Printed labels of paper or paperboard market in Germany, 2026

Earlier Report Observations

The market volume for printed labels in Germany grew from 120.4 thousand tons in 2018 to 179.9 thousand tons in 2024, with a notable surge in the final year. Domestic production remained steady at 130.4 thousand tons throughout the period, indicating that the expansion was driven by increased imports, which rose from 28.3 thousand tons to 84.6 thousand tons.

New EU food information requirements and larger font sizes introduced in 2022 led to greater label area per product, boosting material demand. The trend toward sustainability and digital printing accelerated, with over a third of label value produced digitally by 2023, enhancing agility and reducing waste.

Regulatory changes such as the new EU Product Safety Regulation (GPSR) and stricter Packaging Act (VerpackG) effective from 2024 created additional labeling obligations. Simultaneously, announced closures of major paper mills like UPM Plattling tightened domestic supply, further increasing reliance on imported labels.

Production printed labels of paper or paperboard in Germany

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Germany's production of printed labels made from paper or paperboard has increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, the output was valued at 1 592 million US dollars, marking a 3.1% rise compared to 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production grew by 13%, with a compound annual growth rate of 4.2%.

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

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

In 2020, Germany produced 130.4 thousand tonnes of printed labels made from paper or paperboard, representing a slight decline of 1.9% from the previous year.

Annual dynamics of production in Germany in kind, 2017-2020, K t

Exports printed labels of paper or paperboard from Germany

Exports in kind, t

After two years of growth, Germany's export volume of printed labels made from paper or paperboard declined. In 2020, exports totaled 38 098 tonnes, down 2.3% year-over-year. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports increased by 2.6%, with a compound annual growth rate of 0.9%. The highest volume was recorded in 2019 at 39 002 tonnes, while the largest increase occurred in 2018 at 3.3%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Germany's exports of printed labels made from paper or paperboard were not concentrated on a few key destinations. The Netherlands accounted for 14.0% of exports, France for 11.7%, and the United Kingdom for 8.8%, together making up just 34.5% of total export flows.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

Germany's exports of printed labels made from paper or paperboard declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, exports amounted to 389.5 million US dollars, a decrease of 1.4% compared to the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports grew by 4.9%, with a compound annual growth rate of 1.6%. The peak value was recorded in 2018 at 408.0 million US dollars, with the largest increase that year at 9.9%, while the largest decline occurred in 2019 at 3.2%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Germany's export market in value terms remained diverse. France accounted for 12.6% of exports, the Netherlands for 9.9%, and Switzerland for 7.9%, together representing just 30.4% of total flows, with no single partner emerging as clearly dominant.

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

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

Imports printed labels of paper or paperboard to Germany

Imports in kind, t

After two years of growth, Germany's import volume of printed labels made from paper or paperboard declined. In 2020, imports totaled 30 716 tonnes, down 5.0% from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports increased by 11.9%, equating to an annualized growth rate of 3.8%. The highest volume was recorded in 2019 at 32 346 tonnes, with the largest increase that year at 14.3%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the Netherlands was the largest supplier of printed labels made from paper or paperboard to Germany, accounting for 24.9% of imports in kind, followed by Poland at 16.0% and Czechia at 13.3%. Together, these three countries formed 54.2% of total imports.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

After two years of growth, Germany's imports of printed labels made from paper or paperboard declined. In 2020, imports were valued at approximately 227.6 million US dollars, a gradual drop of 3.5% compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports increased by 3.5%, with an annualized growth rate of 1.2%. The peak value was recorded in 2019 at 235.8 million US dollars, while the largest increase occurred in 2018 at 3.9%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Germany's import market in value terms was broad-based. The Netherlands accounted for 15.0% of imports, Poland for 14.2%, and Austria for 12.3%, together making up just 41.5% of total flows, with the remaining 58.5% shared among numerous other countries.

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

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