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

Earlier Report Observations

The wooden packaging market in Ireland experienced a sustained decline in physical volume from 2018 to 2024. Market size fell from 6 916 tonnes in 2018 to 2 839 tonnes in 2024, a reduction of more than half over the period. The most pronounced drop occurred between 2021 and 2023, when volume contracted from 5 269 tonnes to 3 393 tonnes.

In value terms, the market showed a different pattern. From 2021 to 2022, the market's value increased from 10.1 million USD to 16.6 million USD, suggesting a significant rise in prices or a shift toward higher-value products. Subsequently, the value declined to 12.9 million USD in 2024 but remained above the 2021 level despite lower physical volumes.

This volume contraction was driven by falling domestic production and imports. Production decreased from 3 649 tonnes in 2019 to 1 915 tonnes in 2024, while imports dropped from 4 127 tonnes in 2022 to 1 092 tonnes in 2024. Exports remained relatively modest but saw a notable increase in value in 2024.

Production wooden packing cases and drums in Ireland

In kind, 2017-2020, t

In 2020, Ireland produced 2,604 tonnes of wooden cases, boxes, crates, drums, and similar packings and cable-drums, marking a 28.6% decrease compared to the previous year. Production declined by 26.5% between 2017 and 2020, which translates to an annualized rate of 9.7%. The highest production level was recorded in 2019 at 3,649 tonnes, with the largest year-on-year increase of 9.9% also occurring that year.

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

Exports wooden packing cases and drums from Ireland

Exports in kind, t

Export volumes showed significant volatility during this period. The lowest point was in 2018 at 51 tonnes, while exports peaked in 2020 at 243 tonnes, representing a 145.0% increase from the previous year. The gap between these years was 4.7-fold. The largest decline of 6.0% was recorded in 2018.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the United Kingdom, Germany, and the United States were the main destinations for Ireland's exports of wooden cases, boxes, crates, drums, and similar packings and cable-drums. The United Kingdom accounted for 37.8% of exports in kind, Germany for 20.2%, and the United States for 12.8%, together making up 70.8% of total exports.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

Export values exhibited irregular changes, reflecting a volatile market environment. The lowest value was recorded in 2018 at 527 thousand US dollars, while the peak occurred in 2017, with a 6.7-fold difference between these years. In 2020, exports reached 1,265 thousand US dollars, a 109.7% increase from the prior year. The largest decline of 85.2% was also in 2018.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Germany and the United Kingdom dominated Ireland's export value for wooden cases, boxes, crates, drums, and similar packings and cable-drums. Germany contributed 50.8% of total flows, while the United Kingdom accounted for 35.1%, together forming 85.9% of total exports in value terms, with other partners making up the remainder.

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

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

Imports wooden packing cases and drums to Ireland

Imports in kind, t

In 2020, Ireland's import volume of wooden cases, boxes, crates, drums, and similar packings and cable-drums amounted to 3,565 tonnes, a 12.4% increase from the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, imports grew by 23%, equating to an annualized rate of 7.1%. The highest import volume was in 2018 at 3,648 tonnes, with the largest increase of 25.9% recorded that year, while the largest decline of 13.0% occurred in 2019.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the United Kingdom, Italy, and Germany were the leading sources for Ireland's imports of wooden cases, boxes, crates, drums, and similar packings and cable-drums in kind. The United Kingdom represented 59.2% of imports, Italy 11.9%, and Germany 10.3%, jointly accounting for 81.5% of total flows.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

Imports of wooden cases, boxes, crates, drums, and similar packings and cable-drums in value terms declined for the second consecutive year in Ireland. In 2020, the import volume stood at 3,833 thousand US dollars, a moderate decrease of 7.2% from the year before. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports increased by 14.3%, with a compound annual growth rate of 4.5%. The peak value was recorded in 2018 at 4,177 thousand US dollars, which also saw the largest increase of 24.5%.

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

Throughout 2017 to 2020, the United Kingdom, the Netherlands, and Italy formed the core of Ireland's import value for wooden cases, boxes, crates, drums, and similar packings and cable-drums. The United Kingdom accounted for 57.7% of imports in value terms, the Netherlands for 12.2%, and Italy for 7.2%, together taking 77.1% of total flows.

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

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