Plastic bottles and similar articles market in Czechia

Earlier Report Observations

Between 2018 and 2020, the market size for plastic bottles and similar articles in Czechia remained relatively stable with minor declines. Demand was supported by the use of plastic carboys in sectors like construction, agriculture, and automotive, leveraging the strength and chemical resistance of HDPE and PP materials. Concurrently, legislative pressure to limit single-use plastics, including preparations for a ban effective from July 2021, exerted a moderating influence on market growth.

The market expanded notably in 2021 and 2022. The implementation of EU Directive 2019/904 on single-use plastics, introducing recycled content targets for PET bottles and separate collection rules, stimulated market adaptation in 2021. In 2022, the enactment of Czech Law No. 243/2022 restricting certain plastic products, coupled with changes in REACH and CLP regulations for chemical packaging, boosted demand for specialized plastic containers, driving the market size up by 14.6% to 344.6 million USD.

A sharp contraction followed in 2023, with the market shrinking by 15.9%, and a further slight decline in 2024. Ongoing enforcement of sustainability and recyclability legislation, along with rising consumer and corporate preference for eco-friendly and reusable packaging, reduced demand for conventional plastic items. Additionally, in 2024, global factors such as supply chain disruptions and raw material price fluctuations affected production and distribution, contributing to the downward trend.

Production plastic bottles and similar articles in Czechia

In value, 2018-2021, M $ US

After a two-year decline, Czechia's production of plastic bottles and similar articles has rebounded. In 2021, output reached 353.6 million US dollars, marking a moderate increase of 5.7% compared to the previous year. Over the period from 2018 to 2021, production decreased by 5.2%, with an average annual decline of 1.8%. The lowest value was recorded in 2020 at 334.4 million US dollars, which also saw the largest decline of 8.4%.

Annual dynamics of production in Czechia in value, 2018-2021, M $ US

Exports plastic bottles and similar articles from Czechia

Exports in kind, t

Following a two-year drop, Czechia's exports of plastic bottles and similar articles have increased. In 2021, exports amounted to 61 012 tonnes, showing a modest uptick of 5.6% compared to the previous year. Between 2018 and 2021, exports decreased by 8.3%, equating to an annualized decline of 2.9%. The lowest value was recorded in 2020 at 57 780 tonnes, which also experienced the largest decline of 12.7%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Czechia in kind, 2018-2021, t

From 2018 to 2021, Germany, Slovakia, and the Netherlands led the structure of exports in kind, accounting for 39.8%, 11.7%, and 10.7% of exports, respectively. Together, they represented 62.1% of total flows.

Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's exports from Czechia in kind, 2018-2021

Exports in value, M $ US

After a two-year drop, Czechia's exports of plastic bottles and similar articles in value terms have increased. In 2021, exports amounted to 167.0 million US dollars, showing a strong gain of 19.2% relative to the prior year. The lowest value was recorded in 2020 at 140.0 million US dollars, which also saw the largest decline of 15.3%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Czechia in value, 2018-2021, M $ US

Throughout 2018 to 2021, Germany, Slovakia, and Poland formed the core of exports in value terms, with shares of 42.1%, 10.7%, and 8.1%, respectively. Together, they accounted for 60.9% of total flows.

Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's exports from Czechia in value, 2018-2021

Imports plastic bottles and similar articles to Czechia

Imports in kind, t

Czechia's imports of plastic bottles and similar articles have increased for the third consecutive year. In 2021, imports reached 38 139 tonnes, marking a modest uptick of 3.5% versus the previous year. Between 2018 and 2021, imports increased by 9.2%, equating to an annualized growth rate of 3.0%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Czechia in kind, 2018-2021, t

From 2018 to 2021, Italy, Poland, and Lithuania were the main sources for imports in kind of plastic bottles and similar articles to Czechia, with shares of 39.1%, 14.2%, and 9.4%, respectively. Together, they represented 62.7% of total flows.

Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's imports to Czechia in kind, 2018-2021

Imports in value, M $ US

In 2021, the value of plastic bottles and similar articles imports to Czechia amounted to 114.0 million US dollars, indicating a robust gain of 18.7% compared to the previous year. Over the period from 2018 to 2021, imports increased by 20.6%, with an average annual growth rate of 6.4%. The largest decline was recorded in 2020 at 0.1%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Czechia in value, 2018-2021, M $ US

From 2018 to 2021, Italy, Poland, and Germany were the principal destinations for imports in value terms, with shares of 26.8%, 14.7%, and 13.0%, respectively. Jointly, they accounted for 54.5% of total flows.

Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's imports to Czechia in value, 2018-2021