Printed labels of paper or paperboard market in Italy

Earlier Report Observations

The Italian market for printed paper and paperboard labels saw consistent volume growth from 64 thousand tons in 2018 to 118 thousand tons in 2023, with a notable acceleration after 2020. In value terms, the market reached $1.16 billion in 2022 before easing to $1.01 billion in 2024.

The expansion through 2023 was driven by the entry of new players and digital printing innovations. Canon's acquisition of Edale in 2022 and its development of single-pass digital printers for corrugated board brought advanced production technology to the labels segment, boosting supply and meeting demand for customized solutions.

In 2024, market volume contracted to 108 thousand tons as imports satisfied over 54% of domestic demand, increasing competitive pressure on local producers. Despite the launch of new digital printing equipment like the Canon LabelStream LS2000, the sector faced headwinds from cheaper imports and a loss of competitiveness in the broader paper packaging industry.

Production printed labels of paper or paperboard in Italy

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

In 2020, Italy's output of printed paper or paperboard labels was valued at 862.9 million US dollars, marking a 2.9% increase compared to 2019. The maximum value was recorded in 2018 at 903.7 million US dollars, while the minimum occurred in 2019 at 838.8 million US dollars. Between 2017 and 2020, production decreased by 2.8%, translating to an annualized rate of 0.9%. The largest decline was observed in 2019, with a drop of 7.2%.

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

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Italy's production of printed paper or paperboard labels increased for the second consecutive year. In 2020, the country produced 67,105 tonnes, reflecting a moderate rise of 3.6% from the previous year. The minimum value was recorded in 2018 at 64,246 tonnes, which also saw the largest decline of 16.3%. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production decreased by 12.6%, equating to an annualized rate of 4.4%.

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

Exports printed labels of paper or paperboard from Italy

Exports in kind, t

After a two-year rise, Italy's cross-border shipments of printed paper or paperboard labels declined. In 2020, exports totaled 14,606 tonnes, showing a slight fall of 0.7% compared to the previous year. The maximum value was recorded in 2019 at 14,715 tonnes, which also experienced the largest increase of 9.2%. Between 2017 and 2020, exports increased by 10.1%, corresponding to an annualized rate of 3.3%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Italy's exports of printed paper or paperboard labels in kind were highly diversified. France accounted for 21.5% of exports, Germany for 13.0%, and the United Kingdom for 9.7%, together making up only 44.2% of total flows. The remaining 55.8% was distributed among a long tail of smaller markets.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

Italy's foreign supplies of printed paper or paperboard labels declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, exports amounted to 188.3 million US dollars, reflecting a slight decline of 1.5% from 2019. The maximum value was recorded in 2018 at 191.2 million US dollars, which also saw the largest increase of 7.1%. Between 2017 and 2020, exports increased by 5.5%, equating to an annualized rate of 1.8%.

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

Over the period from 2017 to 2020, Italy's exports of printed paper or paperboard labels in value terms showed a broad spread across markets. France represented 21.6% of exports, Germany 12.2%, and the United Kingdom 9.8%, together accounting for only 43.6% of total flows.

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

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

Imports printed labels of paper or paperboard to Italy

Imports in kind, t

Italy's imports of foreign printed paper or paperboard labels increased for the second consecutive year. In 2020, imports reached 15,580 tonnes, equivalent to a controlled rise of 7.1% from the previous year. The minimum value was recorded in 2018 at 13,273 tonnes, which also experienced the largest decline of 50.2%. The largest increase occurred in 2019 at 9.6%. Between 2017 and 2020, imports decreased by 41.5%, translating to an annualized rate of 16.4%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Germany stood out as the main market for Italy's imports in kind, accounting for 24.9%, followed by the Netherlands at 22.7% and the United Kingdom at 17.3%. Together, these three markets represented 65.0% of total import flows.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

Italy's imports of printed paper or paperboard labels from abroad declined for the third consecutive year. In 2020, imports totaled 85.4 million US dollars, reflecting a significant decline of 10.5% from the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, imports decreased by 17.4%, equating to an annualized rate of 6.2%.

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

In the period from 2017 to 2020, Germany formed the main cluster for Italy's imports in value terms, accounting for 31.1%, with France at 10.4% and China at 9.0%. Together, these markets represented 50.5% of total import flows.

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

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