Plastics coated paper and paperboard market in Estonia

Earlier Report Observations

The Estonian market for plastics-coated paper and paperboard expanded significantly in 2019, with volume rising to 15 911 tons from 9 819 tons the previous year. This surge was supported by the broadening range of paper and board packaging available, including waxed carton for liquid food preservation, which increased demand for coated materials.

From 2020 onward, market volume gradually declined, reaching 10 286 tons by 2023. This period coincided with heightened regulatory emphasis on recycling and waste management, as well as the introduction of new segmented products such as KAPA plastic—a plastic-coated board that requires separate end-of-life handling. These developments likely influenced consumption patterns for plastics-coated grades.

The market showed a slight recovery in 2024, with volume edging up to 11 298 tons, while in value terms it reached 19.1 million USD after a dip to 18.5 million USD in 2023. Throughout the period, environmental awareness and policy-driven shifts toward circular economy continued to shape the industry landscape.

Production plastics coated paper and paperboard in Estonia

In value, 2018-2021, K $ US

Estonia's production of plastics coated paper and paperboard declined for the second year in a row. In 2021, output was valued at 2 465 K $ US, marking a significant 50.3% decrease from the previous year. Looking at the period from 2018 to 2021, production fell by 28%, with an average annual decline of 10.4%. The peak was reached in 2019 at 5 246 K $ US, which also saw the largest increase of 53.3%.

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

In kind, 2018-2021, t

Estonia's production of plastics coated paper and paperboard declined for the second consecutive year. In 2021, 2 215 tonnes were produced, showing a dramatic 62.4% drop compared to 2020. Over the 2018-2021 period, production decreased by 42.5%, with an average annual decline of 16.8%. The highest volume was recorded in 2019 at 6 329 tonnes, which also experienced the largest increase of 64.4%.

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

Exports plastics coated paper and paperboard from Estonia

Exports in kind, t

Estonia's exports of plastics coated paper and paperboard increased for the second year in a row. In 2021, the country exported 4 300 tonnes, representing a substantial 16.8% rise from 2020. Between 2018 and 2021, exports grew by 3%, equating to an average annual rate of 1.0%. The lowest volume was in 2019 at 3 436 tonnes, which also saw the largest decline of 17.7%.

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

From 2018 to 2021, Israel, Turkey, and Latvia were the main destinations for Estonia's exports of plastics coated paper and paperboard in volume terms. Israel accounted for 63.8% of exports, Turkey for 8.7%, and Latvia for 7.2%. Together, these three countries represented 79.7% 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 exports of plastics coated paper and paperboard increased for the second consecutive year. In 2021, exports totalled 4 759 K $ US, indicating an abrupt 28.0% rise compared to 2020. Over the 2018-2021 period, exports grew by 19.7%, with an average annual increase of 6.2%. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 3 095 K $ US, which also experienced the largest decline of 22.1%.

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

Throughout 2018-2021, Israel, Latvia, and Finland were the key partners for Estonia's exports of plastics coated paper and paperboard in value terms. Israel accounted for 63.1% of exports, Latvia for 7.8%, and Finland for 6.2%. Combined, these three countries made up 77.1% 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 plastics coated paper and paperboard to Estonia

Imports in kind, t

In 2021, Estonia's imports of plastics coated paper and paperboard reached 14 651 tonnes, reflecting a robust 13.0% increase from the previous year. Between 2018 and 2021, imports grew by 44.5%, equating to an average annual rate of 13.0%. The largest decline occurred in 2020 at 0.4%, while the largest increase was in 2019 at 28.4%.

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

From 2018 to 2021, Sweden, Finland, and Russia were the principal sources for Estonia's imports of plastics coated paper and paperboard in volume terms. Sweden accounted for 36.5% of imports, Finland for 21.4%, and Russia for 9.4%. Together, these three countries represented 67.3% 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

In 2021, Estonia's imports of plastics coated paper and paperboard from abroad reached 23 482 K $ US, constituting an 18.2% increase from a year earlier. Between 2018 and 2021, imports grew by 34.9%, equating to an average annual rate of 10.5%. The largest decline was in 2020 at 3.6%, while the largest increase occurred in 2019 at 18.3%.

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

From 2018 to 2021, Finland, Sweden, and Germany formed the main group of destinations for Estonia's imports of plastics coated paper and paperboard in value terms. Finland accounted for 26.2% of imports, Sweden for 18.0%, and Germany for 13.4%. Combined, these three countries made up 57.5% of total import flows.

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

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