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

Earlier Report Observations

The Russian market for folding cartons, boxes and cases of non-corrugated paperboard contracted significantly between 2018 and 2021, with volume falling from 457.5 thousand tonnes to 303.4 thousand tonnes. This period saw the market adapting to new dynamics, including the entry of new flexible packaging players and the installation of new advanced machinery. Concurrently, the rise of e-commerce and demand for paper-based packaging was noted as a key trend, although the overall market size was on a downward trajectory, potentially influenced by underlying shifts in material usage or end-market demand. The pandemic in 2020 notably increased demand for food and essential goods packaging, yet the market volume for this specific segment remained largely stable compared to the previous year.

From 2022, the market showed signs of stabilization and subsequent growth. The imposition of Western sanctions in 2022 created a pivotal shift, leading to the departure of major international packaging producers like Tetra Pak and Smurfit Kappa. This triggered an investment wave, with Russian companies channeling over 70 billion rubles into modernizing existing plants and building new production facilities to fill the gap. This investment, coupled with the government's introduction of export quotas for waste paper to support domestic cardboard producers, helped stabilize the market. In 2023, these efforts culminated in a 21% market expansion to 371.8 thousand tonnes, directly supported by an 11% rise in national packaging production and the continued, robust growth of e-commerce, which intensified demand for folding cartons and boxes.

The market experienced a sharp contraction in 2024, declining by 30% to 259.5 thousand tonnes. Production in 2025 was at 241.8 thousand tonnes. Throughout this later period, the industry continued to emphasize trends toward lightweight and environmentally friendly materials, and the regulatory environment evolved with the introduction of amended GOST standards for consumer packaging and stricter environmental reporting requirements for packaging recycling.

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

In kind, 2018-2021, K t

In 2021, Russia produced 329.3 thousand tonnes of folding cartons, boxes, and cases made from non-corrugated paper or paperboard, which represents an 8.9% decrease compared to the previous year. Over the period from 2018 to 2021, production fell by 26.7%, with an average annual decline of 9.8%. The most significant drop occurred in 2019, when production decreased by 23.0%. In contrast, 2020 saw a modest increase of 4.4%.

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

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

Exports in kind, t

Russia's exports of folding cartons, boxes, and cases made from non-corrugated paper or paperboard have grown for the third year in a row. In 2021, the country exported 33,988 tonnes, marking a year-on-year rise of 12.1%. Between 2018 and 2021, exports surged by 53.7%, which translates to an average annual growth rate of 15.4%.

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

From 2018 to 2021, the three largest markets for Russia's exports in volume terms were Kazakhstan, Finland, and Belarus. Together, these countries accounted for 55.2% of the 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

Russia's exports of folding cartons, boxes, and cases made from non-corrugated paper or paperboard have increased for the second consecutive year. In 2021, export revenues reached 108.7 million US dollars, showing a strong improvement of 19.1% compared to 2020. Over the period from 2018 to 2021, exports grew by 37.4%, with an average annual rate of 11.2%. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 76.9 million US dollars, which also saw the largest decline of 2.8%.

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

From 2018 to 2021, Kazakhstan, Belarus, and Finland formed the core of Russia's exports in value terms. Kazakhstan accounted for 26.1% of export value, Belarus for 14.5%, and Finland for 11.1%. Together, these three markets represented 51.7% of total export flows.

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

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

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

Imports in kind, t

Russia's imports of folding cartons, boxes, and cases made from non-corrugated paper or paperboard have declined for the second year in a row. In 2021, imports amounted to 21,528 tonnes, indicating a dramatic drop of 33.2% compared to the previous year. Between 2018 and 2021, imports decreased by 38.5%, with an average annual decline of 14.9%. The highest volume was recorded in 2019 at 35,269 tonnes, which also saw the largest increase of 0.8%.

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

From 2018 to 2021, Germany, Lithuania, and Belarus played the leading roles in Russia's imports of folding cartons, boxes, and cases made from non-corrugated paper or paperboard in volume terms. Germany accounted for 31.4% of imports, Lithuania for 12.1%, and Belarus for 10.0%. Collectively, these three countries made up 53.4% of total import flows.

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

Russia's imports of folding cartons, boxes, and cases made from non-corrugated paper or paperboard have decreased for the third consecutive year. In 2021, import spending reached 66.2 million US dollars, indicating a drop of 29.9% compared to the previous year. Between 2018 and 2021, imports fell by 39.4%, with an average annual decline of 15.4%.

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

From 2018 to 2021, Germany, China, and South Korea were the main markets for Russia's imports in value terms. Germany accounted for 39.6% of import value, China for 9.5%, and South Korea for 9.0%. Together, these three countries represented 58.0% of total import flows.

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

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