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

Earlier Report Observations

The corrugated packaging market in Russia demonstrated consistent expansion from 2018 to 2020, with market volume rising from 2 382 thousand tons to 3 223 thousand tons. This growth was fueled by robust demand from the food industry, the primary consumer, alongside the rapid development of e-commerce and chain retail, which increased packaging needs. The COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 caused a record spike in demand due to accelerated online delivery services and panic buying, sharply elevating production and consumption.

Following the 2020 peak, market volume experienced a slight contraction to 3 167 thousand tons in 2021. From 2022 onward, the market resumed growth, reaching 3 528 thousand tons in 2023. The exit of foreign businesses from Russia amid sanctions and the geopolitical crisis in 2022 stimulated domestic manufacturing. This import substitution, coupled with adaptations in supply chains, supported market expansion despite volatility in raw material costs and reduced access to imported inputs.

In 2024, the market volume increased further to 3 683 thousand tons, while production amounted to 3 729 thousand tons. Production then declined to 3 614 thousand tons in 2025.

Production corrugated or paperboard cartons, boxes and cases in Russia

In kind, 2018-2021, K t

Russia's production of cartons, boxes, and cases made from corrugated paper or paperboard declined after two years of growth. In 2021, output reached 3,246 thousand tonnes, showing a slight decrease of 1.4% compared to 2020. Over the period from 2018 to 2021, production increased by 33%, with an average annual growth rate of 10.0%. The highest production volume was recorded in 2020 at 3,291 thousand tonnes, which also saw the largest annual increase of 30.9%.

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

Exports corrugated or paperboard cartons, boxes and cases from Russia

Exports in kind, t

Exports of cartons, boxes, and cases of corrugated paper or paperboard from Russia grew for the second consecutive year. In 2021, exports totaled 90,353 tonnes, up by 3.1% from 2020. From 2018 to 2021, exports increased by 26.5%, with an average annual growth rate of 8.2%. The lowest export volume was recorded in 2019 at 69,195 tonnes, which also experienced the largest decline of 3.1%. In contrast, 2020 saw the largest increase of 26.7%.

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

From 2018 to 2021, Belarus, Kazakhstan, and Estonia were consistently the main destinations for Russia's exports of cartons, boxes, and cases of corrugated paper or paperboard in volume terms. Belarus accounted for 56.0% of exports, Kazakhstan for 16.9%, and Estonia for 5.0%. Together, these three countries represented 77.9% of total export flows.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

Exports of cartons, boxes, and cases of corrugated paper or paperboard from Russia increased in value for the third year in a row. In 2021, exports amounted to 112.9 million US dollars, marking a sharp rise of 67.4% compared to 2020. Over the period from 2018 to 2021, export value grew by 86.9%, with an average annual growth rate of 23.2%.

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

From 2018 to 2021, Belarus, Kazakhstan, and Azerbaijan were the principal destinations for Russia's exports of cartons, boxes, and cases of corrugated paper or paperboard in value terms. Belarus accounted for 52.5% of exports, Kazakhstan for 15.0%, and Azerbaijan for 6.4%. Collectively, these three countries made up 73.9% of total export value.

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

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

Imports corrugated or paperboard cartons, boxes and cases to Russia

Imports in kind, t

Russia's imports of cartons, boxes, and cases of corrugated paper or paperboard increased after two years of decline. In 2021, imports reached 22,712 tonnes, showing a modest rise of 1.6% compared to 2020. Between 2018 and 2021, imports decreased by 34.3%, equating to an average annual decline of 13.1%. The lowest import volume was recorded in 2020 at 22,347 tonnes, which also saw the largest annual decrease of 27.5%.

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

From 2018 to 2021, South Korea, Ukraine, and Poland continued to be the leading suppliers of cartons, boxes, and cases of corrugated paper or paperboard to Russia in volume terms. South Korea accounted for 24.3% of imports, Ukraine for 20.1%, and Poland for 16.3%. Together, these three countries represented 60.7% of total import volume.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

Imports of cartons, boxes, and cases of corrugated paper or paperboard into Russia increased in value after two years of decline. In 2021, imports stood at 35.9 million US dollars, marking a robust advance of 10.8% compared to 2020. Over the period from 2018 to 2021, import value decreased by 18.3%, with an average annual decline of 6.5%. The lowest import value was recorded in 2020 at 32.4 million US dollars, which also experienced the largest annual decrease of 21.9%.

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

From 2018 to 2021, South Korea, Poland, and China remained the main suppliers of cartons, boxes, and cases of corrugated paper or paperboard to Russia in value terms. South Korea accounted for 24.0% of imports, Poland for 15.4%, and China for 12.5%. Collectively, these three countries formed 52.0% of total import value.

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

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