Packing containers of paper or paperboard market in Portugal

Earlier Report Observations

From 2018 to 2021, the physical volume of Portugal's paper and paperboard packing container market fluctuated, declining to 27 111 t in 2019 following the introduction of new registration and administrative liability requirements for producers. Subsequent updates to the packaging waste management regime in 2020 and 2021, including stricter labeling rules and adjusted fee calculations for different materials, contributed to this instability. Despite the volatile tonnage, the market's value rose steadily, reaching 62 484 thousand USD in 2021, as regulatory costs likely fed into prices.

A pivotal shift occurred in 2022 with the enforcement of EU-wide restrictions on single-use plastic items, which directly stimulated a substitution from plastic to paper-based packaging. This drove a marked recovery in market volume to 32 369 t in 2022 and further to 36 094 t in 2023. The market value surged in tandem, exceeding 93 923 thousand USD by 2023, reflecting both increased volume and a possible shift toward higher-value paper packaging solutions.

In 2024, the market's physical volume contracted sharply to 23 424 t, while its monetary value continued its upward trajectory to 105 874 thousand USD. This divergence suggests ongoing price increases or a product mix shift toward more expensive containers, even as total tonnage receded from the previous year's peak.

Production packing containers of paper or paperboard in Portugal

In value, 2018-2021, K $ US

Portugal's production of paper or paperboard packing containers has grown for the third year in a row. In 2021, output reached 57 912 thousand US dollars, marking a sharp 28.5% increase compared to the previous year. From 2018 to 2021, production rose by 58.8%, with an average annual growth rate of 16.7%.

Annual dynamics of production in Portugal in value, 2018-2021, K $ US

In kind, 2018-2021, t

In 2021, Portugal produced 25 891 tonnes of paper or paperboard packing containers, which was 10.9% lower than in 2020. Between 2018 and 2021, production fell by 24.1%, translating to an average annual decline of 8.8%. The lowest output was recorded in 2019 at 25 492 tonnes. That year also saw the largest drop of 25.3%, while 2020 experienced the biggest increase of 14.0%.

Annual dynamics of production in Portugal in kind, 2018-2021, t

Exports packing containers of paper or paperboard from Portugal

Exports in kind, t

Exports of paper or paperboard packing containers from Portugal have declined for the third consecutive year. In 2021, exports totaled 750 tonnes, showing a significant 18.7% decrease year-over-year. From 2018 to 2021, exports dropped by 59.1%, with an average annual reduction of 25.8%.

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

Between 2018 and 2021, Angola accounted for 70.7% of Portugal's total exports of paper or paperboard packing containers in volume terms, while the remaining flows were spread across multiple smaller trading partners.

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

World map of product's exports from Portugal in kind, 2018-2021

Exports in value, K $ US

After two years of decline, exports of paper or paperboard packing containers from Portugal rebounded in 2021. Exports amounted to 3 580 thousand US dollars, representing a 9.4% increase compared to 2020. Over the period from 2018 to 2021, exports decreased by 24.1%, with an average annual decline of 8.8%. The lowest value was recorded in 2020 at 3 274 thousand US dollars, and the largest drop occurred in 2019 with a 28.3% decrease.

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

From 2018 to 2021, Angola remained the primary destination for Portugal's exports of paper or paperboard packing containers in value terms, capturing 75.8% of total flows. The rest was distributed among various smaller markets.

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

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

Imports packing containers of paper or paperboard to Portugal

Imports in kind, t

In 2021, Portugal's imports of paper or paperboard packing containers reached 2 600 tonnes, indicating a robust 19.8% increase year-over-year. Between 2018 and 2021, imports grew by 4.1%, with an average annual growth rate of 1.3%. The lowest volume was recorded in 2020 at 2 170 tonnes, which also saw the largest decline of 15.9%.

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

Throughout 2018 to 2021, Spain clearly dominated Portugal's imports of paper or paperboard packing containers in volume terms, taking 71.5% of total flows. Other countries each held significantly smaller shares.

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

World map of product's imports to Portugal in kind, 2018-2021

Imports in value, K $ US

In 2021, Portugal's imports of paper or paperboard packing containers totaled 8 152 thousand US dollars, up by 19.6% compared to 2020. From 2018 to 2021, imports increased by 11%, with an average annual growth rate of 3.5%. The minimum value was recorded in 2020 at 6 817 thousand US dollars, which also experienced the largest decline of 9.4%.

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

Over the period from 2018 to 2021, Spain, Germany, and China stood out as the main sources for Portugal's imports of paper or paperboard packing containers in value terms. Spain accounted for 58.2% of imports, Germany for 15.9%, and China for 8.1%, together representing 82.1% of total flows.

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

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