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

Earlier Report Observations

From 2018 to 2022, the Italian market for wooden cases, boxes, crates, drums and similar packings showed considerable volatility. Market volume grew from 728 thousand tonnes in 2018 to 800 thousand tonnes in 2019, then dropped to 674 thousand tonnes in 2020. A sharp rebound followed in 2021, lifting the market to 1 057 thousand tonnes, before it settled at 801 thousand tonnes in 2022.

In 2023, production fell by approximately 30% to 560 thousand tonnes, with market volume dropping to 564 thousand tonnes. This decline was primarily driven by increased competition from Chinese manufacturers, which reduced demand for Italian-made wooden industrial packaging.

The market recovered in 2024, with production rising to 742 thousand tonnes and market volume reaching 746 thousand tonnes. Italian producers countered competitive pressures by focusing on customized, high-quality packing solutions and emphasizing the recyclability and sustainability of wood as a packaging material.

Production wooden packing cases and drums in Italy

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Italy's production of wooden cases, boxes, crates, drums, and similar packings and cable-drums declined for the third consecutive year. In 2020, output was valued at 630 M $ US, marking a 7.2% decrease from the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production fell by 49.2%, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of -20.2%.

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

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

In 2020, Italy produced 683 K t of wooden cases, boxes, crates, drums, and similar packings and cable-drums, showing a substantial decrease of 15.4% compared to the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, production declined by 42.9%, with a CAGR of -17.0%. The largest decline occurred in 2018, at 38.6%, while the largest increase was recorded in 2019, at 9.8%.

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

Exports wooden packing cases and drums from Italy

Exports in kind, t

Italy's export volume of wooden cases, boxes, crates, drums, and similar packings and cable-drums declined for the third consecutive year. In 2020, exports totaled 19 459 t, which is 0.7% lower than in 2019. From 2017 to 2020, exports decreased by 5%, with a CAGR of -1.7%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the United States (21.3% of exports in kind), Switzerland (15.0%), and Germany (13.4%) were among the largest buyers of these products from Italy. However, together they represented just 49.8% of total exports in kind, indicating a broadly diversified partner base.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

After a two-year gain, Italy's cross-border shipments of wooden cases, boxes, crates, drums, and similar packings and cable-drums declined. In 2020, exports came to 32 842 K $ US, reflecting a moderate decline of 9.9% compared to 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, exports increased by 4.5%, equating to an annualized rate of 1.5%. The maximum value was recorded in 2019 at 36 454 K $ US, while the largest increase occurred in 2018 at 13.2%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the geographical structure of exports in value terms was highly diversified. Germany (13.3% of exports in value terms), Switzerland (13.2%), and Belgium (11.8%) together accounted for only 38.3% of total flows, with the remaining 61.7% distributed among numerous smaller partner countries.

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

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

Imports wooden packing cases and drums to Italy

Imports in kind, t

Italy's import volume of wooden cases, boxes, crates, drums, and similar packings and cable-drums declined for the third consecutive year. In 2020, imports totaled 19 459 t, amounting to a significant decline of 14.3% compared to 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, imports decreased by 43%, equating to an annualized rate of -17.1%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the country structure of imports in kind was highly diversified. Spain (23.6% of imports in kind), Romania (11.5%), and Poland (10.1%) together accounted for only 45.2% of total flows, with the remaining 54.8% formed by a long tail of smaller markets.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

In 2020, Italy's imports of wooden cases, boxes, crates, drums, and similar packings and cable-drums were recorded at 16 781 K $ US, reflecting a notable decline of 20.9% versus the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, imports decreased by 31.9%, equating to an annualized rate of -12.0%. The largest increase was recorded in 2019 at 7.8%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, imports in value terms were distributed across a wide set of partner countries. Spain (22.1% of imports in value terms), Romania (15.8%), and Poland (9.5%) jointly accounted for just 47.4% of total flows.

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

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