Market evolution: Plastic wallets and purses (CN 42023210) — 2015–2025
Introduction
This report analyses the trade dynamics of the European Union for plastic wallets and purses (Combined Nomenclature code 42023210) from 2015 to 2025. Over this decade, the EU's trade in this product category underwent a significant structural transformation. While the total volume of imports declined, their value remained relatively resilient. Conversely, EU exports saw substantial value growth despite a fall in quantity, pointing to a fundamental shift towards higher-value products and changing trade partnerships. This analysis identifies and interprets the principal trends in trade balance, supply chain reorganisation, and intra-EU specialisation.
1. The Decoupling of Volume and Value: A Pivot to Premium Production
The period was characterised by a clear divergence between physical trade volumes and monetary value, indicating a move upmarket for EU trade in this product segment.
Import volumes contracted while export prices surged
EU imports of plastic wallets and purses experienced a significant volume decline of 24.1%, falling from 30,208 tonnes in 2015 to 22,942 tonnes by 2025. However, the total value of these imports decreased by a more modest 7.9%, suggesting a rise in the average import price. This price increase was even more pronounced in exports. EU export quantities fell by 16.6% over the same period, yet their total value soared by 40.2%. Consequently, the average export price increased by 68.0%, far outstripping the 21.2% rise in average import prices.
| Flow | Metric | 2015 (First) | 2025 (Last) | Change (%) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Imports | Value (EUR) | 353,638,481 | 325,745,696 | -7.9 |
| Quantity (tonnes) | 30,208 | 22,942 | -24.1 | |
| Price (EUR/t) | 11,706 | 14,189 | +21.2 | |
| Exports | Value (EUR) | 279,937,939 | 392,351,471 | +40.2 |
| Quantity (tonnes) | 1,924 | 1,605 | -16.6 | |
| Price (EUR/t) | 145,500 | 244,403 | +68.0 |
The trade balance reversed from deficit to surplus
This divergent evolution in prices directly reshaped the EU's trade balance. The EU began the period as a net importer in value terms, with a trade deficit of €73.7 million in 2015. By 2025, this had transformed into a substantial trade surplus of €66.6 million, representing a 190.4% improvement. This swing was driven not by exporting more items, but by exporting significantly more valuable ones.
EU production value expanded dramatically
Complementing the trade data, the reported EU production value for articles normally carried in the pocket or handbag (PRODCOM 15.12.12.30) grew by 195.3% between 2015 and 2025. This explosive growth, from €598 million to nearly €1.77 billion, underscores the bloc's strengthening position in higher-value segments of the market, aligning with the observed export price trends.
2. Supply Chain Reconfiguration: From Chinese Dominance to Asian Diversification
The EU's sourcing map for these goods underwent a major reconfiguration, moving away from heavy reliance on a single supplier towards a more diversified network in Asia.
China remained the primary supplier but saw its share erode
China was consistently the EU's largest import partner, accounting for the vast majority of import value throughout the period. However, its dominance is fading. The value of imports from China fell by 11.0% over the decade, and the Herfindahl-Hirschman Index (HHI) for import concentration by value decreased by 6.3%, confirming a reduction in supplier concentration.
Southeast Asian nations emerged as key alternative sources
Several Southeast Asian countries dramatically increased their exports to the EU, indicating a strategic diversification of supply chains.
| Partner Country | 2015 Import Value (EUR) | 2025 Import Value (EUR) | Change (%) |
|---|---|---|---|
| China | 295,458,830 | 263,080,043 | -11.0 |
| Viet Nam | 12,189,287 | 15,667,863 | +28.5 |
| Myanmar | 171 | 13,941,097 | +8,139,403 |
| Cambodia | 588,572 | 9,978,461 | +1,595 |
| Indonesia | 3,628,382 | 4,412,541 | +21.6 |
Historical trade hubs waned in importance
In contrast to the rise of mainland Southeast Asia, traditional re-export and logistics hubs lost significant ground. The value of imports from Hong Kong fell by 92.0%, from €16.3 million to €1.3 million. Imports from the United Kingdom, while complex due to Brexit, also fell by 88.5% between the first and last year of the period.
3. Intra-EU Specialisation and External Market Focus
Within the EU, production and export specialisation became more pronounced, while the bloc's export orientation intensified towards specific extra-EU markets.
France consolidated its position as the EU's export powerhouse
Among EU Member States, France showed the strongest specialisation in this product, with a high Revealed Symmetric Comparative Advantage (RSCA) of 0.48 in 2025. Its export value grew by 59.8%, reaching €332.7 million and solidifying its role as the dominant EU exporter. Other southern European countries like Spain (exports +133.6%) and Italy also maintained strong positions, while Eastern European members like Poland (exports +374.2%) and Romania increased their footprint, suggesting a geographic spreading of production within the EU.
The United States became the premier extra-EU destination
The United States cemented its position as the most valuable export market for EU plastic wallets, with import value growing by 64.0% to €85.1 million. This contrasted with more volatile growth in other key markets. Notably, export shock analysis revealed a significant price shock in exports to China in 2020, and a volume shock to Russia in 2022 linked to geopolitical events.
The EU became a more trade-intensive and export-oriented producer
The net import reliance of the EU for this product became deeply negative (from -71.6% in 2015 to -161.3% in 2025), meaning the EU's export value greatly exceeded its import value by the end of the period. Furthermore, the EU's export propensity score was higher than its trade intensity score in 2025, indicating that the bloc was increasingly specialised in producing these goods for external markets rather than for internal consumption or re-export.
Conclusion
The 2015–2025 period for EU trade in plastic wallets and purses (CN 42023210) was defined by three interconnected dynamics. First, a decisive shift from volume to value, where the EU traded fewer units but at significantly higher prices, leading to a swing from a trade deficit to a surplus and underpinned by a surge in domestic production value. Second, a reconfiguration of supply chains away from concentrated reliance on China towards a diversified network in Vietnam, Myanmar, and Cambodia. Third, a consolidation of internal specialisation, with France emerging as the bloc's leading exporter and the overall EU industry becoming more externally oriented, particularly towards the U.S. market. Collectively, these trends paint a picture of an EU industry that has moved upmarket, diversified its sourcing, and strengthened its competitive position in global trade.