Plastic boxes, cases and crates market in Lithuania

Earlier Report Observations

Between 2018 and 2024, the market for plastic boxes, cases, and crates in Lithuania underwent a significant transformation: its physical volume contracted from 27 216 tons to 16 148 tons, while its total value expanded from $49.9 million to $75.0 million. This divergence highlights how underlying market forces pulled volume and value in opposite directions.

The decline in volume was primarily influenced by a growing consumer preference for sustainability and health, which led some users to switch to alternative packaging materials like glass. Simultaneously, the rapid rise of e-commerce, accelerated by the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, sustained demand for plastic packaging within logistics and delivery networks. This supported import levels and contributed to higher average prices, driving the market's monetary growth despite lower tonnage.

In the years following the pandemic, e-commerce remained a key demand pillar, helping stabilize market volume after 2022 and allowing value to continue its upward trajectory. By 2024, the market had settled into a pattern characterized by reduced volume but increased value, with no major production facility openings or regulatory changes reported to alter this course.

Production plastic boxes, cases and crates in Lithuania

In value, 2018-2021, K $ US

Lithuania's production of plastic boxes, cases, and crates has grown for the second year in a row. In 2021, the output was valued at 49 212 thousand US dollars, marking a significant increase of 25.7% compared to the previous year. Over the period from 2018 to 2021, production rose by 35%, with an average annual growth rate of 10.5%. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 35 562 thousand US dollars, which saw the largest decline of 2.4%.

Annual dynamics of production in Lithuania in value, 2018-2021, K $ US

In kind, 2018-2021, t

Lithuania's production volume of plastic boxes, cases, and crates has decreased for the third consecutive year. In 2021, the country produced 11 162 tonnes, down by 18.2% from 2020. From 2018 to 2021, production fell by 50.6%, with an average annual decline of 20.9%.

Annual dynamics of production in Lithuania in kind, 2018-2021, t

Exports plastic boxes, cases and crates from Lithuania

Exports in kind, t

After two years of growth, exports of plastic boxes, cases, and crates from Lithuania declined. In 2021, Lithuania exported 6 772 tonnes, a slight decrease of 2.2% compared to 2020. Between 2018 and 2021, exports increased by 19.4%, equating to an annualized rate of 6.1%. The highest volume was recorded in 2020 at 6 928 tonnes, following the largest increase of 21.4% in 2019.

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

From 2018 to 2021, Latvia, Estonia, and Sweden were the top destinations for Lithuania's exports of plastic boxes, cases, and crates in volume terms. Latvia accounted for 33.3% of exports, Estonia for 16.5%, and Sweden for 10.7%, together making up 60.4% of total flows.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

Exports of plastic boxes, cases, and crates from Lithuania have increased for the third consecutive year. In 2021, exports reached 22 688 thousand US dollars, up by 7.8% from the previous year. Over the period from 2018 to 2021, exports grew by 25.1%, with an average annual growth rate of 7.8%.

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

From 2018 to 2021, Latvia, Sweden, and Estonia were the leading partners in value terms for Lithuania's exports of plastic boxes, cases, and crates. Latvia contributed 26.3% of export value, Sweden 21.6%, and Estonia 12.2%, collectively accounting for 60.0% of total flows.

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

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

Imports plastic boxes, cases and crates to Lithuania

Imports in kind, t

After two years of improvement, imports of plastic boxes, cases, and crates into Lithuania declined. In 2021, Lithuania imported 15 238 tonnes, down by 21.5% from the previous year. Over the period from 2018 to 2021, imports increased by 16.1%, with an average annual growth rate of 5.1%. The peak volume was recorded in 2020 at 15 238 tonnes, which saw the largest increase of 37.3%.

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

From 2018 to 2021, Poland, Latvia, and Finland were the main sources for Lithuania's imports of plastic boxes, cases, and crates in volume terms. Poland accounted for 32.7% of imports, Latvia for 15.9%, and Finland for 8.4%, together comprising 57.0% of total flows.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

Imports of plastic boxes, cases, and crates into Lithuania have risen for the third consecutive year. In 2021, imports amounted to 49 201 thousand US dollars, an increase of 14.7% year-on-year. From 2018 to 2021, imports grew by 55.8%, with an average annual growth rate of 15.9%.

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

From 2018 to 2021, Poland, Finland, and Sweden were the key partners in value terms for Lithuania's imports of plastic boxes, cases, and crates. Poland represented 35.8% of import value, Finland 10.1%, and Sweden 9.3%, together accounting for 55.2% of total flows.

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

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