Plastic packaging and closures market in Czechia

Earlier Report Observations

Between 2018 and 2020, the Czech market for plastic packaging and closures was influenced by changing consumer lifestyles and European industry trends. Urbanization and busier work schedules increased demand for smaller food packages and ready-made goods, supporting the packaging sector. During this period, European plastic production reached a record high, with packaging being the largest segment. By 2020, a growing focus on sustainability emerged, highlighted by Unilever launching a decade-long sustainable business program in Czechia aimed at packaging innovation. Simultaneously, recycled materials gained interest as they became cheaper than virgin plastics, beginning to influence production costs and material choices.

From 2021 to 2025, international trade in plastic packaging expanded steadily. Imports rose from 842 million US dollars in 2021 to 901 million in 2025, while exports grew even more sharply from 769 million to 1 032 million dollars. However, available data for 2022–2024 shows a contraction in domestic production value, which fell from 1 156 million dollars to 1 065 million, and a decline in total market size from 1 138 million to 995 million dollars. The earlier shift toward cheaper recycled materials likely contributed to this reduction in market value, as it altered the cost structure of production.

Overall, the market evolved from lifestyle-driven demand toward sustainability-oriented changes. The increased use of recycled content, which is less expensive, helped reshape the market's value dynamics over the period, even as trade volumes continued to grow.

Production plastic packaging and closures in Czechia

According to Faostat, there is no production of plastic packaging and closures in Czechia.

Exports plastic packaging and closures from Czechia

Exports in kind, K t

In 2021, Czechia's export volume of plastic packaging and closures reached 206.6 K t, representing a controlled increase of 7.3% compared to the previous year. The maximum value was recorded in 2019 at 207.1 K t, while the minimum occurred in 2020 at 192.6 K t. The largest decline was observed in 2020, with a drop of 7.0%.

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

From 2018 to 2021, the leading destinations for Czechia's plastic packaging and closures exports in kind were Germany, accounting for 36.5% of exports, Slovakia with 12.7%, and Hungary at 6.2%. Together, these three countries represented 55.3% of total export 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

In 2021, Czechia's export value of plastic packaging and closures stood at 768.7 M $ US, marking a significant increase of 22.2% from the year before. Over the period from 2018 to 2021, exports grew by 22.2%, equivalent to an annualized rate of 6.9%. The minimum value was recorded in 2020 at 628.8 M $ US, with the largest decline of 1.7% also occurring that year.

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

Between 2018 and 2021, the main markets for Czechia's plastic packaging and closures exports in value terms were Germany, representing 35.2% of exports, Slovakia with 11.2%, and Poland at 6.1%. Collectively, these three countries accounted for 52.4% of total export 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 packaging and closures to Czechia

Imports in kind, K t

In 2021, Czechia's import volume of plastic packaging and closures amounted to 202.0 K t, showing an improvement of 13.0% compared to 2020. The maximum value was recorded in 2019 at 221.7 K t, while the minimum was in 2020 at 178.7 K t. The largest decline occurred in 2020, with a decrease of 19.4%.

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

From 2018 to 2021, Germany, Poland, and Italy were the largest sources of plastic packaging and closures imports in kind for Czechia. Germany accounted for 23.7% of imports, Poland for 18.1%, and Italy for 11.5%, together comprising 53.3% of total import 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

After a two-year decrease, Czechia's import volume of plastic packaging and closures rebounded in 2021. The country imported approximately 841.9 M $ US worth of these goods, reflecting an intense improvement of 29.4% compared to 2020. Over the 2018-2021 period, imports increased by 25.4%, with a compound annual growth rate of 7.9%. The minimum value was recorded in 2020 at 650.5 M $ US, while the largest decline of 1.6% occurred in 2019.

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

Between 2018 and 2021, Germany, Poland, and Italy remained the main suppliers of plastic packaging and closures to Czechia in value terms. Germany accounted for 28.0% of imports, Poland for 15.1%, and Italy for 7.9%, jointly forming 50.9% of total imports in value terms.

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

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