Printed labels of paper or paperboard market in Belgium

Earlier Report Observations

Between 2018 and 2021, Belgium's trade in printed labels fluctuated, with imports and exports declining in 2019 and 2020 before rebounding in 2021. This recovery was driven by a 14.6% surge in European demand for paper substrates, which increased the need for paper-based labels in the Belgian market.

From 2022 to 2024, the market size in value terms rose from 242.8 million US dollars to 258.5 million in 2023, then fell to 243.8 million in 2024. The 2023 increase occurred alongside growing environmental regulations in the EU, which pushed companies toward more expensive sustainable materials, elevating the market's value. The subsequent drop in 2024 reflected the depletion of inventories accumulated during the pandemic, which reduced immediate demand for new labels as companies sold off stocks.

Production printed labels of paper or paperboard in Belgium

According to Faostat, there is no production of printed labels of paper or paperboard in Belgium.

Exports printed labels of paper or paperboard from Belgium

Exports in kind, t

In 2020, Belgium exported 15 022 tonnes of printed paper or paperboard labels, representing a year-on-year increase of 9.9%. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, exports grew by 12%, which translates to an annualized growth rate of 3.9%. The highest export volume was recorded in 2018 at 15 992 tonnes. In 2019, exports experienced their largest decline of 14.5%, while the largest increase occurred in 2018 with a rise of 19.3%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the primary destinations for Belgium's exports of printed paper or paperboard labels in volume terms were France, accounting for 35.0% of exports, the Netherlands at 17.0%, and Poland with 10.4%. Together, these three countries comprised 62.4% of Belgium's total exports in this category.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

Belgium's exports of printed paper or paperboard labels in value terms declined for the second consecutive year in 2020, reaching 95.9 million US dollars, a slight decrease of 2.1% compared to the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, export value fell by 8%, corresponding to an annualized decline of 2.7%. The peak value was observed in 2018 at 113.3 million US dollars. The most significant drop occurred in 2019 with a 13.6% decrease, while the largest increase was in 2018 at 8.7%.

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

During the 2017–2020 period, the leading markets for Belgium's exports of printed paper or paperboard labels in value terms were France, representing 32.7% of exports, the Netherlands at 21.3%, and Germany with 6.9%. Collectively, these three countries accounted for 60.9% of Belgium's total export flows in this sector.

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

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

Imports printed labels of paper or paperboard to Belgium

Imports in kind, t

In 2020, Belgium imported 69 940 tonnes of printed paper or paperboard labels, marking a sharp increase of 48.0% from 2019. From 2017 to 2020, imports rose by 20.8%, equating to an annualized growth rate of 6.5%. The lowest import volume was recorded in 2019 at 47 251 tonnes, while the highest was in 2018 at 76 000 tonnes. The most substantial decline took place in 2019 with a 37.8% drop.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, the main sources for Belgium's imports of printed paper or paperboard labels in volume terms were the Netherlands, contributing 45.7% of imports, France at 19.3%, and Germany with 12.8%. Together, these three countries made up 77.8% of Belgium's total import flows in this category.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

Belgium imported 98.0 million US dollars worth of printed paper or paperboard labels in 2020, showing a modest increase of 2.6% compared to the previous year. Over the 2017–2020 period, import value decreased by 3.7%, which corresponds to an annualized decline of 1.3%. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 95.5 million US dollars, while the highest was in 2018 at 117.1 million US dollars. The largest decline occurred in 2019 with an 18.5% drop, and the largest increase was in 2018 at 15.1%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, three key markets—the Netherlands, France, and Germany—collectively represented 71.7% of Belgium's total imports of printed paper or paperboard labels in value terms.

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

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