Folding cartons, boxes and cases of non-corrugated paper or paperboard market in Belgium

Earlier Report Observations

The Belgian market for folding cartons, boxes and cases of non-corrugated paper or paperboard grew steadily from 200 тыс. т in 2018 to 237 тыс. т in 2020. This initial expansion was supported by the entry of new local players offering tailored solutions for e-commerce and professional packaging needs, alongside rising consumer demand for sustainable and recyclable materials. The COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 accelerated this trend as lockdowns and a surge in online shopping dramatically increased the need for cardboard packaging for home deliveries.

Market growth continued into 2021 and 2022, peaking at 318 тыс. т in 2022. Stricter European and Belgian regulations aimed at reducing single-use plastics boosted the substitution towards recycled cardboard packaging. Simultaneously, sustained demand from the food, beverage, and e-commerce sectors, coupled with product innovations like double-walled boxes for better protection, drove volume increases. Local policies for door-to-door collection of paper and cardboard, with specific packaging requirements, further shaped the market environment during this period.

After the 2022 peak, the market volume contracted to 280 тыс. т in 2023 and settled at 266 тыс. т in 2024, marking a recalibration from the earlier high-growth phase.

Production folding cartons, boxes and cases of non-corrugated paper or paperboard in Belgium

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Production of folding cartons, boxes and cases made from non-corrugated paper or paperboard in Belgium declined for the second year in a row. In 2020, output was valued at 325.5 million US dollars, representing a 2.6% decrease compared to the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production fell by 4%, with an average annual decline of 1.4%. The highest value was recorded in 2018 at 382.9 million US dollars, which marked a 12.9% increase. The most significant drop occurred in 2019, when production fell by 12.7%.

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

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Belgium's production of folding cartons, boxes and cases made from non-corrugated paper or paperboard decreased for the second consecutive year. In 2020, the country produced 244.5 thousand tonnes, showing a moderate year-on-year decline of 4.1%. From 2017 to 2020, overall production dropped by 4.8%, with an average annual decrease of 1.6%. The peak was reached in 2018 at 273.8 thousand tonnes, reflecting a 6.6% increase. The sharpest fall was observed in 2019, with a 6.8% reduction.

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

Exports folding cartons, boxes and cases of non-corrugated paper or paperboard from Belgium

Exports in kind, K t

Belgium's exports of folding cartons, boxes and cases made from non-corrugated paper or paperboard fell for the second year running. In 2020, export volume totalled 178.5 thousand tonnes, down 12.5% compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports decreased by 9.7%, with an average annual decline of 3.3%. The highest export volume was recorded in 2018 at 211.0 thousand tonnes, which represented a 6.8% increase.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the Netherlands, France, and the United Kingdom were the main destinations for Belgium's exports of folding cartons, boxes and cases made from non-corrugated paper or paperboard. The Netherlands accounted for 53.2% of export volume, France for 19.5%, and the United Kingdom for 11.6%. Together, these three countries made up 84.3% of total export flows.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

Belgium's export value of folding cartons, boxes and cases made from non-corrugated paper or paperboard declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, exports were worth 235.4 million US dollars, an 8.0% decrease year-on-year. Between 2017 and 2020, export value fell by 9%, equivalent to an average annual decline of 3.1%. The peak was in 2018 at 293.4 million US dollars, marking a 13.5% increase. The most significant drop occurred in 2019, with a 12.7% fall.

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

During the 2017-2020 period, the Netherlands, France, and the United Kingdom formed the core of Belgium's export value for folding cartons, boxes and cases made from non-corrugated paper or paperboard. The Netherlands accounted for 48.2% of export value, France for 24.5%, and the United Kingdom for 10.0%. Combined, these three countries represented 82.7% of total export flows.

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

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

Imports folding cartons, boxes and cases of non-corrugated paper or paperboard to Belgium

Imports in kind, K t

Belgium's imports of folding cartons, boxes and cases made from non-corrugated paper or paperboard increased for the second year in a row. In 2020, import volume reached 170.8 thousand tonnes, up 12.0% compared to the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports grew by 23%, with an average annual increase of 7.1%. The lowest volume was recorded in 2018 at 137.1 thousand tonnes, which saw a 1.3% decline.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Germany, the Netherlands, and France were the principal sources of imports for folding cartons, boxes and cases made from non-corrugated paper or paperboard into Belgium. Together, these three countries accounted for 83.3% of total import volume.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

In 2020, Belgium's import value of folding cartons, boxes and cases made from non-corrugated paper or paperboard stood at 274.5 million US dollars, marking a 1.1% year-on-year gain. Between 2017 and 2020, import value increased by 3.9%, equivalent to an average annual rise of 1.3%. The highest value was recorded in 2018 at 278.5 million US dollars, reflecting a 5.4% increase. The most notable decrease occurred in 2019, with a 2.5% fall.

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

Over the 2017-2020 period, Germany, the Netherlands, and France led as the top suppliers of folding cartons, boxes and cases made from non-corrugated paper or paperboard to Belgium in value terms. Germany accounted for 31.2% of import value, the Netherlands for 26.6%, and France for 17.3%. Their combined share reached 75.1% of total import value.

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

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