Sacks and bags for packing of goods market in Russia

Earlier Report Observations

The Russian market for sacks and bags for packing goods underwent a significant shift away from single-use plastic bags starting in 2018, driven by consumer trends toward sustainability and retailer initiatives like X5 Retail Group ending free plastic bag distribution. This was accompanied by rising investment in corrugated cardboard and paper packaging production. The market's value grew into 2019, and despite a dip in 2020, demand for eco-friendly packaging spurred a notable increase in paper sack and bag output. By 2021, paper bag production nearly doubled, supported by tighter regulation on non-recyclable plastics and the launch of new production capacities.

Regulatory pressure on plastic continued through 2022, with paper bag production reaching a record 4.6 billion pieces. Sanctions and import substitution policies further stimulated domestic packaging manufacturing, solidifying Segezha Group's leadership in paper packaging. In 2023, the plastic bag segment still saw volume growth, but the overarching trend favored paper alternatives. However, by 2024, both production and total market value contracted significantly, leading to a period of stabilization in 2025.

Production sacks and bags for packing of goods in Russia

In value, 2018-2021, K $ US

In 2021, Russia's production of sacks and bags for packing goods was valued at 57 367 thousand US dollars, representing a 24.7% increase from the previous year. Over the period from 2018 to 2021, production grew by 59.8%, with a compound annual growth rate of 16.9%. The largest increase occurred in 2019 at 30.5%, while the largest decline was recorded in 2020 at 1.8%.

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

Exports sacks and bags for packing of goods from Russia

Exports in kind, t

After two consecutive years of growth, Russia's exports of sacks and bags for packing goods declined in 2021. The export volume reached 15 358 tonnes, marking a slight decrease of 2.6% compared to the previous year. Between 2018 and 2021, exports increased by 59.5%, equating to an annualized growth rate of 16.8%. The highest volume was recorded in 2020 at 15 776 tonnes, with the largest increase occurring in 2019 at 44.9%.

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

From 2018 to 2021, Kazakhstan, France, and Belarus formed the core of Russia's exports of sacks and bags for packing goods in volume terms. Kazakhstan accounted for 30.6% of exports, France for 20.0%, and Belarus for 10.3%. Together, these three countries represented 61.0% of total export flows.

Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's exports from Russia in kind, 2018-2021

Exports in value, M $ US

Russia's exports of sacks and bags for packing goods increased for the third consecutive year in 2021. Export value totaled 48.3 million US dollars, reflecting a strong improvement of 20.8% compared to 2020. Over the period from 2018 to 2021, exports grew by 86.7%, with a compound annual growth rate of 23.1%.

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

Between 2018 and 2021, Kazakhstan, France, and Belarus were the main markets for Russia's exports of sacks and bags for packing goods in value terms. Kazakhstan accounted for 28.6% of exports, France for 21.1%, and Belarus for 9.3%. Collectively, these three countries held a 59.1% share of total export flows.

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

World map of product's exports from Russia in value, 2018-2021

Imports sacks and bags for packing of goods to Russia

Imports in kind, t

In 2021, Russia's imports of sacks and bags for packing goods amounted to 69 483 tonnes, showing a moderate increase of 4.7% compared to 2020. Between 2018 and 2021, imports grew by 19.4%, equating to an annualized growth rate of 6.1%. The highest volume was recorded in 2019 at 71 609 tonnes, with the largest increase that year at 23.0%. The largest decline occurred in 2020 at 7.3%.

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

From 2018 to 2021, three main markets—China, Vietnam, and Kazakhstan—together absorbed 66.5% of Russia's total imports of sacks and bags for packing goods in volume terms.

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

World map of product's imports to Russia in kind, 2018-2021

Imports in value, M $ US

In 2021, Russia imported approximately 140.7 million US dollars worth of sacks and bags for packing goods, which is 13.3% more than the previous year. Over the period from 2018 to 2021, imports increased by 25.9%, with a compound annual growth rate of 8.0%. The largest increase was recorded in 2019 at 17.0%, while the largest decline occurred in 2020 at 5.0%.

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

Throughout 2018 to 2021, three largest markets—China, Azerbaijan, and Vietnam—remained central to Russia's imports of sacks and bags for packing goods in value terms, together accounting for 67.4% of total import flows.

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

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