Plastic plates, sheets, film, foil and strip market in Russia

Earlier Report Observations

The market volume for plastic plates, sheets, film, foil and strip in Russia showed initial stability around 800 thousand tons in 2018-2019, with a slight adjustment as the packaging market began recovering from a sales slump amid reduced availability of imported products due to sanctions. The situation shifted in 2020 when demand for plastic packaging surged because of increased delivery orders during the COVID-19 pandemic, pushing market volume to 858 thousand tons. Growth accelerated in 2021, reaching 1 049 thousand tons, supported by continued expansion of plastic film production.

In 2022, market volume temporarily declined to 967 thousand tons as geopolitical tensions and rising costs of imported raw materials constrained output. However, the exit of foreign packaging manufacturers prompted domestic companies to fill the gap, and major Russian players invested over 70 billion rubles in modernizing plants and building new production facilities. These investments bore fruit in 2023, with market volume rising to 1 110 thousand tons alongside a 14.4% increase in production of plastic goods and tableware. The upward trend continued in 2024, reaching 1 132 thousand tons, as the output of plastic packaging alone jumped from 123 billion units in 2021 to 165 billion units.

Preliminary data for 2025 indicate a production volume of 995 thousand tons, suggesting a potential adjustment in the market dynamics following the rapid expansion of previous years.

Production plastic plates, sheets, film, foil and strip in Russia

In kind, 2018-2021, K t

Russia's production of plastic plates, sheets, film, foil, and strip has increased for the third year in a row. In 2021, output reached 985 K t, marking a sharp rise of 27.2% compared to the previous year. From 2018 to 2021, production grew by 50.1%, with an average annual growth rate of 14.5%.

Annual dynamics of production in Russia in kind, 2018-2021, K t

Exports plastic plates, sheets, film, foil and strip from Russia

Exports in kind, K t

Russia's exports of plastic plates, sheets, film, foil, and strip have risen for the third consecutive year. In 2021, exports totaled 124.7 K t, representing a significant increase of 42.4% year-over-year. Between 2018 and 2021, exports surged by 108.9%, translating to an annualized growth rate of 27.8%.

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

From 2018 to 2021, Belarus, Kazakhstan, and Ukraine were the top markets for Russia's exports of plastic plates, sheets, film, foil, and strip in volume terms. Belarus accounted for 24.8% of exports, Kazakhstan for 23.5%, and Ukraine for 7.7%, together making up 55.9% of total export 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

Russia's exports of plastic plates, sheets, film, foil, and strip in value terms have grown for the third year running. In 2021, exports amounted to 349.0 M $ US, reflecting a steep increase of 72.0% from 2020. Over the period from 2018 to 2021, exports rose by 110.4%, with a compound annual growth rate of 28.1%.

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

Between 2018 and 2021, Belarus, Kazakhstan, and Ukraine were the leading buyers of Russia's plastic plates, sheets, film, foil, and strip in value terms. Belarus contributed 24.0% of export value, Kazakhstan 22.0%, and Ukraine 8.4%, collectively accounting for 54.4% of total export value.

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 plates, sheets, film, foil and strip to Russia

Imports in kind, K t

After two years of decline, Russia's imports of plastic plates, sheets, film, foil, and strip in volume terms rebounded. In 2021, imports reached 191.4 K t, showing a solid gain of 11.1% from 2020. The lowest point was in 2020, with imports at 172.2 K t, which also saw the largest drop of 7.1%.

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

From 2018 to 2021, China, Germany, and Belarus were the largest sources of Russia's imports of plastic plates, sheets, film, foil, and strip in volume terms. China made up 33.3% of imports, Germany 12.3%, and Belarus 11.1%, together representing 56.7% of total import flows.

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

Following a two-year decrease, Russia's imports of plastic plates, sheets, film, foil, and strip in value terms increased. In 2021, imports totaled 708.7 M $ US, indicating a strong rise of 21.7% year-over-year. Between 2018 and 2021, imports grew by 6.6%, with an annualized rate of 2.2%. The minimum value was recorded in 2020 at 582.4 M $ US, which also experienced the largest decline of 7.7%.

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

During 2018–2021, China, Germany, and Italy were the primary sources for Russia's imports of plastic plates, sheets, film, foil, and strip in value terms. China accounted for 22.5% of import value, Germany for 16.4%, and Italy for 13.4%, with a combined share of 52.4% of total import flows.

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

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