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Paper Bag Market Size, Share and Forecast 2026-2036

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.

USD 11.6 bnMarket size 2026
USD 18.8 bnForecast 2036
5.0%CAGR 2026-2036
ChinaLargest country

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5 segmentation views25 countries2026 to 2036 yearly forecast

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.

ScopeBags made of paper: shopping and carrier bags, grocery bags, merchandise bags and multiwall paper sacks for cement, food, pet food and chemicals.
IndustryPackaging
Value 2025USD 11.0 bn
Value 2026USD 11.6 bn
Value 2036USD 18.8 bn
CAGR 2026-20365.0%
Volume 2026207,921 million pieces
Volume 2036306,604 million pieces
Average price 2026USD 0.06 per piece
Report priceStarts from USD 1,999
PublishedNovember 2026

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Paper Bag market size and forecast, 2026-2036

Exhibit 1The global paper bag market is forecast to grow from USD 11.6 bn in 2026 to USD 18.8 bn by 2036, a rise of 63%Global market value in USD: 2025 base year, 2026 estimate and forecast to 2036. CAGR 2026 to 2036: 5.0%
Paper Bag market value, 2025 to 2036Market value by year. 2025: USD 11.0 bn; 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. Compound annual growth rate 2026 to 2036: 5.0%.202511.6 bn202614.7 bn203118.8 bn20365.0% CAGR

Source: Compare Market Research analysis.
© 2026 Compare Market Research. All rights reserved.

YearMarket value
2026USD 11.6 bn
2027USD 12.1 bn
2028USD 12.7 bn
2029USD 13.4 bn
2030USD 14.0 bn
2031USD 14.7 bn
2032USD 15.5 bn
2033USD 16.3 bn
2034USD 17.1 bn
2035USD 17.9 bn
2036USD 18.8 bn

Paper Bag market segmentation

By type

Exhibit 2Shopping and carrier bags is the largest segment by type, with 44.0% of 2026 revenueEstimated share of 2026 global revenue, by type
Paper Bag market share by type, 2026Share of 2026 revenue by type. Shopping and carrier bags: 44.0%; Multiwall sacks: 26.0%; Grocery and food bags: 22.0%; Specialty and gift bags: 8.0%.Shopping and carrier bags44.0%Multiwall sacks26.0%Grocery and food bags22.0%Specialty and gift bags8.0%

Source: Compare Market Research analysis.
© 2026 Compare Market Research. All rights reserved.

SegmentShare 2026Share 2036Value 2026CAGR 2026-36
Shopping and carrier bags44.0%45.7%USD 5.1 bn5.4%
Grocery and food bags22.0%21.8%USD 2.5 bn4.9%
Multiwall sacks26.0%24.6%USD 3.0 bn4.4%
Specialty and gift bags8.0%7.9%USD 924 mn4.9%

By end use

Exhibit 3Retail and e-commerce adds the most revenue by end use, growing from USD 6.0 bn in 2026 to USD 10.2 bn by 2036Estimated revenue in USD by end use, 2026 and 2036 forecast
Paper Bag market by end use, 2026 and 2036Revenue by end use in 2026 and 2036. Retail and e-commerce: USD 6.0 bn in 2026, USD 10.2 bn in 2036, change +70%; Food and beverage: USD 2.3 bn in 2026, USD 3.7 bn in 2036, change +62%; Building materials: USD 1.8 bn in 2026, USD 2.7 bn in 2036, change +47%; Agriculture, pet food and chemicals: USD 1.4 bn in 2026, USD 2.1 bn in 2036, change +55%.20262036 forecastChangeRetail and e-commerce+70%6.0 bn10.2 bnFood and beverage+62%2.3 bn3.7 bnBuilding materials+47%1.8 bn2.7 bnAgriculture, pet food and chemicals+55%1.4 bn2.1 bn

Source: Compare Market Research analysis.
© 2026 Compare Market Research. All rights reserved.

SegmentShare 2026Share 2036Value 2026CAGR 2026-36
Retail and e-commerce52.0%54.3%USD 6.0 bn5.5%
Food and beverage20.0%19.9%USD 2.3 bn5.0%
Building materials16.0%14.5%USD 1.8 bn4.0%
Agriculture, pet food and chemicals12.0%11.4%USD 1.4 bn4.5%

By handle type

SegmentShare 2026Share 2036Value 2026CAGR 2026-36
No handle42.0%39.1%USD 4.9 bn4.2%
Twisted paper handle30.0%32.1%USD 3.5 bn5.7%
Flat handle16.0%16.0%USD 1.8 bn5.0%
Rope and ribbon handle12.0%12.8%USD 1.4 bn5.7%

By paper type

SegmentShare 2026Share 2036Value 2026CAGR 2026-36
Brown kraft52.0%48.5%USD 6.0 bn4.3%
White kraft26.0%27.9%USD 3.0 bn5.7%
Recycled and coated paper22.0%23.6%USD 2.5 bn5.7%

By bag capacity

SegmentShare 2026Share 2036Value 2026CAGR 2026-36
Up to 2 kg30.0%30.3%USD 3.5 bn5.1%
2 to 10 kg34.0%34.5%USD 3.9 bn5.2%
10 to 25 kg20.0%20.2%USD 2.3 bn5.1%
Above 25 kg16.0%15.0%USD 1.8 bn4.3%

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%.

Exhibit 4China is the largest country market at USD 2.4 bn in 2026, and the three largest countries hold 47.0% of global revenueEstimated 2026 revenue in USD and share of the global market, ten largest countries
Paper Bag market, ten largest countries in 2026Ten largest countries by 2026 revenue. China: USD 2.4 bn, 21.0%; United States: USD 2.0 bn, 17.0%; India: USD 1.0 bn, 9.0%; Japan: USD 693 mn, 6.0%; Germany: USD 578 mn, 5.0%; United Kingdom: USD 520 mn, 4.5%; France: USD 462 mn, 4.0%; Brazil: USD 462 mn, 4.0%; Indonesia: USD 404 mn, 3.5%; Italy: USD 346 mn, 3.0%.China2.4 bn 21.0%United States2.0 bn 17.0%India1.0 bn 9.0%Japan693 mn 6.0%Germany578 mn 5.0%United Kingdom520 mn 4.5%France462 mn 4.0%Brazil462 mn 4.0%Indonesia404 mn 3.5%Italy346 mn 3.0%

Source: Compare Market Research analysis.
© 2026 Compare Market Research. All rights reserved.

#CountryValue 2026Share 2026Value 2036CAGR 2026-36
1ChinaUSD 2.4 bn21.0%USD 4.1 bn5.5%
2United StatesUSD 2.0 bn17.0%USD 2.9 bn4.0%
3IndiaUSD 1.0 bn9.0%USD 2.2 bn8.0%
4JapanUSD 693 mn6.0%USD 884 mn2.5%
5GermanyUSD 578 mn5.0%USD 809 mn3.4%
6United KingdomUSD 520 mn4.5%USD 771 mn4.0%
7FranceUSD 462 mn4.0%USD 677 mn3.9%
8BrazilUSD 462 mn4.0%USD 790 mn5.5%
9IndonesiaUSD 404 mn3.5%USD 790 mn6.9%
10ItalyUSD 346 mn3.0%USD 489 mn3.5%
11CanadaUSD 305 mn2.6%USD 499 mn5.0%
12SpainUSD 208 mn1.8%USD 341 mn5.1%
13NetherlandsUSD 166 mn1.4%USD 252 mn4.2%
14South KoreaUSD 142 mn1.2%USD 214 mn4.2%
15AustraliaUSD 126 mn1.1%USD 207 mn5.1%
16MexicoUSD 113 mn1.0%USD 186 mn5.1%
17ThailandUSD 104 mn0.9%USD 188 mn6.1%
18PolandUSD 97 mn0.8%USD 158 mn5.0%
19VietnamUSD 91 mn0.8%USD 166 mn6.1%
20MalaysiaUSD 85 mn0.7%USD 154 mn6.1%
21BelgiumUSD 82 mn0.7%USD 124 mn4.2%
22RussiaUSD 77 mn0.7%USD 117 mn4.2%
23EgyptUSD 74 mn0.6%USD 134 mn6.1%
24DenmarkUSD 72 mn0.6%USD 109 mn4.3%
25SwedenUSD 68 mn0.6%USD 103 mn4.3%
Rest of worldUSD 845 mn7.3%USD 1.4 bn5.0%
Exhibit 5China and India account for 40% of the USD 7.3 bn the market is forecast to add by 2036Forecast revenue added between 2026 and 2036 by country, in USD
Paper Bag market, where the growth to 2036 comes fromRevenue added between 2026 and 2036. Market value 2026: USD 11.6 bn. China: +USD 1.7 bn; India: +USD 1.2 bn; United States: +USD 934 mn; Indonesia: +USD 386 mn; Brazil: +USD 328 mn; 20 other countries: +USD 2.2 bn; Rest of world: +USD 530 mn. Market value 2036: USD 18.8 bn.Market value 202611.6 bnChina+1.7 bnIndia+1.2 bnUnited States+934 mnIndonesia+386 mnBrazil+328 mn20 other countries+2.2 bnRest of world+530 mnMarket value 203618.8 bn

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.

Read the full research methodology

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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