Paper bags and sacks market in Romania

Earlier Report Observations

The Romanian paper bags and sacks market saw a pivotal shift starting in 2018, when a national ban on thin plastic carrier bags came into force. This regulation, effective from July 2018 and reinforced in January 2019, redirected demand toward paper alternatives as an eco-friendly substitute. Market volume stabilized at around 25 000 t in 2019 before surging to 30 568 t in 2020. Local producers like Fabrica Barleta responded by expanding capacity by 15% and investing in new machinery for handle bags and bakery sacks, catering to increased orders from supermarkets and the food service industry.

Growth continued through the period, with market volume reaching 34 091 t in 2024. This expansion was supported by major investments in new production facilities, such as the dedicated kraft paper mill in Giurgiu announced in 2021, and by the rising demand for certified biodegradable and personalized paper bags. Companies like Pungescu innovated with compostable products, while the HoReCa and catering sectors increasingly adopted durable, customized paper sacks for food packaging, aligning with both environmental regulations and consumer preferences for sustainable options.

Production paper bags and sacks in Romania

In value, 2017-2020, K $ US

Romania's paper bags and sacks production value declined after two years of growth. In 2020, output was valued at 51 924 thousand US dollars, marking a slight decrease of 2.7% compared to the previous year. Production peaked in 2019 at 53 379 thousand US dollars. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production increased by 12%, which translates to an average annual growth rate of 3.8%. The largest year-on-year increase occurred in 2018, with a rise of 10.2%.

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

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Romania's paper bags and sacks production volume increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, the country produced 21 265 tonnes, representing a notable improvement of 10.5% compared to 2019. From 2017 to 2020, production grew by 19.1%, with a compound annual growth rate of 6.0%.

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

Exports paper bags and sacks from Romania

Exports in kind, t

Romania's exports of paper bags and sacks in volume terms declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, the country exported 10 115 tonnes, showing a significant decrease of 21.3% compared to the previous year. Exports reached their highest level in 2018 at 13 332 tonnes, which also saw the largest increase of 14.4% that year. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports decreased by 13.2%, with a compound annual decline rate of 4.6%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, France, Bulgaria, and Italy were the top destinations for Romania's paper bags and sacks exports in volume terms. France accounted for 35.5% of exports, Bulgaria for 11.1%, and Italy for 10.0%. Together, these three countries represented 56.6% of total export flows.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

Romania's exports of paper bags and sacks in value terms declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, exports amounted to 25 894 thousand US dollars, indicating a moderate decrease of 9.4% compared to the previous year. The highest export value was recorded in 2018 at 29 829 thousand US dollars, which also experienced the largest increase of 17.3% that year.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, France, Italy, and Bulgaria were the main markets for Romania's paper bags and sacks exports in value terms. France absorbed 31.5% of exports, Italy 18.0%, and Bulgaria 6.9%. Collectively, these three countries accounted for 56.4% of total export value, making them the primary destinations.

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

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

Imports paper bags and sacks to Romania

Imports in kind, t

Romania's imports of paper bags and sacks in volume terms increased in 2020, reaching 19 419 tonnes, up by 1.8% from the previous year. Imports peaked in 2018 at 20 186 tonnes, which also saw the largest increase of 20.7% that year. In 2019, imports experienced the largest decline of 5.5%. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports grew by 16.1%, with an average annual growth rate of 5.1%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Hungary, Poland, and Italy were the leading sources for Romania's paper bags and sacks imports in volume terms. Hungary supplied 42.0% of imports, Poland 13.7%, and Italy 9.2%. Together, these three countries accounted for 65.0% of total import flows.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

Romania's imports of paper bags and sacks in value terms declined after two years of growth. In 2020, imports totaled 36 126 thousand US dollars, showing a slight drop of 0.6% compared to the previous year. The highest import value was recorded in 2019 at 36 353 thousand US dollars. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports increased by 30.6%, with an average annual growth rate of 9.3%. The largest year-on-year increase occurred in 2018, with a rise of 22.5%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Hungary, Poland, and Italy accounted for the largest share of Romania's paper bags and sacks imports in value terms. Hungary represented 32.8% of imports, Poland 14.2%, and Italy 11.1%. Collectively, these three countries comprised 58.1% of total import flows.

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

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