Brazil flexible plastics output falls 3% in Q3 as imports jump 49%

Brazilian flexible plastic packaging production fell 3.0% year-on-year to 569,000 tonnes in the third quarter of 2026, even as apparent consumption edged up 0.6% to 590,000 tonnes, according to data from Maxiquim compiled for trade association ABIEF. Imports rose 48.8% year-on-year to 43,200 tonnes, taking import share of consumption to 7.3% from 4.9% a year earlier, while exports dropped 24.4% to 22,600 tonnes, leaving a trade deficit of 20,600 tonnes against a small surplus a year earlier.

Why this mattersRising import penetration and a widening trade deficit intensify competitive pressure on Brazilian flexible-packaging converters despite broadly stable domestic demand.

• Apparent consumption reached 590,000 tonnes in Q3 2026, up 0.6% year-on-year and 1.1% quarter-on-quarter
• Domestic production totalled 569,000 tonnes, down 3.0% year-on-year but up 0.8% quarter-on-quarter
• Imports rose 48.8% year-on-year to 43,200 tonnes, lifting import share of consumption to 7.3% from 4.9% a year earlier, the highest in the recent series
• Exports fell 24.4% year-on-year to 22,600 tonnes, turning a 900-tonne surplus in Q3 2025 into a 20,600-tonne deficit
• Recycled-resin production grew 6.8% year-on-year to 29,400 tonnes, 5% of total output
• Food remained the largest end market at 226,900 tonnes, 38.5% of apparent consumption

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