Folding paperboard boxes market in Belgium

Earlier Report Observations

From 2018 to 2020, the Belgian folding paperboard box market volume in physical terms grew steadily from 247.5 thousand tons to 258.8 thousand tons. This upward trend was interrupted by a significant surge to 347.0 thousand tons in 2022, marking the highest point in the period. However, the market contracted in the subsequent years, falling to 307.7 thousand tons in 2023 and further to 282.4 thousand tons in 2024.

In value terms, the market experienced a different pattern, declining from $496.6 million in 2018 to $441.3 million in 2020. It recovered to $521.2 million by 2022, then dropped again to $449.7 million in 2024. The divergence between volume and value suggests changes in pricing or product mix over the years.

Production levels fluctuated throughout the period, with a low of 259.9 thousand tons in 2020 and a high of 327.4 thousand tons in 2022. Imports also varied, peaking in 2022 at 206.1 thousand tons, while exports showed a general downward trend from 2018 to 2023 before a slight rebound in 2024.

Production folding paperboard boxes in Belgium

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Belgium's production of folding paperboard boxes has declined for the second year in a row. In 2020, output was valued at 377.8 million US dollars, marking an 18.4% decrease compared to the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production fell by 14.1%, with a compound annual growth rate of -5.0%. The highest value was recorded in 2018 at 493.9 million US dollars, which also saw the largest increase of 12.2%.

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

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Belgium's production volume of folding paperboard boxes has dropped for the second consecutive year. In 2020, 259.9 thousand tonnes were produced, down 13.3% from the year before. From 2017 to 2020, production decreased by 11.1%, with a compound annual growth rate of -3.8%. The peak was in 2018 at 312.5 thousand tonnes, which also experienced the largest increase of 6.9%.

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

Exports folding paperboard boxes from Belgium

Exports in kind, K t

Belgium's exports of folding paperboard boxes have fallen for the second year running. In 2020, the country exported 193.7 thousand tonnes, representing an 11.9% decline compared to 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, exports decreased by 7.8%, equating to an annualized rate of -2.7%. The highest volume was recorded in 2018 at 223.5 thousand tonnes, which also saw the largest increase of 6.4%.

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 buyers of folding paperboard boxes from Belgium. The Netherlands accounted for 52.8% of exports in kind, France for 20.0%, and the United Kingdom for 11.2%. Together, these three countries made up 84.0% of total exports in kind.

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 exports of folding paperboard boxes have declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, exports were valued at 280.6 million US dollars, which is 7.3% lower than in 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, exports decreased by 5.6%, with a compound annual growth rate of -1.9%. The highest value was recorded in 2018 at 336.1 million US dollars. The largest decline occurred in 2019 at 9.9%, while the largest increase was in 2018 at 13.1%.

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

Throughout 2017 to 2020, the Netherlands, France, and the United Kingdom remained the key partners for Belgium's exports in value terms. The Netherlands accounted for 45.5% of exports, France for 26.0%, and the United Kingdom for 9.0%. Combined, these three countries represented 80.5% 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 paperboard boxes to Belgium

Imports in kind, K t

Belgium's imports of folding paperboard boxes have increased for the third year in a row. In 2020, the country imported 192.6 thousand tonnes, up 10.5% from 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, imports grew by 23%, equating to an annualized rate of 7.1%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Germany, the Netherlands, and France formed the core group of suppliers for Belgium's imports in kind. Germany accounted for 32.1% of imports, the Netherlands for 31.7%, and France for 15.6%. Together, these three countries represented 79.4% of total import flows.

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 imports of folding paperboard boxes totaled 344.1 million US dollars, reflecting a 3.4% increase over the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, imports rose by 5.6%, equating to an annualized rate of 1.8%. The largest decline was recorded in 2019 at 1.8%, while the largest increase occurred in 2018 at 4.0%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Germany, the Netherlands, and France remained the principal suppliers of folding paperboard boxes to Belgium in value terms. Germany accounted for 28.2% of imports, the Netherlands for 25.5%, and France for 17.3%. Jointly, these three countries made up 71.0% of total imports in value terms.

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

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