China's Photo Camera Exports Surge by 11%, Hitting $274 Million in 2023

China Photo Camera Exports

In 2023, overseas shipments of photographic (other than cinematographic) cameras increased by 7.3% to 15M units, rising for the third year in a row after two years of decline. In general, exports saw a relatively flat trend pattern. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2018 with an increase of 30% against the previous year. The exports peaked at 15M units in 2014; afterwards, it flattened through to 2023.

In value terms, photo camera exports expanded rapidly to $274M (IndexBox estimates) in 2023. Overall, total exports indicated a buoyant expansion from 2013 to 2023: its value increased at an average annual rate of +5.2% over the last decade. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2023 figures, exports increased by +74.7% against 2020 indices. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2021 when exports increased by 43% against the previous year. The exports peaked in 2023 and are expected to retain growth in the near future.

Exports by Country

the United States (3.6M units), Germany (2.7M units) and Australia (1.7M units) were the main destinations of photo camera exports from China, together accounting for 54% of total exports. Hong Kong, the Netherlands, Japan, Singapore, the United Arab Emirates and India lagged somewhat behind, together accounting for a further 23%.

From 2013 to 2023, the most notable rate of growth in terms of shipments, amongst the main countries of destination, was attained by Singapore (with a CAGR of +25.7%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, the United States ($60M), the Netherlands ($36M) and Japan ($21M) were the largest markets for photo camera exported from China worldwide, together accounting for 43% of total exports. Australia, India, Singapore, Hong Kong, Germany and the United Arab Emirates lagged somewhat behind, together comprising a further 32%.

In terms of the main countries of destination, Singapore, with a CAGR of +18.0%, saw the highest rates of growth with regard to the value of exports, over the period under review, while shipments for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Exports by Type

Cameras, photographic (excluding cinematographic); of a kind (not SLR) for roll film of a width of 35mm (7.6M units), cameras, photographic (excluding cinematographic); instant print cameras (4.2M units) and cameras, photographic (excluding cinematographic); of a kind (not SLR) for roll film n.e.s. in heading no. 9006 (1.9M units) were the main products of photo camera exports from China, together accounting for 94% of total exports. Cameras, photographic (excluding cinematographic); of a kind (not SLR) for roll film of a width less than 35mm, cameras, photographic (excluding cinematographic); with a through-the-lens viewfinder, single lens reflex (SLR), for a roll film of a width not exceeding 35mm and cameras, photographic (excluding cinematographic); specially designed for underwater use, aerial survey, medical or surgical examination of internal organs; comparison cameras for forensic or criminological use lagged somewhat behind, together comprising a further 6%.

From 2013 to 2023, the most notable rate of growth in terms of shipments, amongst the major product types, was attained by cameras, photographic (excluding cinematographic); specially designed for underwater use, aerial survey, medical or surgical examination of internal organs; comparison cameras for forensic or criminological use (with a CAGR of +58.4%), while the other products experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, cameras, photographic (excluding cinematographic); instant print cameras ($185M) remains the largest type of photographic (other than cinematographic) cameras exported from China, comprising 68% of total exports. The second position in the ranking was held by cameras, photographic (excluding cinematographic); of a kind (not SLR) for roll film n.e.s. in heading no. 9006 ($41M), with a 15% share of total exports. It was followed by cameras, photographic (excluding cinematographic); of a kind (not SLR) for roll film of a width of 35mm, with an 11% share.

From 2013 to 2023, the average annual rate of growth in terms of the value of cameras, photographic (excluding cinematographic); instant print cameras exports totaled +3.0%. With regard to the other exported products, the following average annual rates of growth were recorded: cameras, photographic (excluding cinematographic); of a kind (not SLR) for roll film n.e.s. in heading no. 9006 (+39.4% per year) and cameras, photographic (excluding cinematographic); of a kind (not SLR) for roll film of a width of 35mm (+2.9% per year).

Export Prices by Country

In 2023, the photo camera price amounted to $18 per unit (FOB, China), growing by 3.2% against the previous year. Overall, export price indicated a noticeable increase from 2013 to 2023: its price increased at an average annual rate of +4.4% over the last decade. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2023 figures, photo camera export price increased by +17.6% against 2020 indices. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2015 when the average export price increased by 32%. The export price peaked at $25 per unit in 2017; however, from 2018 to 2023, the export prices failed to regain momentum.

Prices varied noticeably by country of destination: amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was the Netherlands ($43 per unit), while the average price for exports to Germany ($5.2 per unit) was amongst the lowest.

From 2013 to 2023, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was recorded for supplies to Canada (+13.8%), while the prices for the other major destinations experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Market Intelligence Platform