Toilet paper, tissues and towels market in Poland

Earlier Report Observations

Between 2018 and 2020, Polish production of toilet paper and tissues rose from 699 000 t to 738 000 t. This was driven by growing demand from the HoReCa sector for disposable paper goods and, in 2019, by lower pulp costs from Russia coupled with capacity expansions such as the Głuchołaskie Zakłady Papiernicze plant in Nysa. The outbreak of COVID‑19 in 2020 further boosted consumption of hygiene items, although market volume dipped marginally due to increased exports.

After the pandemic, output continued to climb, reaching 819 000 t in 2022. The post‑pandemic recovery and strong export performance pushed production higher in 2021. However, the war in Ukraine triggered sharp cost increases for raw materials, energy and logistics, leading to steep retail price rises for toilet paper in 2022. Despite high energy costs that dampened overall paper production in 2023, the hygiene segment remained stable, with consumption of tissue and towel products holding firm.

In 2024, production advanced to 897 000 t, supported by record financial results at Polish paper mills and ongoing investments in new production lines, such as those by Grigeo Group. Upcoming EU sustainability regulations on wood sourcing also began to influence procurement strategies.

Production toilet paper, tissues and towels in Poland

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Poland's production of toilet paper, tissues, and towels has increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, the output value remained virtually unchanged at 1 142 million US dollars compared to 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production grew by 15.5%, which translates to an annualized rate of 4.9%.

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

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Production of toilet paper, tissues, and towels in Poland has risen for the third year in a row. In 2020, Poland produced 738.1 thousand tonnes, marking a 0.8% increase from 2019. From 2017 to 2020, production expanded by 8.3%, averaging a 2.7% annual growth rate.

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

Exports toilet paper, tissues and towels from Poland

Exports in kind, K t

Poland's exports of toilet paper, tissues, and towels have grown for the third consecutive year. In 2020, exports totaled 340.2 thousand tonnes, representing a 5.1% uptick from 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, exports increased by 13.7%, with an annualized rate of 4.4%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the leading destinations for Poland's exports of toilet paper, tissues, and towels in kind were Germany, accounting for 60.5% of exports, followed by Czechia at 10.5%, and the United Kingdom at 4.9%. Together, these three countries made up 75.9% of total export flows.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

Shipments of toilet paper, tissues, and towels from Poland to abroad have increased for the third year in a row. In 2020, exports reached 529.6 million US dollars, up by 1.8% compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports rose by 26.5%, equating to an 8.1% annualized growth rate.

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

Throughout 2017-2020, the three largest markets for Poland's exports in value terms were Germany, Czechia, and the United Kingdom, which together accounted for 72.3% of total flows.

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

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

Imports toilet paper, tissues and towels to Poland

Imports in kind, K t

Imports of toilet paper, tissues, and towels into Poland have declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, imports tallied 65.1 thousand tonnes, showing no significant change from the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, imports increased by 7.4%, with an annualized rate of 2.4%. The peak was recorded in 2018 at 65.6 thousand tonnes, which also saw the largest increase of 8.2%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the three largest sources for Poland's imports in kind were Germany, Italy, and Slovakia, which together comprised 67.3% of total import flows.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

Imports of toilet paper, tissues, and towels into Poland have decreased for the second year in a row. In 2020, Poland imported approximately 109.8 million US dollars worth, marking a 5.2% drop from the prior year. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports grew by 7.6%, averaging a 2.5% annual rate. The highest value was in 2018 at 117.1 million US dollars, with the largest increase of 14.7% also occurring that year.

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

During 2017-2020, Germany was the main supplier of toilet paper, tissues, and towels to Poland in value terms, contributing 35.7% of imports, followed by Italy at 17.7%, and Slovakia at 15.3%. Collectively, these three countries made up 68.7% of total imports in value terms.

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

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