China was the largest outside supplier.
What this market covers
Cartons, bottles, cups, tubs and closures used to pack milk, yogurt, cheese and butter. Dairies and private label brands buy them.
Typical segments
- Paperboard cartons
- Plastic bottles
- Cups and tubs
- Closures and lids
- Flexible pouches
Source: Eurostat
Why this market is moving now
- Extra-EU import value rose 31% 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.
Key figures
Each figure names the source it came from. Open the source list below to read the quoted line.
| Figure | Value | Year | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| The EU imported €638.2 million of products under CN code 481920 (Folding cartons, boxes and cases, of non-corrugated paper or paperboard) from outside the EU in 2025. | 638.2 EUR million | 2025 | Eurostat |
| Extra-EU imports of CN 481920 were up 31% in 2025 compared with 2020 (€486.6 million), calculated from Eurostat values. | +31 % since 2020 | 2025 | Eurostat |
| EU exports of CN 481920 to countries outside the EU were worth €1.07 billion in 2025. | 1.07 EUR billion | 2025 | Eurostat |
| Trade between EU member states in CN 481920 (intra-EU arrivals) came to €3.58 billion in 2025. | 3.58 EUR billion | 2025 | Eurostat |
| China was the largest non-EU supplier of CN 481920 to the EU in 2025, with €292.8 million, or 46% of extra-EU imports. | 292.8 EUR million | 2025 | Eurostat |
| EU exports of CN 481920 to the United States were €54.2 million in 2025. | 54.2 EUR million | 2025 | Eurostat |
| The average value of extra-EU imports of CN 481920 was €3.95 per kilogram in 2025, calculated from Eurostat value and weight. | 3.95 EUR per kg | 2025 | Eurostat |
| Germany was the largest EU exporter of CN 481920 to non-EU countries in 2025, at €202.8 million. | 202.8 EUR million | 2025 | Eurostat |
| The EU had 6,931 enterprises in NACE class C1721 (Manufacture of corrugated paper and paperboard and of containers of paper and paperboard) in 2023. | 6,931 enterprises | 2023 | Eurostat |
| EU enterprises in NACE class C1721 had net turnover of €71.00 billion in 2023. | 71.00 EUR billion | 2023 | Eurostat |
| NACE class C1721 employed 277,654 people across the EU in 2022. | 277,654 persons employed | 2022 | Eurostat |
| The US had 406 private establishments in NAICS 322212 (Folding paperboard box manufacturing) in 2025. | 406 establishments | 2025 | U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics |
| NAICS 322212 employed an average of 28,175 people in US private industry in 2025. | 28,175 jobs | 2025 | U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics |
| US employment in NAICS 322212 changed by +4% between 2020 (27,182 jobs) and 2025, calculated from BLS figures. | +4 % since 2020 | 2025 | U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics |
| Average annual pay in US NAICS 322212 was $75,332 in 2025. | 75,332 USD per year | 2025 | U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics |
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)
Quoted lines
- Figure 1
DS-045409, reporter EU27_2020, product 481920, partner EXT_EU27_2020, flow import, 2025, VALUE_IN_EUROS 638182734
- Figure 2
DS-045409, reporter EU27_2020, product 481920, flow import, 2020 VALUE_IN_EUROS 486638850; 2025 VALUE_IN_EUROS 638182734
- Figure 3
DS-045409, reporter EU27_2020, product 481920, partner EXT_EU27_2020, flow export, 2025, VALUE_IN_EUROS 1067620899
- Figure 4
DS-045409, reporter EU27_2020, product 481920, partner INT_EU27_2020, flow import, 2025, VALUE_IN_EUROS 3578699000
- Figure 5
DS-045409, reporter EU27_2020, product 481920, partner CN, flow import, 2025, VALUE_IN_EUROS 292786071
- Figure 6
DS-045409, reporter EU27_2020, product 481920, partner US, flow export, 2025, VALUE_IN_EUROS 54163516
- Figure 7
DS-045409, reporter EU27_2020, product 481920, flow import, 2025, VALUE_IN_EUROS 638182734, QUANTITY_IN_100KG 1614731
- Figure 1
- Eurostat: EU trade since 1988 by HS2-4-6 and CN8 (DS-045409) (2026-11-04)
Quoted lines
- Figure 8
DS-045409, reporter DE, product 481920, partner EXT_EU27_2020, flow export, 2025, VALUE_IN_EUROS 202836460
- Figure 8
- Eurostat: Enterprises by detailed NACE Rev. 2 activity and special aggregates (sbs_ovw_act) (2026-11-04)
Quoted lines
- Figure 9
sbs_ovw_act, geo EU27_2020, nace_r2 C1721, indic_sbs ENT_NR, 2023, 6931
- Figure 10
sbs_ovw_act, geo EU27_2020, nace_r2 C1721, indic_sbs NETTUR_MEUR, 2023, 71000
- Figure 11
sbs_ovw_act, geo EU27_2020, nace_r2 C1721, indic_sbs EMP_NR, 2022, 277654
- Figure 9
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: QCEW annual averages, NAICS 322212, 2025 (2026-11-04)
Quoted lines
- Figure 12
QCEW 2025 annual, US000, private, NAICS 322212, annual_avg_estabs 406
- Figure 13
QCEW 2025 annual, US000, private, NAICS 322212, annual_avg_emplvl 28175
- Figure 14
QCEW 2020 annual_avg_emplvl 27182; 2025 annual_avg_emplvl 28175
- Figure 15
QCEW 2025 annual, US000, private, NAICS 322212, avg_annual_pay 75332
- Figure 12
Buyers and suppliers
Who buys
- Milk processors
- Cheese and yogurt makers
- Private label brands
Large non-EU suppliers to the EU
What the full report covers
- 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
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- Excel data pack
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- Method note and assumptions
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Frequently asked questions
How big is the EU dairy packaging market?
There is no single official market total. Eurostat trade data shows the EU imported €638.2 million of goods under CN 481920 from outside the EU in 2025 and exported €1.07 billion.
Where does the EU import dairy packaging from?
China was the largest non-EU supplier in 2025. Other large suppliers included United Kingdom, Switzerland, Türkiye.
What is the average import price of dairy packaging in the EU?
Dividing Eurostat import value by weight gives about €3.95 per kilogram for CN 481920 in 2025.
Which EU countries export the most dairy packaging?
Germany led EU exports to non-EU countries in 2025, followed by Netherlands, France.
How many US companies are in the dairy packaging industry?
BLS counts 406 private establishments in NAICS 322212 (Folding paperboard box manufacturing), the closest official industry.
How many EU companies are in the dairy packaging industry?
Eurostat counts 6,931 enterprises in NACE class C1721 (Manufacture of corrugated paper and paperboard and of containers of paper and paperboard).
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