Plastic packaging and closures market in Italy

Earlier Report Observations

The Italian market for plastic packaging and closures experienced significant fluctuations between 2018 and 2024. After starting at 8 102 million USD in 2018, market size dropped sharply to 6 989 million USD in 2019, then rebounded strongly over the next two years, peaking at 8 837 million USD in 2021. The following years saw a period of relative stability, with the market contracting slightly to 8 655 million USD in 2022 and 8 596 million USD in 2023, before rising again to 8 763 million USD in 2024.

These market movements were driven by corresponding changes in domestic production and trade flows. Production fell from 8 650 million USD in 2018 to 7 513 million USD in 2019, mirroring the market decline, but then expanded to 9 451 million USD by 2021. Imports, after decreasing in 2019 and 2020, grew steadily from 2021 onward, reaching 2 087 million USD in 2023. Exports also showed volatility, declining in 2019 and 2020 before increasing to a high of 2 315 million USD in 2022. The net trade balance affected the overall market size, with higher exports in some years constraining domestic availability.

Production plastic packaging and closures in Italy

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

In Italy, the production value of plastic packaging and closures reached 8 815 million US dollars in 2020, marking a significant increase of 17.3% compared to the previous year. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 7 513 million US dollars, which saw the largest decline of 13.1%. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production grew by 5.3%, translating to an annualized growth rate of 1.7%.

Annual dynamics of production in Italy in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Exports plastic packaging and closures from Italy

Exports in kind, K t

Italy's exports of plastic packaging and closures in volume terms declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, exports stood at 428.2 thousand tonnes, showing a slight drop of 2.2% from the previous year. The highest volume was recorded in 2018 at 449.2 thousand tonnes, which also saw the largest increase of 1.0%. The largest decline occurred in 2019 at 2.6%. Overall, from 2017 to 2020, exports decreased by 3.7%, equivalent to an annualized decline of 1.2%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Italy in kind, 2017-2020, K t

Between 2017 and 2020, Italy's exports of plastic packaging and closures in volume terms were distributed across a wide range of partner countries. France accounted for 19.4% of exports, Germany for 14.4%, and Spain for 11.4%, with these three countries together representing just 45.2% of total export flows.

Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's exports from Italy in kind, 2017-2020

Exports in value, M $ US

Italy's exports of plastic packaging and closures in value terms declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, exports totaled 1 910 million US dollars, reflecting a small decrease of 1.6% year-over-year. The highest value was recorded in 2018 at 2 014 million US dollars, which also saw the largest increase of 9.5%. The largest decline occurred in 2019 at 3.7%. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, exports increased by 3.8%, with a compound annual growth rate of 1.3%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Italy in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

During 2017–2020, Italy's exports of plastic packaging and closures in value terms were allocated across a large number of markets. France accounted for 19.8% of exports, Germany for 11.3%, and Spain for 11.0%, with these three countries together representing only 42.1% of total export flows.

Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's exports from Italy in value, 2017-2020

Imports plastic packaging and closures to Italy

Imports in kind, K t

Italy's imports of plastic packaging and closures in volume terms declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, imports totaled 273.5 thousand tonnes, down by 2.9% compared to the previous year. The highest volume was recorded in 2018 at 301.2 thousand tonnes, which also saw the largest increase of 0.3%. The largest decline occurred in 2019 at 6.5%. Overall, from 2017 to 2020, imports decreased by 8.9%, equivalent to an annualized decline of 3.1%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Italy in kind, 2017-2020, K t

Between 2017 and 2020, Italy's imports of plastic packaging and closures in volume terms relied on a wide range of partner countries. Germany accounted for 20.2% of imports, France for 16.3%, and Switzerland for 7.0%, with these three countries together taking just 43.6% of total import flows.

Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's imports to Italy in kind, 2017-2020

Imports in value, M $ US

Italy's imports of plastic packaging and closures in value terms declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, imports tallied 1 300 million US dollars, corresponding to a moderate decrease of 8.2% compared with 2019. The highest value was recorded in 2018 at 1 466 million US dollars, which also saw the largest increase of 9.1%. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, imports decreased by 3.2%, with a compound annual growth rate of 1.1%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Italy in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

During 2017–2020, Italy's imports of plastic packaging and closures in value terms were allocated across a large number of markets. Germany accounted for 18.9% of imports, France for 15.9%, and China for 11.5%, with these three countries jointly accounting for only 46.4% of total import flows.

Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's imports to Italy in value, 2017-2020