Paper bags and sacks market in Spain

Earlier Report Observations

The Spanish paper bags and sacks market volume showed notable variability between 2018 and 2024. It began the period at 142.5 thousand tons in 2018, climbed to 166.0 thousand tons in 2019, then declined to 152.0 thousand tons in 2020.

Market volume rebounded sharply to 201.7 thousand tons in 2021 and continued growing to 210.7 thousand tons in 2022. Growth paused in 2023, with volume stabilizing at 211.4 thousand tons.

In 2024, the market volume rose to 231.5 thousand tons. This increase was driven by regulations phasing out single-use plastic bags, such as Royal Decree 293/2018, which mandated charges for lightweight plastic bags and encouraged a shift to paper alternatives. Concurrently, rising environmental awareness solidified consumer preference for sustainable and recyclable paper packaging.

Production paper bags and sacks in Spain

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Spain's production of paper bags and sacks experienced a decline in 2020 after two consecutive years of growth. The output was valued at 338.6 million US dollars, representing a 13.3% decrease compared to the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, production increased by 5.6%, with an average annual growth rate of 1.8%. The highest value was recorded in 2019 at 390.7 million US dollars, while the largest year-over-year increase occurred in 2018 at 14.9%.

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

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

In 2020, Spain produced 190.3 thousand tonnes of paper bags and sacks, showing a moderate decline of 3.4% from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, production increased by 2.6%, with an average annual growth rate of 0.8%. The lowest volume was recorded in 2018 at 180.2 thousand tonnes, while the highest was in 2019 at 197.1 thousand tonnes. The largest year-over-year increase occurred in 2019 at 9.4%.

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

Exports paper bags and sacks from Spain

Exports in kind, t

Spain's exports of paper bags and sacks declined in 2020 after two years of growth. The export volume totaled 74 827 tonnes, representing a 3.8% decrease compared to the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports increased by 21.5%, with an average annual growth rate of 6.7%. The highest volume was recorded in 2019 at 77 788 tonnes, while the largest year-over-year increase occurred in 2018 at 13.0%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, France, Portugal, and the Netherlands were the main destinations for Spain's paper bag and sack exports by volume. France accounted for 44.0% of exports, Portugal for 8.7%, and the Netherlands for 5.7%. Together, these three countries represented 58.4% of Spain's total export volume during this period.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

Spain's paper bag and sack exports increased for the third consecutive year in 2020, reaching 141.9 million US dollars. This represented a slight gain of 0.6% compared to the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, exports grew by 24.2%, equating to an average annual growth rate of 7.5%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Spain's paper bag and sack exports by value were distributed across multiple countries without a single dominant partner. France accounted for 32.9% of export value, Portugal for 8.5%, and Israel for 5.7%. Together, these three countries represented 47.1% of total export value during this period.

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

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

Imports paper bags and sacks to Spain

Imports in kind, t

Spain's imports of paper bags and sacks declined in 2020 after two years of growth. The import volume amounted to 36 482 tonnes, representing a significant decrease of 21.9% compared to the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports increased by 22.9%, with an average annual growth rate of 7.1%. The highest volume was recorded in 2019 at 46 709 tonnes, while the largest year-over-year increase occurred in 2019 at 46.5%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Italy, Portugal, and China were the main suppliers of paper bags and sacks to Spain by volume. Italy accounted for 30.8% of imports, Portugal for 20.0%, and China for 15.4%. Together, these three countries represented 66.2% of Spain's total import volume during this period.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

Spain's imports of paper bags and sacks declined in 2020 after two years of growth. The import value reached 93.9 million US dollars, marking an 8.9% decrease compared to the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports increased by 5.3%, with an average annual growth rate of 1.7%. The highest value was recorded in 2019 at 103.0 million US dollars, while the largest year-over-year increase occurred in 2018 at 10.1%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Italy, China, and Portugal were the main contributors to Spain's paper bag and sack imports by value. Italy accounted for 23.3% of import value, China for 22.2%, and Portugal for 14.0%. Together, these three countries represented 59.5% of Spain's total import value during this period.

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

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