Paper bags and sacks market in Greece

Earlier Report Observations

The Greek market for paper bags and sacks began the period with a notable expansion in 2018 and 2019. This growth was primarily driven by the implementation of European directives aimed at reducing plastic pollution, which increased environmental awareness and promoted paper bags as an alternative. Legislative measures, including a higher environmental levy on plastic bags effective from January 2019, directly stimulated demand for paper-based packaging. As a result, market volume rose from 28 144 t in 2018 to 33 773 t in 2019, while market value increased moderately from USD 55.9 million to USD 56.5 million.

In 2020, market volume contracted sharply to 25 151 t, though value declined less severely to USD 50.2 million. The following year saw a robust recovery, with volume jumping to 34 724 t and value reaching USD 64.3 million. By 2022, volume settled at 34 054 t, while value continued its upward trend to USD 68.6 million.

The market stabilized in the final years of the period. Volume edged up to 34 990 t in 2023 and dipped slightly to 34 509 t in 2024. In contrast, market value kept climbing, reaching USD 71.7 million in 2023 and USD 73.7 million in 2024, indicating a trend toward higher-value paper bag products.

Production paper bags and sacks in Greece

In value, 2017-2020, K $ US

In 2020, Greece's paper bags and sacks production was valued at 27 971 thousand US dollars, marking an 8.6% decrease from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, production fell by 38.3%, with a compound annual growth rate of -14.8%. The most significant drop occurred in 2018, at 33.7%, while 2019 saw a modest increase of 2.0%.

Annual dynamics of production in Greece in value, 2017-2020, K $ US

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Greece's paper bags and sacks production declined for the third consecutive year. In 2020, the country produced 15 692 tonnes, which is 13.1% lower than in 2019. From 2017 to 2020, production decreased by 46%, with a compound annual growth rate of -18.6%.

Annual dynamics of production in Greece in kind, 2017-2020, t

Exports paper bags and sacks from Greece

Exports in kind, t

After two years of decline, Greece's paper bags and sacks exports increased in 2020. The country exported 5 546 tonnes, up 13.4% from 2019. However, between 2017 and 2020, exports fell by 33.8%, equating to an annualized rate of -12.8%. The lowest volume was recorded in 2019 at 4 888 tonnes, while the largest decline occurred in 2018 at 26.6%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Greece's paper bags and sacks exports in kind were distributed across multiple countries without a clear dominant partner. Bulgaria accounted for 17.8% of exports, Israel for 16.2%, and Cyprus for 15.4%, with these three countries together representing 49.4% of total flows.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

Following two years of losses, Greece's paper bags and sacks export values increased in 2020. Exports totaled 10 266 thousand US dollars, up 1.0% from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, export values decreased by 27.2%, with an annualized rate of -10.0%. The lowest value was in 2019 at 10 165 thousand US dollars, and the largest decline was in 2018 at 26.5%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Albania led Greece's paper bags and sacks exports in value terms with 21.7%, followed by Cyprus at 18.4% and Bulgaria at 16.8%. Together, these three countries accounted for 56.9% of total export flows.

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

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

Imports paper bags and sacks to Greece

Imports in kind, t

After two years of growth, Greece's paper bags and sacks imports in kind declined in 2020. The country imported 15 005 tonnes, down 27.2% from the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, imports increased by 57.2%, with an annualized rate of 16.3%. The peak volume was in 2019 at 20 608 tonnes, and the largest increase occurred in 2018 at 69.0%.

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

Throughout 2017-2020, Serbia, Italy, and Albania were the main sources for Greece's paper bags and sacks imports in kind. Serbia accounted for 29.9% of imports, Italy for 17.4%, and Albania for 12.0%, together making up 59.3% of total flows.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

The market for paper bags and sacks imports into Greece showed volatility from 2017 to 2020. In 2020, imports were valued at 32 477 thousand US dollars, a moderate decline of 9.9% from the previous year. The highest value was recorded in 2018 at 36 294 thousand US dollars, with the largest increase that year at 73.1%. Overall, there was a 1.7-fold variation between the minimum in 2017 and the maximum in 2018.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Serbia, Italy, and Albania were the primary sources for Greece's paper bags and sacks imports in value terms. Serbia accounted for 25.5% of imports, Italy for 23.7%, and Albania for 10.5%, with these three countries together absorbing 59.8% of total import flows.

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

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