Plastic sacks and bags market in Finland

Earlier Report Observations

From 2018 to 2021, the market volume for plastic sacks and bags in Finland experienced significant fluctuations. An initial surge to 53 798 t in 2019 coincided with the development of bio-based products, driven by the partnership between Neste Oyj and LyondellBasell to produce renewable plastics and growing EU regulatory pressure on single-use items. However, volume contracted to 44 420 t by 2021 as heightened regulatory focus on reducing single-use plastics and stricter market access rules for non-recyclable materials constrained consumption of conventional sacks.

After a temporary recovery to 53 428 t in 2022, supported by investments from Finnish companies like Wipak Group in sustainable production technologies, market volume declined again in 2023 and fell sharply to 22 053 t in 2024. This downturn occurred amidst the continued enforcement of EU single-use plastic bans, the entry of new players specializing in biodegradable sacks, and global factors including rising raw material prices and supply chain challenges that affected production costs and availability.

Production plastic sacks and bags in Finland

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

In 2020, the output of plastic sacks and bags in Finland was valued at 102.0 million US dollars, marking a modest increase of 4.6% compared to 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production grew by 7%, which translates to an annualized growth rate of 2.3%. The most significant decline occurred in 2019, with a drop of 1.1%.

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

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Following a two-year upward trend, the production of plastic sacks and bags in Finland experienced a decline. In 2020, Finland produced 55 848 tonnes of plastic sacks and bags, showing a measured decrease of 3.4% from the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, production surged by 93.4%, equating to an annualized growth rate of 24.6%. The peak production was recorded in 2019 at 57 837 tonnes, while the largest increase occurred in 2018 with a rise of 55.7%.

Annual dynamics of production in Finland in kind, 2017-2020, t

Exports plastic sacks and bags from Finland

Exports in kind, t

The market exhibited volatility during the observed period. Exports reached their lowest point in 2019 at 4 086 tonnes and peaked in 2020 at 9 764 tonnes, representing a 2.4-fold difference. In 2020, Finland exported 9 764 tonnes of plastic sacks and bags, reflecting a sharp increase of 138.9% compared to 2019. The most significant decline was recorded in 2019, with a drop of 50.1%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Sweden, Norway, and Latvia were the main destinations for Finland's exports of plastic sacks and bags in kind. Sweden accounted for 57.2% of exports, Norway for 11.1%, and Latvia for 5.3%. Together, these three countries represented 73.6% of total export flows.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

Exports of plastic sacks and bags from Finland increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, exports amounted to 32 402 thousand US dollars, corresponding to a solid gain of 10.7% compared to 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, exports grew by 25.1%, equating to an annualized growth rate of 7.8%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Sweden, Norway, and Estonia remained the principal buyers of plastic sacks and bags from Finland in value terms. Sweden accounted for 44.3% of exports, Norway for 10.6%, and Estonia for 5.5%. Collectively, these three countries represented 60.4% of total export value.

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

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

Imports plastic sacks and bags to Finland

Imports in kind, t

The market showed signs of volatility over the observed period. Imports reached their minimum in 2019 at 46 tonnes and peaked in 2020 at 3 403 tonnes, resulting in a 74-fold variation. In 2020, Finland imported 3 403 tonnes of plastic sacks and bags, reflecting a sharp improvement of 7,253.2% compared to the previous year. The largest decline was recorded in 2019, with a drop of 98.4%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, China, Poland, and Germany continued to be the main suppliers of plastic sacks and bags to Finland in kind. China accounted for 44.7% of imports, Poland for 10.5%, and Germany for 7.8%. Together, these three countries formed 63.0% of total imports in kind.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

In 2020, plastic sacks and bags deliveries to Finland amounted to 13 573 thousand US dollars, marking an uptick of 9.8% from 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, imports increased by 19.3%, equating to an annualized growth rate of 6.0%. The largest decline occurred in 2019 with a drop of 1.6%, while the largest increase was recorded in 2018 with a rise of 10.4%.

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

Over the period from 2017 to 2020, China, Poland, and Germany were the primary suppliers of plastic sacks and bags to Finland in value terms. China accounted for 29.5% of imports, Poland for 12.1%, and Germany for 8.9%. Jointly, these three countries accounted for 50.5% of total import value.

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

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