Plastic boxes, cases and crates market in Russia

Earlier Report Observations

Between 2018 and 2021, the market for plastic boxes, cases and crates in Russia was shaped by evolving demand and supply chain shifts. The growth of e-commerce and food delivery services increased the need for packaging, boosting imports in 2019. The COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 temporarily reduced consumer goods production but spurred demand for single-use packaging in medical and personal protective equipment sectors, while also accelerating import substitution as local producers began to fill gaps left by disrupted international logistics. Investments in modernizing production facilities laid the groundwork for future expansion.

From 2022 to 2025, the market underwent significant transformation. Geopolitical events and the exit of foreign manufacturers initially disrupted logistics and raised raw material costs, but substantial domestic investments—exceeding 70 billion rubles in modernization and new plant construction—drove a strong recovery in production. The introduction of extended producer responsibility regulations and new reporting requirements for packaging mass further reshaped the industry. Production grew from 147 thousand tons in 2022 to 211 thousand tons in 2024, with continued import substitution and the upcoming ban on certain PET packaging types from September 2025 encouraging a shift toward more sustainable materials.

Exports plastic boxes, cases and crates from Russia

Exports in kind, t

The market exhibited volatility during the observed period. Exports reached their lowest point in 2018, then peaked in 2021, showing a 1.8-fold swing between these years. In 2021, Russia exported 15 772 tonnes of plastic boxes, cases, and crates, representing a notable 14.6% year-over-year increase. The largest decline occurred in 2020 at 6.5%, while the largest increase was recorded in 2019 at 70.9%.

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

From 2018 to 2021, Kazakhstan (38.4% of exports in kind), Belarus (30.1% of exports in kind), and Ukraine (8.7% of exports in kind) were consistently the main destinations for exports in kind, collectively accounting for 77.2% of total flows.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

Cross-border shipments of plastic boxes, cases, and crates from Russia increased for the third consecutive year. In 2021, exports reached 52.5 million US dollars, marking a sharp 48.1% uptick compared to 2020. Over the period from 2018 to 2021, exports grew by 115.3%, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 29.1%.

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

Throughout 2018–2021, Kazakhstan (45.6% of exports in value terms), Belarus (23.0% of exports in value terms), and Ukraine (10.4% of exports in value terms) remained the key partners for exports in value terms, together comprising 79.0% of total flows.

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

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

Imports plastic boxes, cases and crates to Russia

Imports in kind, t

In 2021, cross-border shipments of plastic boxes, cases, and crates to Russia totaled 34 967 tonnes, which is 11.1% above the previous year. Between 2018 and 2021, imports increased by 9.7%, equating to an annualized rate of 3.1%. The minimum value was recorded in 2020 at 31 477 tonnes, while the maximum was in 2019 at 47 652 tonnes. The largest decline occurred in 2020 at 33.9%, and the largest increase was in 2019 at 49.5%.

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

From 2018 to 2021, Belarus dominated the partner structure for imports in kind, holding a 70.9% share of total flows, while other markets had comparatively modest shares.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

In 2021, imported volumes of plastic boxes, cases, and crates to Russia amounted to 112.1 million US dollars, marking a significant 33.7% year-over-year improvement. Between 2018 and 2021, imports increased by 26.5%, equating to an annualized rate of 8.1%. The minimum value was recorded in 2020 at 83.9 million US dollars, with the largest decline also in 2020 at 15.9%.

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

Over the period from 2018 to 2021, Belarus (58.5% of imports in value terms), China (7.1% of imports in value terms), and Germany (6.5% of imports in value terms) were the main suppliers of plastic boxes, cases, and crates to Russia, together comprising 72.0% of total imports in value terms.

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

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