Overview Cotton Bag Market
The European Union’s market for cotton sacks and Cotton Bag is on a steady path towards growth, with consumption projected to rise from 18,000 tons in 2024 to 22,000 tons by 2035. This growth comes after a period of fluctuating consumption levels, with Italy leading the charge as both the largest consumer and producer in the region, while France emerges as a significant player in imports and exports.
Consumption Trends in the EU Cotton Bag Market
In 2024, the consumption of sacks and bags made from cotton in the European Union experienced a decrease of 4.4%, amounting to 18,000 tons. This continued a trend of lower consumption following three years of growth, affecting both the quantity and market value. Despite this dip, the overall consumption trends suggest a resilient long-term trajectory for the market.
Previously, the peak consumption reached 31,000 tons, and while there has been a setback, the growth pattern remains strong over time. The total market value in 2024 was approximately $320 million, reflecting total revenues from producers and importers, and this figure closely mirrored that of the previous year.
Country-Specific Consumption Figures
When examining consumption by country, Italy dominates the market with a staggering 7,700 tons consumed in 2024, which accounts for 43% of all EU consumption. Germany follows with 2,500 tons, and France ranks third at 1,800 tons, reflecting a consumption share of 10%.
Italian consumption has enjoyed a robust average annual growth rate of 13% from 2013 to 2024. In comparison, Germany’s consumption grew at 5.3% per year, while France’s increased by 11.9%. In terms of value, Italy leads the EU market for cotton bags at $124 million, significantly outpacing Germany’s $43 million and France’s figures.
Notably, per capita consumption is highest in Italy, at 130 kg per 1,000 people, followed by Hungary at 89 kg and Portugal at 40 kg. This data underscores Italy’s central role in the cotton bag market.
Production Analysis
The production of cotton sacks and bags within the EU saw a notable increase in 2024, expanding to 15,000 tons—an 11% increase compared to the previous year. Historically significant, the production volume experienced its most marked rise in 2018 with a 124% increase, indicating a robust upward trend despite lower growth rates observed in recent years. In value terms, the production was valued at $284 million in 2024, indicating a resilient pattern of growth despite the fluctuations.
Key Producing Countries
Italy stands as the largest producer of cotton sacks and bags in the EU, generating 6,700 tons, which represents approximately 45% of total production. Germany, at 2,000 tons, and Poland with 1,200 tons, follow distantly. In terms of annual growth from 2013 to 2024, Italy experienced an average increase of 11.3%, while Germany and Poland offered growth rates of 4% and 6.7%, respectively.
Import Dynamics in the Market
Imports of cotton sacks and bags in the EU encountered a significant decline of 21.9% in 2024, totaling 6,400 tons, marking the second consecutive year of reduced imports after a decade of continuous growth. Despite this decrease, imports had previously shown promising signs, peaking at 8,300 tons in 2022. In monetary terms, imports fell to $96 million, significantly lower than the $114 million recorded in 2023.
Leading Importing Countries
France and Italy were the two largest importers, collectively accounting for 54% of total imports, with France alone importing 1,900 tons and Italy importing 1,500 tons. Spain followed with an 11% share at 714 tons, while Germany accounted for 9.5% of total imports.
Growth in cotton bag imports from 2013 to 2024 was most pronounced in Spain, with a CAGR of 25.5%, while other leading countries experienced more modest growth rates. Value-wise, France remains the largest market for imports at $40 million, followed by Italy at $19 million and Spain at $9.7 million.
Fluctuating Import Prices
The average import price for cotton bags in the EU rose by 7.5% in 2024, reaching $15,001 per ton. Over the past 11 years, the average annual increase was relatively stable at 2.2%. Notably, France recorded the highest prices among major importing countries at $20,838 per ton, while Romania maintained one of the lowest rates at $8,034 per ton.
Export Overview
On a brighter note, exports of cotton sacks and bags from the EU rebounded in 2024 after two years of decline, witnessing a notable 20% increase to 3,300 tons. The overall growth trend for exports remains encouraging, with notable peak growth in 2021 at 70% compared to the previous year. In value terms, the total exports surged to $63 million in 2024, reflecting a new high in the market’s export performance.
Major Exporting Countries
The Netherlands emerged as the largest exporter of cotton sacks and bags at 931 tons, followed by Italy at 531 tons, and France at 417 tons. Together, these three countries accounted for around 85% of the total exports, while several others, including Portugal and Spain, contributed smaller amounts.
In terms of value, the leading exporters in 2024 included France with $16 million, followed closely by Italy at $14 million and the Netherlands at $12 million. Portugal notably exhibited the highest growth rates at 31.3% during this period.
Export Pricing Trends
The export price for cotton sacks and bags in the EU was $19,041 per ton in 2024, marking a decrease of 3.6% from the previous year. Despite this drop, the overall trend reflects a slight expansion in export prices, with peaks witnessed in recent years. France had the highest export prices at $38,332 per ton, contrasting sharply with the lower-end values seen in countries like Spain at $4,457 per ton.
Conclusion
As the European Union’s market for cotton sacks and bags evolves, key players like Italy and France will continue to shape its trajectory, marked by a clear path towards growth despite recent setbacks.`
