third consecutive year in 2021, totaling 16 725 tonnes. This represents a sharp rise of 42.6% compared to 2020. Over the four-year period from 2018 to 2021, imports surged by 70.7%, with a compound annual growth rate of 19.5%.

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

From 2018 to 2021, the largest suppliers of cartons, boxes, and cases made from corrugated paper or paperboard to Latvia in volume terms were Lithuania, Estonia, and Russia. Lithuania contributed 53.2% of imports, Estonia 14.8%, and Russia 10.2%. Collectively, these three countries formed 78.3% of total import flows.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

In 2021, Latvia's imports of cartons, boxes, and cases made from corrugated paper or paperboard grew for the third year in a row, amounting to 20 738 thousand US dollars. This was up by 34.2% compared to 2020. Over the period from 2018 to 2021, imports increased by 41.8%, with a compound annual growth rate of 12.4%.

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

Throughout 2018 to 2021, Lithuania, Estonia, and Russia remained the primary sources for Latvia's imports of cartons, boxes, and cases made from corrugated paper or paperboard in value terms. Lithuania accounted for 51.5% of imports, Estonia for 14.6%, and Russia for 7.8%. Together, these markets represented 73.9% of total import flows.

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

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