Plastic tableware and kitchenware market in Sweden

Earlier Report Observations

The Swedish plastic tableware and kitchenware market reached its peak volume of 13 216 t in 2019 before contracting sharply to 9 597 t in 2020. This drop coincided with the retailer ICA's decision to stop selling single-use plastic items and the impending EU ban on single-use plastic cutlery effective from 2021, reflecting growing consumer awareness of health and environmental risks that spurred a shift toward alternative materials like wood and bamboo.

Following the implementation of the EU ban in 2021, market volume temporarily recovered to 10 764 t but remained below pre-2020 levels. Regulatory changes, including the Swedish Food Agency's scrutiny of plastic materials such as polyamide with aniline, affected import and production dynamics for plastic goods. Consumer preferences continued to move toward durable and eco-friendly products, undermining demand for conventional plastic tableware.

By 2023, market volume fell to 8 664 t, the lowest point in the period, before a partial rebound to 9 633 t in 2024. Throughout these years, the development of climate-smart, sustainable kitchenware using bio-based materials and the entry of new players like Nordkök with a focus on sustainability reinforced the trend away from plastic. Overall, the market shrank by 14% from 2018 to 2024, indicating a structural industry shift.

Production plastic tableware and kitchenware in Sweden

In value, 2017-2020, K $ US

In Sweden, the production value of plastic tableware and kitchenware reached 25 403 K $ US in 2019, marking the highest point during the period. However, in 2020, output fell sharply to 19 489 K $ US, representing a significant 23.3% decline compared to the previous year. From 2018 to 2020, overall production decreased by 8.6%, which translates to an average annual decline of 3.0%. The largest year-on-year increase occurred in 2019, when production rose by 19.1%.

Annual dynamics of production in Sweden in value, 2017-2020, K $ US

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Market performance showed notable fluctuations over the period. In Sweden, production of plastic tableware and kitchenware hit its lowest point in 2018, then surged to a peak of 5 768 tonnes in 2019, representing a 2.4-fold increase. However, in 2020, production dropped sharply to 2 741 tonnes, a decline of 52.5% compared to 2019. The largest year-on-year increase was recorded in 2019, when production jumped by 140.3%.

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

Exports plastic tableware and kitchenware from Sweden

Exports in kind, t

Sweden's exports of plastic tableware and kitchenware declined for the third consecutive year in 2020, reaching 7 220 tonnes. This represented an 11.9% decrease compared to 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, exports fell by 27.6%, equating to an average annual decline of 10.2%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Norway, Denmark, and Finland were the leading destinations for Sweden's plastic tableware and kitchenware exports in volume terms. Norway accounted for 32.8% of exports, Denmark for 21.7%, and Finland for 15.0%. Together, these three countries made up 69.5% of total export flows.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

After two years of growth, Sweden's exports of plastic tableware and kitchenware in value terms declined in 2020, reaching 59 360 K $ US. This was 6.3% lower than the previous year. The highest export value was recorded in 2019 at 63 325 K $ US, which also saw the largest year-on-year increase of 6.2%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Norway, Denmark, and Finland were the main buyers of plastic tableware and kitchenware from Sweden in value terms. Norway accounted for 32.3% of exports, Denmark for 13.2%, and Finland for 11.5%. Collectively, these three countries represented 57.0% of total export value.

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

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

Imports plastic tableware and kitchenware to Sweden

Imports in kind, t

Sweden's imports of plastic tableware and kitchenware in volume terms declined for the third consecutive year in 2020, amounting to 14 077 tonnes. This was a 10.0% decrease compared to the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, imports fell by 22.4%, with an average annual decline of 8.1%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the geographical structure of Sweden's plastic tableware and kitchenware imports in volume terms was highly diversified. China was the largest source, accounting for 28.2% of imports, followed by Germany at 10.1% and Denmark at 8.4%. Together, these three countries represented 46.6% of total import flows, while the remaining 53.4% was distributed among numerous smaller partner countries.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

Sweden's imports of plastic tableware and kitchenware in value terms declined for the third consecutive year in 2020, totalling 70 232 K $ US. This represented a 9.3% decrease compared to the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, imports decreased by 18.4%, with an average annual decline of 6.5%.

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

Throughout 2017 to 2020, China, Germany, and Denmark formed the core of Sweden's plastic tableware and kitchenware imports in value terms. China accounted for 29.2% of imports, Germany for 12.4%, and Denmark for 11.8%. Together, these three countries made up 53.4% of total import flows.

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

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