The U.S. sacks and bags market is poised for a slow but steady increase, with key forecasts signaling a growth in volume and value as consumption trends evolve over the next decade. According to a report published by IndexBox, the market is expected to rise to 411,000 tons by 2035, growing at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 0.1%. Similarly, market value is projected to climb to $1.3 billion, reflecting a 0.8% annual growth rate during the same period.
Market Trends and Consumption Insights
In 2024, the total consumption of sacks and bags reached 405,000 tons, marking a notable increase of 2.7% compared to 2023. This figure represents the highest consumption level recorded since 2013, with a consistent average annual growth rate of 1.4% over the past decade. The peak growth rate came in 2021, when consumption surged 4.2%. However, the industry’s overall market value slightly dropped to $1.2 billion in 2024, remaining steady after previous fluctuations and stabilizing from 2023 levels.
This market is partly shaped by external influences, notably the heavy reliance on imports which accounted for a significant portion of total consumption. In 2024, domestic production of sacks and bags fell to 187,000 tons, a decline of 10.5% from the previous year. Despite this downturn, the production value retracted to $1.7 billion, indicating an overall expansion from 2013 to 2024, which saw growth at an average annual rate of 3.3%.
Dependence on Imports
Imports of sacks and bags into the United States demonstrated a remarkable jump, increasing to approximately 237,000 tons in 2024—an uptick of 14% from the previous year. The import volume has also steadily grown, averaging a 3.4% annual increase since 2013. Value-wise, imports rose to $695 million, although they failed to regain their peak recorded at $821 million in 2022.
Major Import Sources
India stands out as the dominant supplier, providing 129,000 tons in 2024, which translates to a 54% share of U.S. imports. China follows, contributing 43,000 tons, while Mexico accounts for 14,000 tons of total imports. When considering value, India also leads with import value achieving $300 million, followed by Mexico at $101 million and China at $96 million. Notably, the growth rate for imports from India registered at 10.6% annually from 2013 to 2024, while China and Mexico showed slower rates.
Pricing Dynamics
In terms of pricing, the average import price for sacks and bags was recorded at $2,936 per ton in 2024—a slight decrease of 3.1% from the previous year. Comparative pricing shows significant discrepancies; exports fetched an average price of $9,318 per ton, over three times higher than imports. Mexico represented the highest average import price at $7,111, against China’s lower average of $2,276.
U.S. Exports on the Decline
Meanwhile, the U.S. faced a decline in exports, which totaled 19,000 tons in 2024, a reduction of 15.3% following a period of growth. The overall trend in exports has shown slight fluctuations over the past eleven years, with an average annual growth rate of 1.8%. However, the volume has dropped significantly from its peak of 25,000 tons in 2022.
In terms of value, U.S. exports fell to $175 million, following a peak of $206 million in 2022. Mexico emerged as the primary destination for these exports, receiving 9,200 tons—accounting for 49% of total U.S. sack and bag exports—followed by Canada and the Dominican Republic.
Price Trends in Exports
The export market revealed a contrasting trend with export prices increasing to $9,318 per ton in 2024, reflecting a 3.6% uptick from the previous year. The growth trend in export pricing over the past eleven years indicates a significant appreciation, with the peak noted in 2024, when compared against earlier periods.
In conclusion, despite the challenges posed by declining domestic production and export volumes, the U.S. sacks and bags market seems to be on a trajectory of modest growth driven largely by import reliance and evolving consumption patterns expected over the coming years.
