Kraftliner market in Russia

Earlier Report Observations

Following the entry of new players into the Russian kraftliner market in 2018, market volume dipped to 1 314 thousand tonnes in 2019. However, the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 boosted demand for packaging materials from online retail, lifting the market volume to 1 337 thousand tonnes.

In 2021, rising raw material prices for packaging moderately reduced consumption to 1 331 thousand tonnes. The following year brought global sanctions and logistics disruptions, which cut the market volume to 1 255 thousand tonnes in 2022.

From 2023 onward, the market recovered as reduced exports and growing domestic consumption pushed the volume to 1 449 thousand tonnes. In 2024, the influence of e-commerce and continued rise in domestic demand drove the market further up to 1 576 thousand tonnes. Kraftliner production continued to expand, reaching 2 120 thousand tonnes in 2025.

Production kraftliner in Russia

In kind, 2018-2021, K t

Russia's kraftliner production has increased for the second consecutive year. In 2021, production reached 1 996 K t, showing a moderate 3.7% increase compared to 2020. Looking at the period from 2018 to 2021, production grew by 8.8%, which translates to an average annual growth rate of 2.9%. The lowest production level was recorded in 2019 at 1 639 K t, which also saw the largest decline of 10.7%. In contrast, 2020 experienced the most significant increase at 17.5%.

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

Exports kraftliner from Russia

Exports in kind, K t

The export market showed an unstable trend over this period. The lowest export volume was recorded in 2019 at 339.6 K t, which also saw the largest decline of 20.4%. Exports then rebounded sharply in 2020 with the largest increase of 79.6%, and reached their peak in 2021 at 659.8 K t, representing an 8.2% year-over-year increase. The gap between the highest and lowest years was 1.9-fold.

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

From 2018 to 2021, China, Germany, and Ecuador were the leading destinations for Russia's kraftliner exports in volume terms. China accounted for 34.9% of exports, Germany for 12.0%, and Ecuador for 5.4%. Together, these three countries represented 52.2% of 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 kraftliner exports in value terms have grown for the second year in a row. In 2021, exports reached 440.4 million US dollars, marking a sharp 51.3% increase compared to the previous year. Over the 2018-2021 period, exports increased by 42.1%, with a compound annual growth rate of 12.4%. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 211.1 million US dollars, which also saw the largest decline of 31.9%.

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

During 2018-2021, China, Germany, and Ecuador formed the core of Russia's kraftliner exports in value terms. China's share was 33.7%, Germany's was 13.0%, and Ecuador's was 5.9%. Collectively, these three countries accounted for 52.6% of total export value.

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

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

Imports kraftliner to Russia

Imports in kind, K t

Import volumes showed considerable volatility during these years. The lowest import level was in 2018, while imports peaked in 2019 at 11.5 K t, which also saw the largest increase of 682.3%. By 2021, imports had fallen to approximately 1.9 K t, representing a steep 61.6% decrease year-over-year. The difference between the highest and lowest years was 7.8-fold.

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

From 2018 to 2021, Finland dominated Russia's kraftliner imports in volume terms, accounting for 79.8% of total flows. Other trading partners held relatively minor shares during this period.

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

Import values exhibited significant volatility throughout this period. The lowest level was recorded in 2018, while imports reached their peak in 2019 at 6.6 million US dollars, which also saw the largest increase of 525.3%. The following year, 2020, experienced the largest decline of 62.7%. By 2021, imports had decreased to 1.4 million US dollars, marking a dramatic 42.2% drop compared to the previous year. The gap between the highest and lowest years was 6.3-fold.

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

Between 2018 and 2021, Finland accounted for 74.8% of the total value of kraftliner imports to Russia. The remaining imports were distributed among multiple smaller trading partners.

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

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