Sacks and bags for packing of goods market in Slovakia

Earlier Report Observations

The market for sacks and bags for packing goods in Slovakia experienced a significant contraction between 2020 and 2022, with the market volume falling from 3 494 t to 1 146 t. This decline was driven by a sharp drop in domestic production from 1 269 t to 654 t and a decrease in imports from 3 308 t to 2 331 t, while exports grew from 1 083 t to 1 839 t, indicating a shift toward external markets. The period from 2018 showed fluctuating import and export levels, with imports reaching 3 165 t in 2018 and exports steadily increasing from 720 t to 1 839 t by 2022.

Legislative preparations in 2023, including a new Consumer Protection Act and amendments to public procurement rules, laid the groundwork for market changes. These regulatory shifts culminated in July 2024 with the enforcement of the new Consumer Protection Act, introducing stricter rules on consumer information and marketing. Concurrently, anticipated VAT changes and stricter European regulations on plastics and packaging began influencing market expectations, coinciding with a rise in imports to 2 529 t and a drop in exports to 1 530 t in 2024 as the market adapted to the new environment.

Market dynamics were further shaped by a growing consumer and regulatory emphasis on ecological and recyclable packaging materials. European Union directives promoting sustainable materials, alongside the rise of e-commerce and digitalization, increased demand for flexible and environmentally friendly packaging solutions, affecting the structure of demand for sacks and bags in Slovakia.

Production sacks and bags for packing of goods in Slovakia

In kind, 2017-2020, t

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

Exports sacks and bags for packing of goods from Slovakia

Exports in kind, t

Exports of sacks and bags for packing goods from Slovakia have increased for the second year in a row. In 2020, exports reached 1,083 tonnes, marking a solid 13.9% rise compared to 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, exports grew by 31.9%, which translates to an annualized rate of 9.7%. The lowest export volume was recorded in 2018 at 720 tonnes, with the largest decline that year of 12.4%. In contrast, the largest increase occurred in 2019, with a jump of 32.1%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the main buyers of sacks and bags for packing goods from Slovakia were Czechia, accounting for 32.6% of exports in kind, Ukraine with 25.4%, and Hungary at 25.3%. Together, these three countries made up 83.3% of Slovakia's total exports in kind during this period.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

The value of exported sacks and bags for packing goods from Slovakia has risen for the second consecutive year. In 2020, exports totaled 6,089 thousand US dollars, showing a 9.1% increase compared to 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, export value grew by 16.2%, with a compound annual growth rate of 5.1%. The lowest value was recorded in 2018 at 3,985 thousand US dollars, which saw the largest decline of 23.9%. The largest increase occurred in 2019, with a surge of 40.0%.

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

In the years 2017 to 2020, Czechia led the structure of exports in value terms with 23.9%, followed by Hungary at 20.2%, and Ukraine with 18.1%. Combined, these three countries represented 62.2% of Slovakia's total export flows in value.

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

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

Imports sacks and bags for packing of goods to Slovakia

Imports in kind, t

After a two-year decline, the volume of sacks and bags for packing goods imported by Slovakia increased in 2020. Slovakia imported 3,308 tonnes that year, indicating a significant gain of 38.7% compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports decreased by 7.7%, with a compound annual growth rate of -2.6%. The lowest import volume was recorded in 2019 at 2,385 tonnes, which also saw the largest decline of 24.7%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the main sources for imports in kind were Czechia, representing 45.1% of imports, Ukraine with 10.3%, and Poland at 8.2%. Together, these markets formed a key cluster, accounting for 63.6% of Slovakia's total import flows in kind.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

Imports of sacks and bags for packing goods into Slovakia declined for the second year in a row. In 2020, Slovakia imported 8,732 thousand US dollars worth of these goods, amounting to a limited reduction of 6.3% compared to the previous year. The highest import value was recorded in 2018 at 10,070 thousand US dollars, which also saw the largest increase of 17.0%. The largest decline occurred in 2019, with a drop of 7.5%.

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

During 2017-2020, the principal destinations for imports in value terms were Czechia, accounting for 39.5% of imports, Ukraine with 10.5%, and the Netherlands at 9.7%. Jointly, these three countries made up 59.7% of Slovakia's total import flows in value.

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

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