Paper bags and sacks market in Germany

Earlier Report Observations

Between 2018 and 2020, the market volume for paper bags and sacks in Germany declined from 321.1 thousand tons to 301.9 thousand tons. This contraction was partly driven by the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, which disrupted wastepaper supply chains and raised costs for energy and raw materials, dampening investment in new production capacity. Earlier, the 2019 amendments to the German Packaging Act (VerpackG) and the EU Packaging Directive introduced stricter reporting and recycling obligations, adding regulatory complexity for manufacturers during this period.

A sharp market recovery followed, with volume rising to 323.4 thousand tons in 2021 and surging to 364.5 thousand tons in 2022. This growth was primarily fueled by the national ban on single-use plastic bags, enacted in 2022 after preparatory measures in 2021, which accelerated a large-scale shift from plastic to paper alternatives in retail and food sectors. Concurrently, a continued drop in per capita plastic bag consumption to 31 bags per year further bolstered demand for paper sacks.

Market volume then receded to 328.1 thousand tons in 2023 and 323.0 thousand tons in 2024. This downturn coincided with steep increases in energy and raw material prices, which placed significant cost pressure on producers and constrained output. The period also saw the adoption of the EU Packaging Regulation (PPWR) and the new German Packaging Act (VerpackG3), which set forthcoming labeling and recycling targets, creating operational uncertainty and necessitating future adjustments by industry players.

Production paper bags and sacks in Germany

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

In Germany, the output value of paper bags and sacks reached 862.2 million US dollars in 2020, marking a 1.3% increase from 2019. Production grew by 4.1% between 2017 and 2020, translating to an annualized growth rate of 1.3%. The highest value was recorded in 2018 at 897.6 million US dollars, which saw the largest increase of 8.3%. In contrast, 2019 experienced the largest decline of 5.2%.

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

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Germany's production volume of paper bags and sacks declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, output stood at 304.2 thousand tonnes, reflecting a modest decrease of 3.8% compared to 2019. The peak volume was recorded in 2018 at 321.2 thousand tonnes, which also saw the largest increase of 4.1%.

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

Exports paper bags and sacks from Germany

Exports in kind, K t

Paper bags and sacks exports from Germany increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, exports amounted to 143.6 thousand tonnes, showing a modest rise of 5.3% from 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, exports grew by 15.7%, equivalent to an annualized rate of 5.0%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, exports of paper bags and sacks from Germany were not heavily concentrated on a few key destinations. France accounted for 17.6% of exports in kind, Austria for 9.5%, and the Netherlands for 8.8%. Together, these three countries represented only 36.0% of total export flows, indicating a diversified distribution.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

Paper bags and sacks exports from Germany rose for the third year in a row. In 2020, Germany exported 430.2 million US dollars worth of paper bags and sacks, reflecting a 2.7% year-over-year increase. Between 2017 and 2020, exports increased by 16.8%, equating to an annualized growth rate of 5.3%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, France, Switzerland, and Austria were among the largest buyers of paper bags and sacks from Germany in value terms, with shares of 15.0%, 10.6%, and 9.2%, respectively. However, their combined contribution was just 34.8% of total exports, highlighting a broadly diversified partner base.

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

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

Imports paper bags and sacks to Germany

Imports in kind, K t

Germany's import volume of paper bags and sacks increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, imports reached 141.3 thousand tonnes, which is 6.3% higher than in 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, imports grew by 13%, with a compound annual growth rate of 4.2%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Italy, Poland, and China were the largest suppliers of paper bags and sacks to Germany in kind, accounting for 22.7%, 14.4%, and 11.8% of imports, respectively. Their combined share was limited to 48.8% of total imports, reflecting a diversified country structure.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

In 2020, Germany's imports of paper bags and sacks totaled 375.4 million US dollars, up by 4.0% year-over-year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, imports increased by 12.7%, with a compound annual growth rate of 4.1%. The largest decline occurred in 2019 at 1.3%, while the largest increase was recorded in 2018 at 9.8%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, China, Italy, and Poland were the primary suppliers of paper bags and sacks to Germany in value terms, with shares of 19.8%, 19.3%, and 11.6%, respectively. Together, they accounted for 50.8% of total imports.

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

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