Plastic bottles and similar articles market in Belgium

Earlier Report Observations

Between 2018 and 2020, the Belgian market for plastic bottles and similar articles fluctuated, declining to 367.6 million US dollars in 2019 before recovering to 388.9 million US dollars in 2020. This initial period occurred against a backdrop of strong global market growth, which reached 12% in 2018, with Belgium noted as a key European importer.

From 2021 to 2023, the market entered a phase of sustained growth, rising from 404.8 million US dollars to 505.3 million US dollars. Belgium's established role as a major European exporter of these plastic products during this time supported its industrial base and contributed to the overall market expansion.

In 2024, the market size decreased to 481.7 million US dollars. This contraction coincided with the implementation of new e-commerce packaging mandates in Belgium, similar to German rules, and the enforcement of stricter European ecodesign legislation requiring more durable plastic materials, which altered supply chain dynamics and consumer costs.

Production plastic bottles and similar articles in Belgium

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Belgium's production of plastic bottles and similar articles declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, output was valued at 353.1 million US dollars, marking a gradual fall of 6.4% compared to 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, production decreased by 2.4%, equating to an annualized rate of 0.8%. The maximum value was recorded in 2018 at 418.7 million US dollars, with the largest increase of 15.7% occurring that year. The largest decline was recorded in 2019 at 9.9%.

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

Exports plastic bottles and similar articles from Belgium

Exports in kind, K t

In 2020, Belgium's volume of plastic bottles and similar articles exports amounted to 227.1 thousand tonnes, representing a 38.1% year-over-year advance. Between 2017 and 2020, exports increased by 8.9%, equating to an annualized rate of 2.9%. The minimum value was recorded in 2019 at 164.4 thousand tonnes, with the largest decline of 32.7% occurring that year. The maximum value was recorded in 2018 at 244.2 thousand tonnes.

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

From 2017 to 2020, France, the Netherlands, and Germany were the main destinations for Belgium's exports of plastic bottles and similar articles in kind. France accounted for 50.2% of exports, the Netherlands for 23.8%, and Germany for 7.8%, with these three countries jointly representing 81.8% of total export flows.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

Plastic bottles and similar articles deliveries from Belgium declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, exports reached 279.6 million US dollars, amounting to a decline of 5.6% compared to 2019. The maximum value was recorded in 2018 at 310.1 million US dollars, with the largest increase of 12.4% occurring that year.

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

From 2017 to 2020, France, the Netherlands, and Germany made the biggest contribution to Belgium's exports in value terms. France accounted for 29.8% of exports, the Netherlands for 19.5%, and Germany for 14.1%, with these three countries jointly accounting for 63.4% of total export flows.

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

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

Imports plastic bottles and similar articles to Belgium

Imports in kind, K t

In 2020, Belgium's imported volume of plastic bottles and similar articles came to 143.5 thousand tonnes, reflecting an uptick of 34.1% year-over-year. Between 2017 and 2020, imports increased by 33.3%, equating to an annualized rate of 10.1%. The minimum value was recorded in 2019 at 107.0 thousand tonnes, with the largest decline of 13.8% occurring that year.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, and France were the principal suppliers of plastic bottles and similar articles to Belgium in kind. Luxembourg and the Netherlands each accounted for 23.6% of imports, while France accounted for 21.9%, with these three countries jointly accounting for 69.1% of total import flows.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

In 2020, Belgium's imported value of plastic bottles and similar articles amounted to 315.5 million US dollars, reflecting a robust increase of 10.1% compared to 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, imports increased by 16.9%, equating to an annualized rate of 5.3%. The largest decline was recorded in 2019 at 1.5%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, France, Germany, and the Netherlands continued to be the main suppliers of plastic bottles and similar articles to Belgium in value terms. France accounted for 22.6% of imports, Germany for 20.4%, and the Netherlands for 20.0%, with these three countries jointly forming 63.0% of total import flows.

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

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