The one certain thing about global economies and alliances is that they are always changing. Where once the United States of America was the unopposed leader of the free world, the increase in far-right sentiments and implementation of protectionist policies has made the Oval Office&rsquo;s lack of interest in maintaining that hegemony quite evident. The rise of China&rsquo;s global business penetration, the development of BRICS, MENA, LATAM, and Asian regions, and unprecedented global events such as COVID-19 have highlighted the need for diversified and more resilient trade routes.
Such an evolution of the global trade landscape will impact the packaging industry simply because packaging follows where the goods flow. Whether it is a surge in the export of farm produce from Latin America or flourishing manufacturing centres in Southeast Asia, the&nbsp;<a href="https://usawire.com/custom-packaging-for-e-commerce-protection-presentation/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">custom packaging</a>&nbsp;requirements are changing rapidly.
This article intends to discuss precisely these new opportunities for the custom packaging industry by highlighting the growth in Asian, African and LATAM markets, key demand drivers, changes in trade routes, along with development within the packaging industry itself. Most importantly, this article highlights how brands can position themselves to take advantage of such trade diversification and growth.
<h2>The Rise of South-South Trade</h2>
As the developing economies strengthen and as market saturation and nationalism distort the growth of highly developed markets, the alliances between developing countries continue to increase.
This is often called South‑South trade.
UNCTAD reports that trade between developing nations has grown almost twice as fast as global trade since 2000 and that it now accounts for over half of their exports in selected industries.
<ul>
<li>
<h3>Global System of Trade Preferences:&nbsp;</h3>
One example is the Global System of Trade Preferences (GSTP) involving 42 countries in Africa, Asia, and Latin America. The GSTP is designed to reduce tariffs and boost trade among these nations. In 2021, GSTP members reached $5.3 trillion in trade, about 20% of total global imports (UN Trade and Development, 2023). These agreements are more than just numbers on a chart. They fuel real demand for packaging. As factories in Vietnam export more electronics, or as agricultural hubs in Africa ship produce across borders, they create a clear need for cardboard boxes and custom boxes that can handle regional transit environments.</li>
<li>
<h3>China + 1 Approach:&nbsp;</h3>
The&nbsp;China +1&nbsp;approach is a popular strategy right now, given the hesitation and political difficulty for companies to rely entirely on just China. Deploying international trade strategies, such as Country of Origin Washing and Third Party Trade companies, are adding production, packaging, or rebranding lines in places like India, Vietnam, Indonesia, Mexico, and Thailand. McKinsey notes that Vietnam&rsquo;s exports grew from $320 billion in 2019 to $440 billion in 2023, mainly driven by electronics. This has created fresh demand for&nbsp;custom packaging, especially for fragile and high‑value items (McKinsey &amp; Company, 2024).</li>
</ul>
Regional trade frameworks and economic alliances further enable such production shifts, along with providing reliability and stability to garner investor trust. In Asia, RCEP facilitates the flow of merchandise into and out of Southeast Asia whereas in Africa, facilities like dry ports and new highways facilitate the movement of goods from inland factories to shipping terminals at the seaports. In Latin America, near‑shoring to Mexico links manufacturers closer to the US market while allowing them to keep production costs low.
The table below presents a brief snapshot of key corridors and how they connect to packaging demand:
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Region
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<td width="156">
Route
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What It Drives
</td>
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Packaging Needs
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</tr>
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Asia
</td>
<td width="156">
China +1
RCEP
CPEC
Sagarmala Project
</td>
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Electronics and pharma exports from new hubs
</td>
<td width="156">
Precision custom boxes
</td>
</tr>
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Africa
</td>
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GSTP
African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCTA)
Lamu Port-South Sudan-Ethiopia-Transport (LAPSSET)
Regional highways
</td>
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Crops and consumer goods cross borders
</td>
<td width="156">
Durable cardboard boxes for transport
</td>
</tr>
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<td width="156">
LATAM
</td>
<td width="156">
Near-shoring in Mexico
Pacific Alliance
</td>
<td width="156">
Automotive and food&nbsp; exports to the US and Canada
</td>
<td width="156">
Standardized custom packaging
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
These patterns show that global trade is no longer relying on just the Western powers, but rather it&rsquo;s moving between developing countries. This is a shift in demand and supply chain routes that requires custom packaging that meets the new logistics, climate, and regulatory requirements.
<h2>Emerging Regional Packaging Needs</h2>
Each new market has its demands, and the need for custom packaging, especially custom&nbsp;<a href="https://themailerbox.com/product-boxes/">cardboard boxes</a>&nbsp;that can be shipped flat and are easy to recycle, is rapidly reshaping.
Let&rsquo;s look at how shifts in regional trade are creating real packaging needs.
<h3>Africa: Durable Boxes for Rough Journeys</h3>
Africa&rsquo;s packaging industry is growing quickly. It was valued at about&nbsp;USD 43.4 billion in 2024, rising toward USD 45.2 billion in 2025, and is on pace for roughly&nbsp;3.85% annual growth&nbsp;through 2030. E-commerce in Africa could hit&nbsp;&pound;75 billion by 2025, which drives demand for packaging (Sustainable Seas Trust, 2024).
Countries like Nigeria need strong packaging now. Their packaging industry was USD 0.89 billion in 2024 and is projected to be USD 0.92 billion in 2025, increasing at 2.96% annually (Modor Intelligence, 2024). Corrugated cardboard boxes are used extensively by food, electronics, and other industries.
With roads that challenge fragile items, exporters now rely on bespoke&nbsp;custom boxes&nbsp;designed for durability, weight, and seasonal weather. This is your chance as a packaging supplier to offer tailored solutions.
<h3>Asia: Precision Packaging for Exporters</h3>
Asia is now one of the most internally connected trade regions in the world. Over&nbsp;57% of trade value stays within the region, up significantly since 2000 (McKinsey, 2024). This translates to higher quantities of goods regionally circulating within Southeast Asia and neighbouring markets.
Other nations, such as Vietnam and India, are increasing exports of electronics, chemicals, and processed foods. That puts pressure on standard packaging. Exporters are turning to&nbsp;custom packaging&nbsp;that offers safe transport, meets export rules, and carries clear product labels.
It is no longer enough to ship items in a standard box. Companies need advanced&nbsp;custom boxes. They are designed to hold the right size and contain traceability elements like barcodes or QR codes.
<h2>Latin America: Flexible and Eco-Friendly Packaging</h2>
Not only have the LATAM markets and their global alliances strengthened in the last decade, but with Trump&rsquo;s recent tariffs on Chinese and Indian products, there is a bright opportunity for LATAM manufacturers to benefit from near-shoring, reshoring and other outsourcing activities.
In terms of packaging, Latin America is undergoing a revolution. The paper packaging market was valued at approximately&nbsp;USD 26.3 billion in 2024&nbsp;and will grow&nbsp;3.9%&nbsp;compound per annum until&nbsp;2030&nbsp;(IMARC, 2025). The overall consumer packaging sector was approximately USD 35 billion in 2024, with flexible packaging increasing more rapidly than rigid formats.
Sustainability and adaptability are in high demand. You notice more tailored packaging for snacks, personal care products, and online shopping. Mexican, Brazilian, and Colombian brands are implementing recyclable cardboard containers and paper-based pouches to meet consumer and regulatory imperatives.
Heavy-hit industries include agriculture, food delivery, and export-oriented light manufacturing. These industries need packaging that balances cost, durability, and environmental impact.
<table width="0">
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Region
</td>
<td width="156">
2024 Market Size (US Bn)
</td>
<td width="156">
Compounded Annual Growth Rate (CAGR)
</td>
<td width="156">
High-Growth Segments
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="156">
Asia
</td>
<td width="156">
&ndash;
</td>
<td width="156">
&ndash;
</td>
<td width="156">
Electronics, pharmaceuticals
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="156">
Africa
</td>
<td width="156">
43.5
</td>
<td width="156">
~3.9%
</td>
<td width="156">
E-commerce, food transport
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="156">
LATAM
</td>
<td width="156">
26.3 (paper pkg) / 35 (consumer)
</td>
<td width="156">
3.9 / 3.1%
</td>
<td width="156">
Flexible, eco-friendly packaging
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
Across all regions, you see one thing in common: packaging needs are becoming more precise and customised. This is the packaging opportunity to invest in custom packaging that synergizes local transport infrastructure, export demands and sustainability requirements.
<h2>What This Means for Packaging Manufacturers</h2>
Having a clearer view of the changing global trade, the next consideration is regarding the practical steps that can be taken to win in Africa, Asia and LATAM.
We have broken the essentials down as under:
<h3>&nbsp; &nbsp;1. Tailor Materials to Local Conditions</h3>
In many of these markets, road and climate conditions vary widely. Research confirms that flexible and low-carbon packaging is gaining ground in Asia and LATAM. This means your cardboard boxes and custom packaging should be optimised for both durability and sustainability. Offer options with moisture-resistant coatings or recycled fibres. They help products stay safe and align with local green standards.
<h3>&nbsp; &nbsp;2. Leverage Sustainability to Sell Value</h3>
Brands in LATAM and Asia are increasingly aiming to switch to eco-friendly materials. For example, companies in Chile are already using 100% plastic-free paper sourced from sugar cane (Euromonitor, 2021).&nbsp;Packaging manufacturers&nbsp;can differentiate by highlighting such features as recyclability and FSC-certified cardboard. Positioning products and services to be more sustainability can help meet the evolving regulations and brand needs.
<h3>&nbsp; &nbsp;3. Build Local Partnerships and Channels</h3>
Reports from ITC suggest that digital printing and shared packaging hubs would unlock growth in Africa (Intracen Org, 2018). Working with local distributors, printers, or converters lets you tap into existing networks. These partnerships help you meet specific demands. You can integrate traceability features, branding, or different box sizes quickly and without heavy local investment.
<h3>&nbsp; &nbsp;4. Enter Regional Trade Events</h3>
Conferences like Sustainability in Packaging Asia and Sustainability in Packaging Latin America are becoming increasingly popular. These conferences gather manufacturers, brand companies, and packaging innovators. Attending or exhibiting gives you access to buyers who want custom boxes built for export, rather than plain bulk solutions.
<h3>&nbsp; &nbsp;5. Offer Smart or Active Packaging</h3>
&ldquo;Smart packaging&rdquo; is the next frontier, especially in LATAM. The Latin American smart packaging market was worth&nbsp;USD 1.19 billion in 2024&nbsp;and is growing at&nbsp;6.4% yearly through 2031&nbsp;(Precision Business Insights, 2025). These boxes use QR codes, freshness sensors, or tamper evidence. Get ahead of this not-yet-saturated trend and cater to food or pharma exporters who need added logistics protection or consumer engagement.
<h2>Conclusion</h2>
Africa, Asia, and Latin America are now successful trade regions with an increasing demand for intelligent, customised packaging. With new corridors opening up and exports increasing, the demand for custom packaging, cardboard boxes, and region-specific solutions will continue to grow.
If you&rsquo;re ready to move into these high-potential regions, now is the time. Contact&nbsp;<a href="https://themailerbox.com/">The Mailer Box</a> to design packaging of world-class quality that addresses regional requirements and differentiates your brand.

There are new opportunities for custom packaging in the Asian, African and LATAM markets. But what does this mean for the packaging industry?

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