Slovakia, China and Algeria are the Main Suppliers of Gauze to the UK

IndexBox has just published a new report: 'United Kingdom - Gauze (Excluding Medical Gauze) - Market Analysis, Forecast, Size, Trends And Insights'. Here is a summary of the report's key findings.

The revenue of the gauze market in the UK amounted to $2.9M in 2018, increasing by 5.5% against the previous year. This figure reflects the total revenues of producers and importers (excluding logistics costs, retail marketing costs, and retailers' margins, which will be included in the final consumer price). In general, gauze consumption continues to indicate a buoyant increase.

Production in the UK

In 2018, the gauze production in the UK stood at 316K square meters. Overall, gauze production continues to indicate a noticeable downturn. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2010 when production volume increased by 45% against the previous year. Over the period under review, gauze production reached its peak figure volume at 596K square meters in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2018, production failed to regain its momentum.

In value terms, gauze production stood at $2.5M in 2018. In general, the total output indicated a remarkable increase from 2008 to 2018: its value decreased at an average annual rate of -3.7% over the last decade. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2018 figures, gauze production increased by +138.4% against 2009 indices. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2010 with an increase of 44% against the previous year. Gauze production peaked in 2018 and is likely to continue its growth in the immediate term.

Exports from the UK

In 2018, the gauze exports from the UK totaled 30K square meters, remaining relatively unchanged against the previous year. In general, gauze exports continue to indicate a mild contraction. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2009 when exports increased by 372% against the previous year. Over the period under review, gauze exports attained their peak figure at 170K square meters in 2010; however, from 2011 to 2018, exports failed to regain their momentum.

In value terms, gauze exports amounted to $660K (IndexBox estimates) in 2018. Overall, gauze exports continue to indicate a drastic downturn. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2012 when exports increased by 79% against the previous year. Exports peaked at $2.5M in 2010; however, from 2011 to 2018, exports remained at a lower figure.

Exports by Country

Slovakia (11K square meters), the U.S. (10K square meters) and Sweden (1.8K square meters) were the main destinations of gauze exports from the UK, with a combined 76% share of total exports. These countries were followed by Ireland, Nigeria, Canada and the United Arab Emirates, which together accounted for a further 11%.

From 2008 to 2018, the most notable rate of growth in terms of exports, amongst the main countries of destination, was attained by Nigeria, while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, the largest markets for gauze exported from the UK were Slovakia ($216K), the U.S. ($206K) and Ireland ($13K), together comprising 66% of total exports.

The U.S. recorded the highest growth rate of exports, among the main countries of destination over the last decade, while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Export Prices by Country

The average gauze export price stood at $22 per square meter in 2018, jumping by 66% against the previous year. Overall, the gauze export price, however, continues to indicate a noticeable deduction. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2014 when the average export price increased by 192% year-to-year. In that year, the average export prices for gauze (excluding medical gauze) reached their peak level of $46 per square meter. From 2015 to 2018, the growth in terms of the average export prices for gauze (excluding medical gauze) remained at a somewhat lower figure.

Prices varied noticeably by the country of destination; the country with the highest price was Slovakia ($20 per square meter), while the average price for exports to Nigeria ($1.5 per square meter) was amongst the lowest.

From 2008 to 2018, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was recorded for supplies to Canada, while the prices for the other major destinations experienced mixed trend patterns.

Imports into the UK

In 2018, the imports of gauze (excluding medical gauze) into the UK totaled 130K square meters, going down by -2.6% against the previous year. In general, gauze imports, however, continue to indicate a prominent expansion. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2010 with an increase of 814% against the previous year. Imports peaked at 133K square meters in 2017, and then declined slightly in the following year.

In value terms, gauze imports totaled $1.3M (IndexBox estimates) in 2018. Overall, the total imports indicated a pronounced increase from 2008 to 2018: its value increased at an average annual rate of +9.9% over the last decade. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2018 figures, gauze imports increased by +122.7% against 2012 indices. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2013 when imports increased by 39% y-o-y. Imports peaked in 2018 and are likely to see steady growth in the near future.

Imports by Country

Slovakia (55K square meters), China (36K square meters) and Algeria (25K square meters) were the main suppliers of gauze imports to the UK, with a combined 89% share of total imports.

From 2008 to 2018, the most notable rate of growth in terms of imports, amongst the main suppliers, was attained by China, while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, Slovakia ($1M) constituted the largest supplier of gauze to the UK, comprising 75% of total gauze imports. The second position in the ranking was occupied by China ($142K), with a 11% share of total imports. It was followed by Algeria, with a 4.2% share.

From 2008 to 2018, the average annual rate of growth in terms of value from Slovakia was relatively modest. The remaining supplying countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: China (+36.5% per year) and Algeria (+37.7% per year).

Import Prices by Country

In 2018, the average gauze import price amounted to $10 per square meter, picking up by 7.2% against the previous year. In general, the gauze import price, however, continues to indicate an abrupt reduction. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2009 an increase of 421% year-to-year. In that year, the average import prices for gauze (excluding medical gauze) attained their peak level of $101 per square meter. From 2010 to 2018, the growth in terms of the average import prices for gauze (excluding medical gauze) failed to regain its momentum.

Prices varied noticeably by the country of origin; the country with the highest price was Slovakia ($18 per square meter), while the price for Algeria ($2.3 per square meter) was amongst the lowest.

From 2008 to 2018, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Algeria, while the prices for the other major suppliers experienced a decline.

Source: IndexBox Market Intelligence Platform