Market overview
The global paper bag market is worth USD 11.6 bn in 2026 and is forecast to reach USD 18.8 bn by 2036, growing at a 5.0% CAGR. China is the largest country market and Shopping and carrier bags is the largest by type segment.
| Scope | Bags made of paper: shopping and carrier bags, grocery bags, merchandise bags and multiwall paper sacks for cement, food, pet food and chemicals. |
|---|---|
| Industry | Packaging |
| Value 2025 | USD 11.0 bn |
| Value 2026 | USD 11.6 bn |
| Value 2036 | USD 18.8 bn |
| CAGR 2026-2036 | 5.0% |
| Volume 2026 | 207,921 million pieces |
| Volume 2036 | 306,604 million pieces |
| Average price 2026 | USD 0.06 per piece |
| Report price | Starts from USD 1,999 |
| Published | November 2026 |
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Paper Bag market size and forecast, 2026-2036
Source: Compare Market Research analysis.
© 2026 Compare Market Research. All rights reserved.
| Year | Market value |
|---|---|
| 2026 | USD 11.6 bn |
| 2027 | USD 12.1 bn |
| 2028 | USD 12.7 bn |
| 2029 | USD 13.4 bn |
| 2030 | USD 14.0 bn |
| 2031 | USD 14.7 bn |
| 2032 | USD 15.5 bn |
| 2033 | USD 16.3 bn |
| 2034 | USD 17.1 bn |
| 2035 | USD 17.9 bn |
| 2036 | USD 18.8 bn |
Paper Bag market segmentation
By type
Source: Compare Market Research analysis.
© 2026 Compare Market Research. All rights reserved.
| Segment | Share 2026 | Share 2036 | Value 2026 | CAGR 2026-36 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Shopping and carrier bags | 44.0% | 45.7% | USD 5.1 bn | 5.4% |
| Grocery and food bags | 22.0% | 21.8% | USD 2.5 bn | 4.9% |
| Multiwall sacks | 26.0% | 24.6% | USD 3.0 bn | 4.4% |
| Specialty and gift bags | 8.0% | 7.9% | USD 924 mn | 4.9% |
By end use
Source: Compare Market Research analysis.
© 2026 Compare Market Research. All rights reserved.
| Segment | Share 2026 | Share 2036 | Value 2026 | CAGR 2026-36 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Retail and e-commerce | 52.0% | 54.3% | USD 6.0 bn | 5.5% |
| Food and beverage | 20.0% | 19.9% | USD 2.3 bn | 5.0% |
| Building materials | 16.0% | 14.5% | USD 1.8 bn | 4.0% |
| Agriculture, pet food and chemicals | 12.0% | 11.4% | USD 1.4 bn | 4.5% |
By handle type
| Segment | Share 2026 | Share 2036 | Value 2026 | CAGR 2026-36 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| No handle | 42.0% | 39.1% | USD 4.9 bn | 4.2% |
| Twisted paper handle | 30.0% | 32.1% | USD 3.5 bn | 5.7% |
| Flat handle | 16.0% | 16.0% | USD 1.8 bn | 5.0% |
| Rope and ribbon handle | 12.0% | 12.8% | USD 1.4 bn | 5.7% |
By paper type
| Segment | Share 2026 | Share 2036 | Value 2026 | CAGR 2026-36 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brown kraft | 52.0% | 48.5% | USD 6.0 bn | 4.3% |
| White kraft | 26.0% | 27.9% | USD 3.0 bn | 5.7% |
| Recycled and coated paper | 22.0% | 23.6% | USD 2.5 bn | 5.7% |
By bag capacity
| Segment | Share 2026 | Share 2036 | Value 2026 | CAGR 2026-36 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Up to 2 kg | 30.0% | 30.3% | USD 3.5 bn | 5.1% |
| 2 to 10 kg | 34.0% | 34.5% | USD 3.9 bn | 5.2% |
| 10 to 25 kg | 20.0% | 20.2% | USD 2.3 bn | 5.1% |
| Above 25 kg | 16.0% | 15.0% | USD 1.8 bn | 4.3% |
Top 25 countries for paper bag by revenue
Countries are ranked by revenue earned from sales in the country, not by where the product is made. The ten largest hold 77.0% of 2026 revenue and the 25 countries below together hold 92.7%.
Source: Compare Market Research analysis.
© 2026 Compare Market Research. All rights reserved.
| # | Country | Value 2026 | Share 2026 | Value 2036 | CAGR 2026-36 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | China | USD 2.4 bn | 21.0% | USD 4.1 bn | 5.5% |
| 2 | United States | USD 2.0 bn | 17.0% | USD 2.9 bn | 4.0% |
| 3 | India | USD 1.0 bn | 9.0% | USD 2.2 bn | 8.0% |
| 4 | Japan | USD 693 mn | 6.0% | USD 884 mn | 2.5% |
| 5 | Germany | USD 578 mn | 5.0% | USD 809 mn | 3.4% |
| 6 | United Kingdom | USD 520 mn | 4.5% | USD 771 mn | 4.0% |
| 7 | France | USD 462 mn | 4.0% | USD 677 mn | 3.9% |
| 8 | Brazil | USD 462 mn | 4.0% | USD 790 mn | 5.5% |
| 9 | Indonesia | USD 404 mn | 3.5% | USD 790 mn | 6.9% |
| 10 | Italy | USD 346 mn | 3.0% | USD 489 mn | 3.5% |
| 11 | Canada | USD 305 mn | 2.6% | USD 499 mn | 5.0% |
| 12 | Spain | USD 208 mn | 1.8% | USD 341 mn | 5.1% |
| 13 | Netherlands | USD 166 mn | 1.4% | USD 252 mn | 4.2% |
| 14 | South Korea | USD 142 mn | 1.2% | USD 214 mn | 4.2% |
| 15 | Australia | USD 126 mn | 1.1% | USD 207 mn | 5.1% |
| 16 | Mexico | USD 113 mn | 1.0% | USD 186 mn | 5.1% |
| 17 | Thailand | USD 104 mn | 0.9% | USD 188 mn | 6.1% |
| 18 | Poland | USD 97 mn | 0.8% | USD 158 mn | 5.0% |
| 19 | Vietnam | USD 91 mn | 0.8% | USD 166 mn | 6.1% |
| 20 | Malaysia | USD 85 mn | 0.7% | USD 154 mn | 6.1% |
| 21 | Belgium | USD 82 mn | 0.7% | USD 124 mn | 4.2% |
| 22 | Russia | USD 77 mn | 0.7% | USD 117 mn | 4.2% |
| 23 | Egypt | USD 74 mn | 0.6% | USD 134 mn | 6.1% |
| 24 | Denmark | USD 72 mn | 0.6% | USD 109 mn | 4.3% |
| 25 | Sweden | USD 68 mn | 0.6% | USD 103 mn | 4.3% |
| Rest of world | USD 845 mn | 7.3% | USD 1.4 bn | 5.0% |
Source: Compare Market Research analysis.
© 2026 Compare Market Research. All rights reserved.
Competitive landscape
Group 1: Global leaders
- Mondi
- Smurfit Westrock
- Billerud
- Gascogne
- International Paper
- Segezha Group
Group 2: Regional and specialist players
- Duro Bag Manufacturing
- Novolex
- Stora Enso
- Hood Packaging
- Bagcraft Papercon
Group 3: Emerging and niche players
- Welton Bibby and Baron
- Papier-Mettler
- EcoBags Products
Research methodology
Every figure on this page comes from the research framework that we apply to all of the markets we cover. The 2025 base for the paper bag market is built from the volume sold and the price that buyers pay, and is cross-checked against the size of the wider industry the market belongs to. Where a market can be sized in more than one way, the routes are compared before a figure is set.
The forecast runs year by year from the 2025 base to 2036. Growth in each year reflects demand from the industries that buy the product, adoption of new technology, pricing, regulation and replacement cycles. Volume and price are modelled together, so revenue in each year equals volume multiplied by average price. The 2026 to 2036 compound annual growth rate of 5.0% is calculated from the resulting values.
The market is divided by type, by end use, by handle type, by paper type, by bag capacity. The 25 largest countries are ranked by revenue earned from sales to buyers in each country, not by where the product is made. Segment values and country values add up to the market total in every year, and every report is checked for consistency before it is published.
Companies are placed in three groups: global leaders, regional and specialist players, and emerging and niche players. The groups describe how companies compete in the market. They are not a ranking and they are not market shares.
Our analysts also carry out primary research. Customized reports add interviews with key opinion leaders, such as senior executives, technical specialists and buyers, to test the assumptions behind the numbers for the question being asked.
Frequently asked questions
How big is the paper bag market?
The global paper bag market is estimated at USD 11.0 bn in 2025 and USD 11.6 bn in 2026.
How fast will the paper bag market grow?
It is forecast to reach USD 18.8 bn by 2036, a compound annual growth rate of 5.0% from 2026, an increase of USD 7.3 bn.
Which country is the largest market for paper bag?
China is the largest market by revenue at USD 2.4 bn in 2026, 21.0% of the global total. The three largest countries together hold 47.0%.
Which country is growing fastest?
Among the ten largest markets, India is growing fastest at 8.0% a year from 2026 to 2036.
Which paper bag segment is largest?
In the by type split, Shopping and carrier bags is the largest segment with 44.0% of 2026 revenue.
Who are the leading paper bag companies?
Global leaders include Mondi, Smurfit Westrock, Billerud, Gascogne.
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