Plastic sacks and bags market in the Netherlands

Earlier Report Observations

The market for plastic sacks and bags in the Netherlands saw its volume increase from 78.3 thousand tonnes in 2018 to 135.5 thousand tonnes in 2020, while domestic production declined. This expansion was facilitated by a worldwide rise in plastic output, especially for packaging applications, which bolstered imports. Concurrently, the national ban on free plastic bags, in place since 2016, cut the number of single-use bags distributed by 80% by 2018, altering consumption patterns within the market.

From 2021 onward, imports remained volatile, reaching a high of 305.1 thousand tonnes in 2022 before moderating. Regulatory pressure intensified, with stricter recycled-content targets for plastic packaging announced in 2021 and a key 2025 rule requiring at least 50% recycled material in plastic packaging. These measures, coupled with growing consumer demand for sustainable packaging, spurred innovation and a shift toward design-for-recycling and more efficient packaging methods.

Production plastic sacks and bags in the Netherlands

In kind, 2018-2021, t

Production of plastic sacks and bags in the Netherlands has declined for the second year in a row. In 2020, the country produced 67,172 tonnes, marking a 3.0% decrease compared to the previous year. From 2018 to 2020, production fell by 8.8%, which translates to an annualized decline of 3.0%.

Annual dynamics of production in the Netherlands in kind, 2018-2021, t

Exports plastic sacks and bags from the Netherlands

Exports in kind, K t

Exports of plastic sacks and bags from the Netherlands have dropped for the second consecutive year. In 2021, exports totaled 130.0 thousand tonnes, showing a significant decline of 13.7% from 2020. Between 2018 and 2021, exports decreased by 24.3%, with an annualized rate of 8.8%. The peak was in 2019 at 173.6 thousand tonnes, which also saw the largest increase of 1.2%.

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

From 2018 to 2021, Belgium, Germany, and France were the top destinations for exports in kind, accounting for 33.4%, 24.9%, and 9.2% of the total, respectively. Together, they made up 67.5% of all export flows.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

The value of plastic sacks and bags exported from the Netherlands has risen for the second year in a row. In 2021, exports reached 561.2 million US dollars, a 28.7% increase over the previous year. Over the period from 2018 to 2021, exports grew by 20.5%, with a compound annual growth rate of 6.4%. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 429.9 million US dollars, which also experienced the largest decline of 7.7%.

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

Between 2018 and 2021, Belgium, Germany, and France continued to be the leading destinations in terms of export value, with shares of 21.3%, 19.8%, and 12.2%, respectively. Combined, they represented 53.3% of total export flows.

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

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

Imports plastic sacks and bags to the Netherlands

Imports in kind, K t

Imports of plastic sacks and bags into the Netherlands have increased for the third consecutive year. In 2021, imports amounted to 266.9 thousand tonnes, reflecting a substantial rise of 21.9% compared to the previous year. From 2018 to 2021, imports grew by 51.4%, equating to an annualized rate of 14.8%.

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

Throughout 2018 to 2021, Germany, China, and Poland were the key partners for imports in kind, with shares of 31.9%, 12.4%, and 11.3%, respectively. Together, they accounted for 55.6% of total import flows.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

The value of plastic sacks and bags imported into the Netherlands has increased for the second year in a row. In 2021, imports totaled 728.7 million US dollars, up by 37.9% from the previous year. Over the period from 2018 to 2021, imports rose by 24.6%, with a compound annual growth rate of 7.6%. The lowest value was in 2019 at 527.1 million US dollars, which also saw the largest decline of 9.9%.

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

From 2018 to 2021, Germany, China, and Poland were the main sources in the geographical breakdown of import value, with shares of 25.4%, 15.4%, and 9.6%, respectively. Combined, they made up 50.4% of total import flows.

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

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