Corrugated paper and paperboard market in Poland

Earlier Report Observations

The market volume for corrugated paper and paperboard in Poland expanded from 1 087 thousand tons in 2018 to 1 303 thousand tons in 2024. This growth was not linear, with a peak of 1 260 thousand tons reached in 2021, followed by a contraction in 2022 before recovery and further expansion.

In 2024, the market volume increased by 7% to 1 303 thousand tons. This rise was supported by sustained import growth, which had a compound annual growth rate of +20.6% from 2013 to 2024, indicating strengthening domestic demand. Major local production assets, such as the six Mondi plants converting paper for corrugated packaging used in the food sector, provided a stable supply base.

The industry is also adapting to sustainability trends, exemplified by the 2024 introduction of a biodegradable hot melt adhesive for corrugated packaging production. Increased automation and AI use for optimizing production and recycling sorting are enhancing operational efficiency, reinforcing Poland's role as a competitive manufacturing hub for paper and corrugated packaging in Eastern Europe.

Production corrugated paper and paperboard in Poland

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Poland's production of corrugated paper and paperboard declined for the second year in a row. In 2020, output was valued at 658.6 million US dollars, marking a modest decrease of 6.9% compared to 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production fell by 3.4%, which translates to an average annual decline of 1.2%. The highest production value was recorded in 2018 at 806.3 million US dollars, representing an 18.2% increase from the previous year. The largest decline occurred in 2019, with a drop of 12.3%.

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

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

In 2020, Poland produced 1,098 thousand tonnes of corrugated paper and paperboard, showing a slight increase of 2.3% compared to 2019. From 2017 to 2020, production grew by 2.3%, averaging 0.8% per year. The lowest production volume was in 2019 at 1,072 thousand tonnes, which was a 5.7% decrease from 2018. The highest volume was in 2018 at 1,137 thousand tonnes, reflecting a 6.0% rise from the previous year.

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

Exports corrugated paper and paperboard from Poland

Exports in kind, K t

Poland's exports of corrugated paper and paperboard fell for the second consecutive year. In 2020, exports amounted to 76.3 thousand tonnes, a significant decline of 17.2% compared to 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, exports decreased by 6.8%, with a compound annual growth rate of -2.3%. The peak export volume was in 2018 at 103.9 thousand tonnes, which represented a 26.9% increase from 2017.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Czechia, Slovakia, and Hungary consistently led Poland's export structure in volume terms. Czechia accounted for 43.6% of exports, Slovakia for 25.6%, and Hungary for 12.5%. Together, these three countries made up 81.7% of total export flows.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

Poland's exports of corrugated paper and paperboard in value terms declined for the second year running. In 2020, export value totaled 54,668 thousand US dollars, a sharp reduction of 25.4% year-over-year. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports fell by 10.8%, averaging an annual decline of 3.8%. The highest export value was in 2018 at 83,778 thousand US dollars, which was a 36.6% increase from the previous year.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Czechia, Slovakia, and Hungary dominated Poland's export structure in value terms. Czechia held a 41.7% share, Slovakia 24.7%, and Hungary 12.4%. Collectively, these three countries represented 78.7% of total export flows.

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

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

Imports corrugated paper and paperboard to Poland

Imports in kind, K t

Poland's imports of corrugated paper and paperboard showed notable fluctuations from 2017 to 2020. The lowest import volume was in 2018 at 53.2 thousand tonnes, marking a 14.0% decline from the previous year. In 2020, imports surged to 113.9 thousand tonnes, a dramatic increase of 85.9% compared to 2019. Over this period, imports varied significantly, with a 2.1-fold difference between the peak in 2020 and the trough in 2018.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Germany was the dominant source for Poland's imports of corrugated paper and paperboard in volume terms, accounting for 73.7% of total imports. The remaining imports were distributed among a variety of smaller countries.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

In 2020, Poland's imports of corrugated paper and paperboard in value terms amounted to 71,951 thousand US dollars, a 27.9% increase compared to 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, imports grew by 48.5%, averaging 14.1% per year. The largest decline occurred in 2019, with a drop of 6.7%.

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

Over the 2017-2020 period, Germany and Belgium were the main suppliers of corrugated paper and paperboard to Poland in value terms. Together, they accounted for 81.5% of total imports, while the remainder was spread across a fragmented group of other countries.

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

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