Plastic boxes, cases and crates market in Norway

Earlier Report Observations

The market for plastic boxes, cases, and crates in Norway experienced significant fluctuations between 2018 and 2021. After a sharp rise in volume to over 91 000 t in 2019, the market contracted to around 58 700 t in 2020, a drop likely connected to global supply chain disruptions during the COVID-19 pandemic. A recovery followed in 2021, with the market expanding to nearly 74 800 t. This growth was supported by increased consumer demand for large-volume family packs and ongoing packaging innovations aimed at extending product shelf life.

From 2022 onward, the market entered a period of sustained decline, with volume falling to approximately 50 200 t by 2023 and value dropping to $223.3 million by 2024. This downward trend was primarily driven by strong consumer and regulatory pressures for sustainable packaging. A consistent shift in preference towards cardboard and other eco-friendly materials over plastic, reinforced by Norway's enforced recycling targets for packaging waste, reduced demand for traditional plastic transport and packing articles.

Production plastic boxes, cases and crates in Norway

In value, 2018-2021, M $ US

After two years of decline, Norway's production of plastic boxes, cases, and crates has rebounded. In 2021, the output was valued at 222.7 million US dollars, representing a significant increase of 51.0% compared to the previous year. Over the period from 2018 to 2021, production grew by 35.6%, with a compound annual growth rate of 10.7%. The lowest value was recorded in 2020 at 147.4 million US dollars, while the largest decline occurred in 2019, with a drop of 9.2%.

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

In kind, 2018-2021, t

The market showed an unstable trend throughout the period. Production reached its lowest point in 2020 at 38 037 tonnes and peaked in 2019 at 72 830 tonnes, with a 1.9-fold difference between these years. In 2021, Norway produced 52 911 tonnes of plastic boxes, cases, and crates, marking a sharp increase of 39.1% from the previous year. The largest decline was recorded in 2020 at 47.8%, while the largest increase occurred in 2019 at 88.6%.

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

Exports plastic boxes, cases and crates from Norway

Exports in kind, t

Following a two-year decline, Norway's exports of plastic boxes, cases, and crates have increased. In 2021, the export volume amounted to 5 785 tonnes, showing a strong advance of 16.2% compared to the previous year. Between 2018 and 2021, exports decreased by 8.9%, equating to an annualized rate of 3.1%. The lowest value was recorded in 2020 at 4 978 tonnes, with the largest decline also occurring in that year at 18.3%.

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

From 2018 to 2021, the main destinations for Norway's exports of plastic boxes, cases, and crates in volume terms were the United Kingdom, accounting for 25.0% of exports, Sweden at 19.1%, and Spain at 16.3%. Together, these three countries represented 60.4% of total export flows.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

Norway's exports of plastic boxes, cases, and crates have increased for the second consecutive year. In 2021, exports reached 27.1 million US dollars, corresponding to a gain of 22.0% over the previous year. Over the period from 2018 to 2021, exports grew by 17.7%, with a compound annual growth rate of 5.6%. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 21.3 million US dollars, and the largest decline occurred in that same year at 7.6%.

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

From 2018 to 2021, the three main markets for Norway's exports of plastic boxes, cases, and crates in value terms were Sweden, the United Kingdom, and Spain, which together absorbed 60.0% of total exports.

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

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

Imports plastic boxes, cases and crates to Norway

Imports in kind, t

Norway's imports of plastic boxes, cases, and crates have increased for the third consecutive year. In 2021, imports totalled 27 643 tonnes, corresponding to a rise of 7.7% compared to the previous year. Between 2018 and 2021, imports grew by 27.3%, equating to an annualized rate of 8.4%.

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

From 2018 to 2021, Sweden accounted for 33.7% of Norway's imports of plastic boxes, cases, and crates in volume terms, followed by Denmark at 12.8% and the United States at 7.9%. Together, these three countries comprised 54.5% of total import flows.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

Norway's imports of plastic boxes, cases, and crates have increased for the third consecutive year. In 2021, imports stood at 146.7 million US dollars, indicating a rise of 20.8% relative to the prior year. Over the period from 2018 to 2021, imports increased by 47.6%, with a compound annual growth rate of 13.9%.

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

From 2018 to 2021, the main sources for Norway's imports of plastic boxes, cases, and crates in value terms were Sweden, accounting for 36.7% of imports, Denmark at 13.2%, and the United States at 7.1%. Together, these three countries formed 57.0% of total import flows.

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

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