Plastic sacks and bags market in Estonia

Earlier Report Observations

The market for plastic sacks and bags in Estonia underwent significant changes between 2018 and 2024. In physical terms, market volume grew from 20 686 t in 2018 to a peak of 24 378 t in 2020, before contracting sharply to 11 986 t in 2021 and stabilizing around 11 000 t in subsequent years. In contrast, the market's value followed a different trajectory, declining from $30.0 million in 2018 to $27.8 million in 2020, then rising to a high of $36.7 million in 2022 before moderating to $32.0 million in 2024.

The marked decline in volume after 2020 aligned with the strengthening of European Union environmental regulations, which targeted a reduction in single-use plastic consumption across member states including Estonia. These regulatory measures pressured the physical volume of traditional plastic bags. Concurrently, data from 2023 indicated that per capita use remained substantial, with Estonians consuming between 111 and 131 lightweight plastic carrier bags per person, underscoring the persistent challenge of changing consumer habits despite regulatory efforts.

The divergence between volume and value trends suggests a market transformation. The rise in market value amid falling tonnage points to a shift in product mix, likely towards higher-value, more specialized, or sustainable packaging solutions driven by regulatory demands and evolving consumer preferences within the EU framework.

Production plastic sacks and bags in Estonia

In value, 2018-2021, K $ US

Estonia's plastic sacks and bags production has increased for the second year in a row. In 2021, output reached 27 770 thousand US dollars, marking a robust 11.5% improvement compared to the previous year. Over the 2018-2021 period, production grew by 8.9%, with an average annual growth rate of 2.9%. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 23 564 thousand US dollars, which also saw the largest decline of 7.6%.

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

In kind, 2018-2021, t

Following two years of growth, Estonia's plastic sacks and bags production declined. In 2021, output totaled 8 312 tonnes, representing a sharp 58.4% drop compared to the previous year. Over the 2018-2021 period, production decreased by 53.3%, with an average annual decline of 22.4%. The highest value was recorded in 2020 at 19 979 tonnes, while the largest increase occurred in 2019 at 9.9%.

Annual dynamics of production in Estonia in kind, 2018-2021, t

Exports plastic sacks and bags from Estonia

Exports in kind, t

Estonia's exports of plastic sacks and bags have increased for the third consecutive year. In 2021, exports reached 8 927 tonnes, showing a significant 14.7% rise compared to 2020. Between 2018 and 2021, exports grew by 22.7%, equating to an average annual rate of 7.1%.

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

From 2018 to 2021, Lithuania, Sweden, and Norway were the main destinations for Estonia's plastic sacks and bags exports in volume terms. Lithuania accounted for 20.9% of exports, Sweden for 18.0%, and Norway for 16.5%, together representing 55.4% of total export flows.

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, K $ US

Estonia's plastic sacks and bags exports have increased for the second consecutive year. In 2021, exports totaled 30 328 thousand US dollars, corresponding to a 23.7% gain compared to 2020. Over the 2018-2021 period, exports grew by 27.6%, with an average annual growth rate of 8.5%. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 23 181 thousand US dollars, which also saw the largest decline of 2.4%.

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

Between 2018 and 2021, Estonia's plastic sacks and bags exports in value terms were not heavily concentrated. Sweden and Norway each accounted for 14.8% of exports, while Lithuania represented 13.4%, together capturing only 43.0% of total export 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 sacks and bags to Estonia

Imports in kind, t

Estonia's imports of plastic sacks and bags have increased for the third consecutive year. In 2021, imports reached 12 601 tonnes, which is 3.5% higher than the previous year. Over the 2018-2021 period, imports grew by 24%, with an average annual growth rate of 7.4%.

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

Throughout 2018-2021, Vietnam, Lithuania, and Latvia formed the key group of partners for Estonia's plastic sacks and bags imports in volume terms. Vietnam accounted for 25.8% of imports, Lithuania for 20.0%, and Latvia for 17.4%, jointly representing 63.2% of total import 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, K $ US

Estonia's imports of plastic sacks and bags have increased for the second consecutive year. In 2021, import volume amounted to 34 464 thousand US dollars, up by 25.5% from 2020. Between 2018 and 2021, imports grew by 22%, equating to an average annual rate of 6.9%. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 27 290 thousand US dollars, which also saw the largest decline of 3.4%.

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

The structure of Estonia's plastic sacks and bags imports in value terms from 2018 to 2021 points to a diversified set of partners. Vietnam accounted for 18.0% of imports, Lithuania for 16.7%, and Latvia for 10.1%, jointly representing only 44.8% of total import flows. The remaining 55.2% was distributed among numerous smaller markets.

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

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