Market evolution: Glass containers (CN 701090) — 2015–2025

Introduction

This report analyses the evolution of European Union trade with non-EU countries for glass containers (Combined Nomenclature code 701090) over the 2015-2025 period. The product covers a broad range of commercial glass packaging, from beverage and food bottles to pharmaceutical containers. The period was characterised by a significant expansion in the value and volume of EU trade, though with distinct trajectories for exports and imports, leading to a notable erosion of the EU's traditional trade surplus. Key dynamics include a surge in import growth, particularly from China, rising unit values, and shifting geographical dependencies, all against a backdrop of macroeconomic shocks and supply chain adjustments.

1. A Widening Trade Deficit Fueled by Soaring Imports

The EU's trade in glass containers grew substantially in value over the decade, but the growth was asymmetric. While exports saw moderate expansion, imports surged, dramatically narrowing the trade surplus.

1.1. Import growth vastly outpaces export expansion

The total value of EU imports of glass containers more than doubled between 2015 and 2025, rising from €453 million to €1.09 billion, a 141% increase. In contrast, export values grew by 29% over the same period, from €1.14 billion to €1.47 billion. This divergence is even more pronounced in volume terms: import quantities increased by 78.5% (from 665,000 tonnes to 1.19 million tonnes), while export volumes grew only marginally by 2.6% (General Overview).

1.2. Unit values indicate a shift towards higher-value imports

Both import and export prices per tonne increased significantly, but import prices rose more sharply. The average export price increased by 25.7% to €1,218 per tonne, while the average import price climbed by 35.0% to €920 per tonne. This suggests that the incoming goods mix may have shifted towards higher-value items, or that source-country production costs increased. The supplementary price (value per item) for imports shows an even steeper rise of 38.7%, indicating that the incoming containers may have also changed in terms of size or specification (General Overview).

2. Shifting Geographical Dependencies and Growing Concentration

The landscape of the EU's top trade partners for glass containers underwent a significant transformation, with a marked rise in the concentration of imports.

2.1. China becomes the dominant source, while traditional partners shift

China solidified its position as the EU's largest source of glass container imports. Its share of EU imports by value exploded, with its import value growing by 307% to reach €322 million in 2025, making it the single largest supplier. Other notable increases came from Türkiye (+771%) and Ukraine (+150%). Conversely, imports from the Russian Federation collapsed to near-zero following 2022. On the export side, the United Kingdom remained the EU's largest market, accounting for 26.5% of export value in 2025, followed by the United States and Switzerland (Top Partners by Value).

2.2. Import source concentration has increased markedly

The Herfindahl-Hirschman Index (HHI), a measure of market concentration, shows a 41.2% increase for EU imports by value between 2015 and 2025. This indicates that the EU's import base has become less diversified, with a growing reliance on a smaller number of dominant suppliers, primarily China. The HHI for exports also increased, but more modestly (14.1%), reflecting a slight consolidation in destination markets (Concentration HHI).

3. Price Volatility, Shocks, and the EU's Evolving Vulnerability

The decade saw periods of significant price volatility, particularly around 2022, which tested supply chain resilience. Despite this, the EU has managed to slightly reduce its net import reliance.

3.1. Pronounced price shocks in 2022

The year 2022 stands out as a period of significant price disturbance across many trade flows. For example, the price of EU exports of bottles for beverages to the United Kingdom jumped abnormally in 2022. Similarly, import prices from Ukraine surged by 58.7% in the same year. These shocks likely reflect the combined impacts of post-pandemic demand recovery, rising energy and input costs, and the initial effects of geopolitical instability (Volatility & Shocks).

3.2. The EU remains a net exporter but with diminished advantage

Despite the faster growth in imports, the EU has maintained its status as a net exporter of glass containers throughout the period. However, the net import reliance metric improved from -8.9% in 2015 to -2.9% in 2025, meaning the net exporter position has weakened. Meanwhile, the trade intensity ratio (total trade as a share of production) rose from 12.0% to 19.4%, indicating that the EU's glass container sector has become more integrated into global trade flows over the decade (Net Import Reliance).

Conclusion

Between 2015 and 2025, the EU's trade in glass containers evolved substantially. The most defining trend was the explosive growth in imports, particularly from China, which has shifted the trade balance, increased the concentration of import sources, and altered the competitive landscape. While the EU remains a net exporter, its competitive advantage has diminished. The period was punctuated by significant price volatility, with 2022 marking a key shock. The data suggests an industry that is more globally integrated and exposed to international competition and supply chain disruptions than it was at the start of the decade, requiring continuous adaptation from European producers.