-34 % change
Extra-EU imports of CN 63053211 were down 34% in 2025 compared with 2020 (€6.5 million), calculated from Eurostat values.
Eurostat2.5 EUR million
EU exports of CN 63053211 to countries outside the EU were worth €2.5 million in 2025.
Eurostat20.3 EUR million
Trade between EU member states in CN 63053211 (intra-EU arrivals) came to €20.3 million in 2025.
EurostatSource: Eurostat
Why this market is moving now
- Extra-EU import value moved -34% from 2020 to 2025, a direct read on EU demand for sourced supply.
- Supply is concentrated: one country provided a large share of extra-EU imports in 2025.
- US employment in the core industry shifted -1% since 2020.
What this market covers
Large containers such as intermediate bulk containers, bulk bags and bins used to move goods in volume. Chemical, food and farm producers buy them.
Typical segments
- Flexible intermediate bulk containers
- Rigid plastic IBCs
- Bulk bins and boxes
- Liners and sacks
Who buys
- Chemical producers
- Food and agriculture firms
- Logistics firms
Largest non-EU suppliers to the EU
| Country | Import value |
|---|---|
| India | 1.6 EUR million |
| Türkiye | 1.3 EUR million |
| China | 1.0 EUR million |
| Viet Nam | 0.1 EUR million |
| North Macedonia | 0.1 EUR million |
| Serbia | 0.1 EUR million |
Key figures
Each figure links to the page it came from.
| Figure | Value | Year | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| The EU imported €4.3 million of products under CN code 63053211 (Flexible intermediate bulk containers, for the packing of goods, of polyethylene or) from outside the EU in 2025. | 4.3 EUR million | 2025 | Eurostat |
| Extra-EU imports of CN 63053211 were down 34% in 2025 compared with 2020 (€6.5 million), calculated from Eurostat values. | -34 % change | 2025 | Eurostat |
| EU exports of CN 63053211 to countries outside the EU were worth €2.5 million in 2025. | 2.5 EUR million | 2025 | Eurostat |
| Trade between EU member states in CN 63053211 (intra-EU arrivals) came to €20.3 million in 2025. | 20.3 EUR million | 2025 | Eurostat |
| India was the largest non-EU supplier of CN 63053211 to the EU in 2025, with €1.6 million, or 37% of extra-EU imports. | 1.6 EUR million | 2025 | Eurostat |
| EU exports of CN 63053211 to the United States were €272 thousand in 2025. | 272 EUR thousand | 2025 | Eurostat |
| The average value of extra-EU imports of CN 63053211 was €2.64 per kilogram in 2025, calculated from Eurostat value and weight. | 2.64 EUR per kg | 2025 | Eurostat |
| Greece was the largest EU exporter of CN 63053211 to non-EU countries in 2025, at €1.4 million. | 1.4 EUR million | 2025 | Eurostat |
| The EU had 7,513 enterprises in NACE class C2222 (Manufacture of plastic packing goods) in 2023. | 7,513 enterprises | 2023 | Eurostat |
| EU enterprises in NACE class C2222 had net turnover of €69.00 billion in 2023. | 69.00 EUR billion | 2023 | Eurostat |
| NACE class C2222 employed 272,000 people across the EU in 2023. | 272,000 persons employed | 2023 | Eurostat |
| The US had 6,540 private establishments in NAICS 326199 (All other plastics product manufacturing) in 2025. | 6,540 establishments | 2025 | U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics |
| NAICS 326199 employed an average of 287,654 people in US private industry in 2025. | 287,654 jobs | 2025 | U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics |
| US employment in NAICS 326199 changed by -1% between 2020 (289,590 jobs) and 2025, calculated from BLS figures. | -1 % change | 2025 | U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics |
| Average annual pay in US NAICS 326199 was $67,851 in 2025. | 67,851 USD per year | 2025 | U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics |
What the full report covers
- 1
Executive summary
The answer on two pages: size, growth and what drives it.
- 2
Market size and outlook
History, the current year and a five-year view with base, low and high cases.
- 3
Segments and regions
Splits by product, buyer and geography across the US, Europe and MEA.
- 4
Company profiles
The main players, how they compete and where they are investing.
- 5
Data and method
Every figure in Excel, with the sources and assumptions behind it.
- 01Executive summary
The answer in one page: size, direction and what moves it - 02Market definition and scope
What is in and out of the European Union market - 03Market size, 2021 to 2025
Historical series and growth rates - 04Outlook to 2031
Base, low and high scenarios with stated assumptions - 05Rules, policy and deadlines
Regulation and programmes that change demand - 06Drivers and barriers
What accelerates or slows adoption, by customer segment - 07Prices, costs and margins
Unit economics where public data allows - 08Competitive landscape
8 to 12 company profiles with recent moves - 09Opportunities and risks
For new entrants, suppliers and investors - 10Method and sources
Every assumption and source, listed
Included with the full report
- PDF report, 40 to 60 pages
- Excel data pack
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- Method note and assumptions
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Frequently asked questions
How big is the EU bulk container packaging market?
There is no single official market total. Eurostat trade data shows the EU imported €4.3 million of goods under CN 63053211 from outside the EU in 2025 and exported €2.5 million.
Where does the EU import bulk container packaging from?
India was the largest non-EU supplier in 2025. The next largest were Türkiye, China, Viet Nam.
What is the average import price of bulk container packaging in the EU?
Dividing Eurostat import value by weight gives about €2.64 per kilogram for CN 63053211 in 2025.
Which EU countries export the most bulk container packaging?
Greece led EU exports to non-EU countries in 2025, followed by Czechia, Italy.
How many US companies are in the bulk container packaging industry?
BLS counts 6,540 private establishments in NAICS 326199 (All other plastics product manufacturing), the closest official industry.
How many EU companies are in the bulk container packaging industry?
Eurostat counts 7,513 enterprises in NACE class C2222 (Manufacture of plastic packing goods).
Sources and method
The figures on this page come from the public sources listed below. Read how we work.
- Eurostat: EU trade since 1988 by HS2-4-6 and CN8 (DS-045409) (2026-11-04)
DS-045409, reporter EU27_2020, product 63053211, partner EXT_EU27_2020, flow import, 2025, VALUE_IN_EUROS 4296623
- Eurostat: EU trade since 1988 by HS2-4-6 and CN8 (DS-045409) (2026-11-04)
DS-045409, reporter EU27_2020, product 63053211, flow import, 2020 VALUE_IN_EUROS 6521546; 2025 VALUE_IN_EUROS 4296623
- Eurostat: EU trade since 1988 by HS2-4-6 and CN8 (DS-045409) (2026-11-04)
DS-045409, reporter EU27_2020, product 63053211, partner EXT_EU27_2020, flow export, 2025, VALUE_IN_EUROS 2458171
- Eurostat: EU trade since 1988 by HS2-4-6 and CN8 (DS-045409) (2026-11-04)
DS-045409, reporter EU27_2020, product 63053211, partner INT_EU27_2020, flow import, 2025, VALUE_IN_EUROS 20280243
- Eurostat: EU trade since 1988 by HS2-4-6 and CN8 (DS-045409) (2026-11-04)
DS-045409, reporter EU27_2020, product 63053211, partner IN, flow import, 2025, VALUE_IN_EUROS 1599719
- Eurostat: EU trade since 1988 by HS2-4-6 and CN8 (DS-045409) (2026-11-04)
DS-045409, reporter EU27_2020, product 63053211, partner US, flow export, 2025, VALUE_IN_EUROS 271977
- Eurostat: EU trade since 1988 by HS2-4-6 and CN8 (DS-045409) (2026-11-04)
DS-045409, reporter EU27_2020, product 63053211, flow import, 2025, VALUE_IN_EUROS 4296623, QUANTITY_IN_100KG 16302
- Eurostat: EU trade since 1988 by HS2-4-6 and CN8 (DS-045409) (2026-11-04)
DS-045409, reporter GR, product 63053211, partner EXT_EU27_2020, flow export, 2025, VALUE_IN_EUROS 1429785
- Eurostat: Enterprises by detailed NACE Rev. 2 activity and special aggregates (sbs_ovw_act) (2026-11-04)
sbs_ovw_act, geo EU27_2020, nace_r2 C2222, indic_sbs ENT_NR, 2023, 7513
- Eurostat: Enterprises by detailed NACE Rev. 2 activity and special aggregates (sbs_ovw_act) (2026-11-04)
sbs_ovw_act, geo EU27_2020, nace_r2 C2222, indic_sbs NETTUR_MEUR, 2023, 69000
- Eurostat: Enterprises by detailed NACE Rev. 2 activity and special aggregates (sbs_ovw_act) (2026-11-04)
sbs_ovw_act, geo EU27_2020, nace_r2 C2222, indic_sbs EMP_NR, 2023, 272000
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: QCEW annual averages, NAICS 326199, 2025 (2026-11-04)
QCEW 2025 annual, US000, private, NAICS 326199, annual_avg_estabs 6540
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: QCEW annual averages, NAICS 326199, 2025 (2026-11-04)
QCEW 2025 annual, US000, private, NAICS 326199, annual_avg_emplvl 287654
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: QCEW annual averages, NAICS 326199, 2025 (2026-11-04)
QCEW 2020 annual_avg_emplvl 289590; 2025 annual_avg_emplvl 287654
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: QCEW annual averages, NAICS 326199, 2025 (2026-11-04)
QCEW 2025 annual, US000, private, NAICS 326199, avg_annual_pay 67851
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