Wooden Case and Box Market

The global market for wooden case and box packing is projected to experience steady growth in both volume and value terms from 2022 to 2030. Consumption trends show an increase in demand, with a forecasted CAGR of +2.1% in volume and +1.8% in value. Top consuming countries include China, the United States, and Italy. Production and imports are on the rise, with Germany and Poland leading the way. Export prices are also increasing, with Germany and the United States standing out as key exporters. Overall, the market is expected to continue growing in the near future.

Market Forecast

Driven by increasing demand for packing cases, boxes and similar packings worldwide, the market is expected to continue an upward consumption trend over the next eight years. Market performance is forecast to decelerate, expanding with an anticipated CAGR of +2.1% for the period from 2022 to 2030, which is projected to bring the market volume to 5.7B units by the end of 2030.

In value terms, the market is forecast to increase with an anticipated CAGR of +1.8% for the period from 2022 to 2030, which is projected to bring the market value to $1,646.7B (in nominal prices) by the end of 2030.

Consumption

World Consumption of Packing Cases, Boxes And Similar Packings

In 2022, approx. 4.8B units of packing cases, boxes and similar packings were consumed worldwide; with an increase of 2.8% against 2021 figures. The total consumption volume increased at an average annual rate of +3.0% over the period from 2012 to 2022; however, the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Over the period under review, global consumption hit record highs at 5B units in 2020; however, from 2021 to 2022, consumption remained at a lower figure.

The global wooden case and box market revenue stood at $1,425.4B in 2022, picking up by 4.5% against the previous year. This figure reflects the total revenues of producers and importers (excluding logistics costs, retail marketing costs, and retailers' margins, which will be included in the final consumer price). The market value increased at an average annual rate of +2.7% over the period from 2012 to 2022; however, the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded in certain years. Global consumption peaked at $1,469.2B in 2020; however, from 2021 to 2022, consumption stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Consumption By Country

The country with the largest volume of wooden case and box consumption was China (928M units), comprising approx. 19% of total volume. Moreover, wooden case and box consumption in China exceeded the figures recorded by the second-largest consumer, the United States (405M units), twofold. The third position in this ranking was held by Italy (199M units), with a 4.1% share.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual rate of growth in terms of volume in China stood at +4.8%. The remaining consuming countries recorded the following average annual rates of consumption growth: the United States (+1.5% per year) and Italy (+8.4% per year).

In value terms, Pakistan ($1,209.4B) led the market, alone. The second position in the ranking was held by the United States ($14.6B). It was followed by Nigeria.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual rate of growth in terms of value in Pakistan totaled +2.7%. The remaining consuming countries recorded the following average annual rates of market growth: the United States (+1.4% per year) and Nigeria (+8.4% per year).

In 2022, the highest levels of wooden case and box per capita consumption was registered in Italy (3,358 units per 1000 persons), followed by the United States (1,210 units per 1000 persons), Bangladesh (796 units per 1000 persons) and Ethiopia (750 units per 1000 persons), while the world average per capita consumption of wooden case and box was estimated at 8.2 units per 1000 persons.

In Italy, wooden case and box per capita consumption increased at an average annual rate of +8.5% over the period from 2012-2022. In the other countries, the average annual rates were as follows: the United States (+0.8% per year) and Bangladesh (+1.9% per year).

Production

World Production of Packing Cases, Boxes And Similar Packings

Global wooden case and box production was estimated at 5.3B units in 2022, picking up by 1.6% compared with 2021. The total output volume increased at an average annual rate of +3.9% from 2012 to 2022; however, the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded in certain years. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2017 with an increase of 25%. Over the period under review, global production hit record highs in 2022 and is expected to retain growth in the near future.

In value terms, wooden case and box production expanded slightly to $1,377.7B in 2022 estimated in export price. The total output value increased at an average annual rate of +2.6% from 2012 to 2022; however, the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2019 when the production volume increased by 33%. Over the period under review, global production hit record highs at $1,428.6B in 2020; however, from 2021 to 2022, production stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Production By Country

China (938M units) remains the largest wooden case and box producing country worldwide, comprising approx. 18% of total volume. Moreover, wooden case and box production in China exceeded the figures recorded by the second-largest producer, the United States (398M units), twofold. Germany (326M units) ranked third in terms of total production with a 6.1% share.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual growth rate of volume in China stood at +4.8%. The remaining producing countries recorded the following average annual rates of production growth: the United States (+1.6% per year) and Germany (+2.0% per year).

Imports

World Imports of Packing Cases, Boxes And Similar Packings

In 2022, global imports of packing cases, boxes and similar packings soared to 437M units, jumping by 16% compared with the previous year. Over the period under review, imports continue to indicate a buoyant increase. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2021 when imports increased by 31%. Global imports peaked in 2022 and are expected to retain growth in the near future.

In value terms, wooden case and box imports skyrocketed to $7.4B in 2022. In general, imports continue to indicate resilient growth. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2021 with an increase of 41% against the previous year. Over the period under review, global imports hit record highs in 2022 and are expected to retain growth in years to come.

Imports By Country

The Netherlands (46M units), Italy (34M units), the United States (32M units), Belgium (32M units), France (30M units), Poland (22M units), Germany (21M units), Luxembourg (19M units), Austria (18M units), Sweden (15M units), the UK (15M units) and Denmark (11M units) represented roughly 67% of total imports in 2022. Singapore (11M units) took a relatively small share of total imports.

From 2012 to 2022, the biggest increases were recorded for Poland (with a CAGR of +152.1%), while purchases for the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, Germany ($1.2B) constitutes the largest market for imported packing cases, boxes and similar packings worldwide, comprising 16% of global imports. The second position in the ranking was taken by France ($534M), with a 7.3% share of global imports. It was followed by the United States, with a 7.2% share.

In Germany, wooden case and box imports increased at an average annual rate of +8.8% over the period from 2012-2022. In the other countries, the average annual rates were as follows: France (+7.9% per year) and the United States (+5.2% per year).

Import Prices By Country

The average wooden case and box import price stood at $17 per unit in 2022, increasing by 5.1% against the previous year. Overall, the import price, however, saw a noticeable descent. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2013 an increase of 8.3% against the previous year. As a result, import price attained the peak level of $22 per unit. From 2014 to 2022, the average import prices remained at a lower figure.

There were significant differences in the average prices amongst the major importing countries. In 2022, amid the top importers, the country with the highest price was Germany ($57 per unit), while Luxembourg ($1.6 per unit) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Sweden (+6.2%), while the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Exports

World Exports of Packing Cases, Boxes And Similar Packings

For the third consecutive year, the global market recorded growth in shipments abroad of packing cases, boxes and similar packings, which increased by 1.4% to 927M units in 2022. Over the period under review, exports saw a strong increase. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2015 when exports increased by 78%. Over the period under review, the global exports reached the maximum in 2022 and are likely to continue growth in years to come.

In value terms, wooden case and box exports skyrocketed to $8.2B in 2022. Overall, exports showed a remarkable increase. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2021 with an increase of 44%. The global exports peaked in 2022 and are expected to retain growth in the immediate term.

Exports By Country

In 2022, Germany (299M units) represented the key exporter of packing cases, boxes and similar packings, constituting 32% of total exports. The Czech Republic (133M units) held a 14% share (based on physical terms) of total exports, which put it in second place, followed by Poland (13%). The Netherlands (32M units), Namibia (30M units), the United States (25M units), Latvia (20M units), Belgium (19M units), Ukraine (19M units), Lithuania (19M units) and the UK (17M units) followed a long way behind the leaders.

Exports from Germany increased at an average annual rate of +111.7% from 2012 to 2022. At the same time, Poland (+190.9%), the Czech Republic (+139.5%), Lithuania (+77.1%), Ukraine (+77.0%), Namibia (+22.3%), the United States (+8.0%), the UK (+7.5%), the Netherlands (+2.6%) and Latvia (+2.5%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, Poland emerged as the fastest-growing exporter exported in the world, with a CAGR of +190.9% from 2012-2022. Belgium experienced a relatively flat trend pattern. While the share of Germany (+32 p.p.), the Czech Republic (+14 p.p.), Poland (+13 p.p.), Ukraine (+2 p.p.) and Lithuania (+2 p.p.) increased significantly in terms of the global exports from 2012-2022, the share of the UK (-2.7 p.p.), the United States (-3.7 p.p.), Latvia (-6.5 p.p.), Belgium (-9.2 p.p.) and the Netherlands (-10.1 p.p.) displayed negative dynamics. The shares of the other countries remained relatively stable throughout the analyzed period.

In value terms, Poland ($1.3B) remains the largest wooden case and box supplier worldwide, comprising 16% of global exports. The second position in the ranking was held by Germany ($632M), with a 7.7% share of global exports. It was followed by the United States, with a 6.3% share.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual rate of growth in terms of value in Poland stood at +15.0%. In the other countries, the average annual rates were as follows: Germany (+8.0% per year) and the United States (+6.8% per year).

Export Prices By Country

In 2022, the average wooden case and box export price amounted to $8.8 per unit, with an increase of 19% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the export price, however, showed a abrupt descent. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2014 an increase of 21%. As a result, the export price attained the peak level of $23 per unit. From 2015 to 2022, the average export prices remained at a somewhat lower figure.

There were significant differences in the average prices amongst the major exporting countries. In 2022, amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was the United States ($20 per unit), while Namibia ($0.1 per unit) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by the UK (+8.1%), while the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Market Intelligence Platform