PE sacks and bags market in Slovakia

Earlier Report Observations

The Slovak market for polyethylene sacks and bags expanded steadily from 37 375 thousand dollars in 2018 to 46 255 thousand dollars by 2020, influenced by the implementation of a deposit return system for single‑use beverage packaging and stricter enforcement of extended producer responsibility rules, which encouraged packaging redesign and investment in recyclable materials.

A sharp surge occurred in 2021, when the market jumped to 63 889 thousand dollars, largely because a ban on OXO‑biodegradable plastics and composite packaging effective July 2021 forced many users to switch to conventional PE sacks and bags. Growth continued into 2022, reaching 72 233 thousand dollars, as a prohibition on placing non‑deposit‑system‑compliant single‑use plastic beverage packaging on the market took full effect, further stimulating demand for compliant packaging solutions.

From 2023 onward, the market contracted, falling to 64 872 thousand dollars in 2023 and 58 857 thousand dollars in 2024. This decline coincided with the introduction of new quarterly reporting obligations for packaging producers in October 2023 and subsequent updates to the Waste Act, which increased administrative burdens and temporarily dampened market activity while industry adapted to the tighter regulatory framework.

Production PE sacks and bags in Slovakia

In value, 2017-2020, K $ US

In 2020, the output of PE sacks and bags in Slovakia was valued at 55 809 thousand US dollars, marking a 7.0% decrease compared to the previous year. Production peaked in 2019 at 59 985 thousand US dollars, with the largest annual increase of 6.5% recorded that year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production declined by 4.1%, translating to an average annual decrease of 1.4%.

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

In kind, 2017-2020, t

In 2020, Slovakia produced 31 703 tonnes of PE sacks and bags, representing a controlled decline of 8.8% from the previous year. The largest annual increase occurred in 2019, with a rise of 7.2%. From 2017 to 2020, production decreased by 8.8%, corresponding to a compound annual growth rate of -3.0%.

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

Exports PE sacks and bags from Slovakia

Exports in kind, t

Slovakia's exports of PE sacks and bags declined in 2020 after two consecutive years of growth. Exports stood at 29 108 tonnes, showing a moderate decrease of 9.0% compared to 2019. The peak was reached in 2019 at 31 980 tonnes, with the largest annual increase of 7.9% recorded in 2018. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports grew by 2.3%, averaging an annual increase of 0.8%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Austria, Germany, and Czechia were the leading destinations for Slovakia's exports of PE sacks and bags in volume terms. Austria accounted for 33.6% of exports, Germany for 32.9%, and Czechia for 18.3%, together making up 84.8% of total export flows.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

Slovakia's exports of PE sacks and bags in value terms declined in 2020 following two years of growth. Exports totaled 51 644 thousand US dollars, reflecting an 11.4% year-on-year decrease. The highest value was recorded in 2019 at 58 317 thousand US dollars, with the largest annual increase of 7.0% occurring in 2018. Between 2017 and 2020, exports decreased by 4.7%, equating to an average annual decline of 1.6%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Germany, Austria, and Czechia accounted for the largest shares of Slovakia's exports of PE sacks and bags in value terms. Germany represented 30.8% of exports, Austria 29.8%, and Czechia 19.1%, together comprising 79.8% of total export flows.

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

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

Imports PE sacks and bags to Slovakia

Imports in kind, t

Slovakia's imports of PE sacks and bags in volume terms increased in 2020 after two years of reduction. Imports stood at 13 633 tonnes, showing a strong gain of 11.1% compared to the previous year. The lowest point was in 2019 at 12 266 tonnes, with the largest annual decline of 12.7% recorded in 2018. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports decreased by 14.6%, averaging an annual decline of 5.1%.

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

Throughout 2017-2020, Czechia, Poland, and Germany were the key sources for Slovakia's imports of PE sacks and bags in volume terms. Czechia accounted for 20.2% of imports, Poland for 17.0%, and Germany for 15.6%, together representing 52.8% of total import flows.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

Slovakia's imports of PE sacks and bags in value terms increased for the third consecutive year in 2020. Imports reached 42 090 thousand US dollars, amounting to a moderate rise of 3.8% over the past year. From 2017 to 2020, imports grew by 8.7%, corresponding to an average annual increase of 2.8%.

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

During 2017-2020, Czechia, Germany, and Hungary were important suppliers of PE sacks and bags to Slovakia in value terms. Czechia accounted for 18.7% of imports, Germany for 15.7%, and Hungary for 14.4%. However, their combined share reached only 48.8% of total imports, with the remaining 51.2% distributed among numerous other trading partners.

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

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