Wooden cases, boxes, crates, drums and similar packings and cable-drums market in Denmark

Earlier Report Observations

The Danish market for wooden packing cases, boxes, crates, drums and cable drums experienced notable shifts between 2018 and 2025. After a contraction in 2019, market volume recovered strongly in 2020 and 2021, exceeding 18 000 t. This growth phase aligned with the continued expansion and consolidation of the market leader, Dansk Træemballage (DTE), which actively acquired local sawmills and packaging factories to strengthen its production capacity and market position.

Market volume reached a peak of 19 413 t in 2022, a period marked by DTE's strategic acquisitions of Industripaller AS and Glomma Pall AS, supported by a significant capital investment from Kirk Kapital. Subsequently, the market entered a decline, falling to 15 151 t by 2024. This downturn was driven by new regulatory pressures, including stricter import rules for wooden packaging from third countries requiring sanitary documentation and the progressive implementation of extended producer responsibility (EPR) for packaging, which increased operational costs and administrative burdens for manufacturers ahead of its full enforcement in October 2025.

Production wooden packing cases and drums in Denmark

In value, 2018-2021, K $ US

Denmark's production of wooden cases, boxes, crates, drums, and similar packings and cable-drums has increased for the second year in a row. In 2021, the output was valued at 36 040 K $ US, marking a 55.0% rise compared to 2020. Over the period from 2018 to 2021, production grew by 58.7%, with an average annual growth rate of 16.6%. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 20 278 K $ US, which also saw the largest decline of 10.7%.

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

In kind, 2018-2021, t

Denmark's production volume of wooden cases, boxes, crates, drums, and similar packings and cable-drums has risen for the second consecutive year. In 2021, 10 221 tonnes were produced, representing a 39.7% increase year-over-year. From 2018 to 2021, production expanded by 60.7%, with a compound annual growth rate of 17.1%. The minimum volume was in 2019 at 5 371 tonnes, which also experienced the largest decline of 15.6%.

Annual dynamics of production in Denmark in kind, 2018-2021, t

Exports wooden packing cases and drums from Denmark

Exports in kind, t

In 2021, Denmark exported 1 841 tonnes of wooden cases, boxes, crates, drums, and similar packings and cable-drums, up by 2.3% from the previous year. Between 2018 and 2021, exports grew by 14.5%, equivalent to an annualized rate of 4.6%. The peak volume was in 2019 at 2 337 tonnes, which saw the largest increase of 45.4%. The largest decline occurred in 2020, with a drop of 23.0%.

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

From 2018 to 2021, three key markets—Sweden, Qatar, and Germany—collectively accounted for 52.8% of Denmark's total exports in kind of wooden cases, boxes, crates, drums, and similar packings and cable-drums.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

In 2021, the value of wooden cases, boxes, crates, drums, and similar packings and cable-drums exported from Denmark reached 7 148 K $ US, a 34.1% increase from the previous year. Between 2018 and 2021, exports rose by 43.2%, translating to an annualized growth rate of 12.7%. The largest decline was recorded in 2020, with a decrease of 17.8%.

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

During 2018–2021, Sweden, Norway, and Germany were the main markets for Denmark's exports in value terms, with shares of 38.6%, 8.0%, and 7.0%, respectively. Together, they represented 53.7% of total export flows.

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

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

Imports wooden packing cases and drums to Denmark

Imports in kind, t

Denmark's imports of wooden cases, boxes, crates, drums, and similar packings and cable-drums have increased for the second year in a row. In 2021, imports totaled 10 337 tonnes, up by 21.5% compared to 2020. Over the period from 2018 to 2021, imports surged by 73.7%, with an average annual growth rate of 20.2%. The lowest volume was in 2019 at 5 876 tonnes, which saw a decline of 1.2%. The largest increase occurred in 2020, with a jump of 44.8%.

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

From 2018 to 2021, three principal markets—Germany, Poland, and Estonia—together made up 56.7% of Denmark's total imports in kind of wooden cases, boxes, crates, drums, and similar packings and cable-drums.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

Denmark's imports of wooden cases, boxes, crates, drums, and similar packings and cable-drums have grown for the second consecutive year. In 2021, imports amounted to 18 666 K $ US, a 44.7% increase from 2020. Between 2018 and 2021, imports expanded by 79.6%, with a compound annual growth rate of 21.5%. The minimum value was recorded in 2019 at 10 031 K $ US, which also experienced the largest decline of 3.5%.

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

Over 2018–2021, Germany, Estonia, and Poland were the leading markets for Denmark's imports in value terms, with shares of 21.4%, 18.7%, and 14.5%, respectively. Combined, they accounted for 54.7% of total import flows.

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

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