Plastic packaging and closures market in Estonia

Earlier Report Observations

In 2018, Estonia's largest plastic producer EstPak opened a new machinery hall, investing EUR 2 million and raising production capacity to 5,300 tonnes, shifting production toward a more environmentally friendly level. This expansion supported domestic manufacturing as the market size for plastic packaging and closures remained around USD 100–103 million from 2018 to 2020, with a slight dip to USD 99.8 million in 2019 before edging up to USD 100.7 million in 2020.

The market surged by nearly 20% in 2021, reaching USD 120.6 million, and continued growing to a peak of USD 123.0 million in 2022. This upward trend reversed in 2023 when the Ministry of the Environment updated draft amendments to the Packaging Act and Waste Act, imposing restrictions and bans on single-use plastic products, including a mandate to reduce plastic salad boxes and coffee cups by 2026. Additionally, the city of Tallinn banned single-use plastic tableware at public events from October 1, 2023. These regulatory measures contributed to a market contraction to USD 111.1 million that year.

By 2024, the market showed signs of recovery, rising to USD 116.6 million, indicating industry adaptation to the new rules while production stabilized around USD 87 million.

Production plastic packaging and closures in Estonia

In value, 2018-2021, K $ US

After two years of decline, plastic packaging and closures production in Estonia has rebounded. In 2021, output reached 95 434 thousand US dollars, representing a robust 15.5% increase compared to 2020. Over the 2018-2021 period, production grew by 12.7%, with an average annual growth rate of 4.1%. The lowest value was recorded in 2020 at 82 593 thousand US dollars, which also saw the largest decline of 1.8%.

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

Exports plastic packaging and closures from Estonia

Exports in kind, t

Exported volumes of plastic packaging and closures from Estonia have increased for the third consecutive year. In 2021, export volume reached 21 734 tonnes, showing a modest gain of 2.6% compared to 2020. Between 2018 and 2021, exports grew by 24.2%, equating to an annualized growth rate of 7.5%.

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

From 2018 to 2021, three principal markets—Latvia, Finland, and Sweden—together accounted for 68.0% of Estonia's total exports of plastic packaging and closures by volume.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

The value of plastic packaging and closures exported from Estonia has risen for the third year in a row. In 2021, Estonia exported 87.3 million US dollars worth of plastic packaging and closures, indicating a 13.4% advance compared to the previous year. Over the 2018-2021 period, export value increased by 33.8%, with an average annual growth rate of 10.2%.

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

Between 2018 and 2021, Latvia (35.3% of exports by value), Finland (18.0%), and Sweden (15.3%) accounted for the largest share of Estonia's plastic packaging and closures exports in value terms, together comprising 68.7% of total flows.

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

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

Imports plastic packaging and closures to Estonia

Imports in kind, t

Imported volumes of plastic packaging and closures into Estonia have increased for the third consecutive year. In 2021, import volume totaled 33 693 tonnes, up by 6.5% compared to the previous year. Between 2018 and 2021, imports grew by 22.5%, equating to an annualized growth rate of 7.0%.

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

From 2018 to 2021, Latvia (23.5% of imports by volume), Lithuania (18.7%), and Finland (13.5%) consistently held leading positions in Estonia's import structure for plastic packaging and closures by volume, jointly accounting for 55.7% of total flows.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

Cross-border shipments of plastic packaging and closures into Estonia have increased for the third year running. In 2021, Estonia imported 112.5 million US dollars worth of plastic packaging and closures, marking a strong 18.2% year-on-year improvement. Between 2018 and 2021, import value increased by 34.9%, equating to an annualized growth rate of 10.5%.

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

Between 2018 and 2021, Latvia (25.2% of imports by value), Lithuania (11.9%), and Poland (11.1%) were among the largest suppliers of plastic packaging and closures to Estonia. However, even combined, they represented just 48.2% of total imports in value terms, indicating a broadly diversified partner base.

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

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