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

Earlier Report Observations

From 2018 to 2020, the Slovenian market for corrugated cartons and boxes saw fluctuating volumes, with market size rising to a peak of 92 727 t in 2021. Initial growth was driven by environmental policies that reduced plastic bag usage, shifting demand toward corrugated transport packaging, particularly from the food industry. However, production capacity constraints for higher-quality grades limited output expansion. The onset of increased digitization and online sales in 2020 further sustained demand for cardboard as both protective and marketing packaging.

The market reached its volume peak in 2021 at 92 727 t, propelled by the e-commerce boom which increased the need for durable secondary cardboard packaging. European market profitability and continued emphasis on sustainable materials supported value growth. By 2022, despite ongoing factors like online sales growth and the presence of major players such as VAL KART and DS SMITH, market volume declined to 87 239 t. This shift toward higher-value products was evident as market value rose to $155.5 million despite lower tonnage, reflecting advancements in multi-layer materials and water-based printing that enhanced product worth.

In 2023, market volume fell further to 81 294 t, while value remained elevated at $138.5 million, indicating sustained premiumization. Import and export flows through 2024 show ongoing trade activity, with imports at 35 938 t and exports at 12 998 t for the year. The overall period from 2018 to 2023 saw market value grow from $115.0 million to $138.5 million, underscoring how environmental regulations and e-commerce transformed demand toward more valuable corrugated packaging solutions.

Production corrugated or paperboard cartons, boxes and cases in Slovenia

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Slovenia's production of cartons, boxes, and cases made from corrugated paper or paperboard has declined for the second year in a row. In 2020, the output was valued at 98.3 million US dollars, marking a 7.1% decrease compared to 2019. Looking at the period from 2017 to 2020, production overall increased by 3.1%, which translates to an average annual growth rate of 1.0%. The peak value was recorded in 2018 at 111.3 million US dollars, with the largest annual increase of 16.8% also occurring that year.

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

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Slovenia's production volume of cartons, boxes, and cases made from corrugated paper or paperboard has fallen for the second consecutive year. In 2020, the country produced 70 083 tonnes, down by 5.9% from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, production rose by 3.2%, with a compound annual growth rate of 1.0%. The highest volume was achieved in 2018 at 75 635 tonnes, which also saw the largest annual increase of 11.3%.

Annual dynamics of production in Slovenia in kind, 2017-2020, t

Exports corrugated or paperboard cartons, boxes and cases from Slovenia

Exports in kind, t

In 2020, Slovenia's exports of cartons, boxes, and cases made from corrugated paper or paperboard reached 12 434 tonnes, showing a modest increase of 1.8% compared to 2019. From 2017 to 2020, exports decreased by 13.1%, averaging an annual decline of 4.6%. The lowest volume was recorded in 2019 at 12 216 tonnes, while the peak was in 2018 at 14 820 tonnes. The largest annual drop occurred in 2019 with a 17.6% decrease, whereas the biggest gain was in 2018 with a 3.6% rise.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, the Netherlands, Austria, and Italy were the top markets for Slovenia's exports of cartons, boxes, and cases made from corrugated paper or paperboard in volume terms. The Netherlands accounted for 21.6% of exports, Austria for 20.9%, and Italy for 15.8%, together making up 58.3% of total export flows.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

In 2020, Slovenia exported cartons, boxes, and cases made from corrugated paper or paperboard worth 23.122 million US dollars, an increase of 8.2% from the previous year. The lowest value was in 2019 at 21.362 million US dollars, while the highest was in 2018 at 24.904 million US dollars. The most significant annual decline happened in 2019 with a 14.2% drop.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Austria, the Netherlands, and Germany were the leading buyers of Slovenia's cartons, boxes, and cases made from corrugated paper or paperboard in value terms. Austria represented 20.9% of exports, the Netherlands 20.3%, and Germany 13.3%, collectively comprising 54.6% of total export value.

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

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

Imports corrugated or paperboard cartons, boxes and cases to Slovenia

Imports in kind, t

In 2020, Slovenia's imports of cartons, boxes, and cases made from corrugated paper or paperboard amounted to 24 515 tonnes, remaining relatively stable compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports fell by 6.6%, with an average annual decrease of 2.2%. The lowest volume was in 2018 at 23 420 tonnes, which also experienced the largest annual decline of 10.8%. The biggest increase occurred in 2019 with a 4.8% rise.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Croatia, Italy, and Germany were the main suppliers of cartons, boxes, and cases made from corrugated paper or paperboard to Slovenia in volume terms. Croatia contributed 41.8% of imports, Italy 28.6%, and Germany 8.8%, together accounting for 79.2% of total import volume.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

After two years of growth, Slovenia's imports of cartons, boxes, and cases made from corrugated paper or paperboard declined in 2020. The import value totaled 29.858 million US dollars, a slight decrease of 1.1% from the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, imports increased by 5.2%, averaging an annual growth rate of 1.7%. The highest value was recorded in 2019 at 30.202 million US dollars, which also saw the largest annual increase of 5.3%.

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

In the 2017-2020 period, Croatia, Italy, and Germany led as the primary suppliers of cartons, boxes, and cases made from corrugated paper or paperboard to Slovenia in value terms. Croatia accounted for 34.0% of imports, Italy for 28.4%, and Germany for 12.0%, jointly representing 74.4% of total import value.

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

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