U.S. Primary Battery Imports Surpass $1B, Increasing for Third Consecutive Year

IndexBox has just published a new report: 'U.S. Primary Battery Market. Analysis And Forecast to 2025'. Here is a summary of the report's key findings.

In 2021, the U.S. primary battery market increased by 4.6% to $1.4B, rising for the second consecutive year after two years of decline. In general, consumption saw a mild curtailment. Primary battery consumption peaked at $1.5B in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2021, consumption failed to regain the momentum.

U.S. Primary Battery Production 

In value terms, primary battery production reduced to $2.2B in 2021 (IndexBox estimates). Overall, production showed a abrupt slump. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2019 when the production volume increased by 13% year-to-year. Over the period under review, production hit record highs at $3.9B in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2021, production failed to regain the momentum. 

U.S. Primary Battery Imports 

Primary battery imports into the U.S. amounted to 4.9B units in 2021, picking up by 2% against 2020. In general, total imports indicated a prominent increase from 2013 to 2021: its volume increased at an average annual rate of +8.1% over the last eight years. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2020 with an increase of 20% y-o-y. Over the period under review, imports reached the peak figure in 2021 and are likely to see steady growth in the immediate term.

In value terms, primary battery imports expanded notably to $1B in 2021. The total import value increased at an average annual rate of +5.1% from 2013 to 2021; however, the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2017 with an increase of 19% against the previous year. Over the period under review, imports reached the peak figure at $1B in 2018; afterwards, it flattened through to 2021.

Imports by Country

In 2021, China (2.3B units) constituted the largest supplier of primary battery to the U.S., accounting for a 48% share of total imports. Moreover, primary battery imports from China exceeded the figures recorded by the second-largest supplier, Indonesia (777M units), threefold. The third position in this ranking was occupied by Singapore (621M units), with a 13% share.

From 2013 to 2021, the average annual rate of growth in terms of volume from China amounted to +4.4%. The remaining supplying countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: Indonesia (+12.1% per year) and Singapore (+28.8% per year).

In value terms, China ($331M), Singapore ($183M) and Japan ($89M) appeared to be the largest primary battery suppliers to the U.S., together comprising 58% of total imports.

Import Prices by Country

In 2021, the average primary battery import price amounted to $0.2 per unit, growing by 4.6% against the previous year. There were significant differences in the average prices amongst the major supplying countries. In 2021, the country with the highest price was Malaysia ($0.4 per unit), while the price for Indonesia ($0.1 per unit) was amongst the lowest. From 2013 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by China, while the prices for the other major suppliers experienced a decline.

U.S. Primary Battery Exports 

For the eighth year in a row, the U.S. recorded decline in shipments abroad of primary batteries, which decreased by -12.5% to 609M units in 2021. Over the period under review, exports hit record highs at 961M units in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2021, exports failed to regain the momentum. 

In value terms, primary battery exports contracted modestly to $800M in 2021. In general, exports continue to indicate a mild decrease. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2019 with an increase of 11% against the previous year. As a result, exports attained the peak of $940M. from 2020 to 2021, the growth exports remained at a lower figure.

Exports by Country

Canada (240M units) was the main destination for primary battery exports from the U.S., with a 39% share of total supplies. Moreover, primary battery exports to Canada exceeded the volume sent to the second major destination, Mexico (111M units), twofold. The third position in this ranking was taken by Poland (64M units), with a 11% share.

In value terms, Canada ($150M), Mexico ($127M) and Singapore ($52M) were the largest markets for primary battery exported from the U.S. worldwide, with a combined 41% share of total supplies. Poland, Belgium, Chile, Venezuela and Panama lagged somewhat behind, together comprising a further 8.5%.

Poland recorded the highest rates of growth with regard to the value of exports, in terms of the main countries of destination over the period under review, while shipments for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Export Prices by Country

The average primary battery export price stood at $1.3 per unit in 2021, increasing by 12% against the previous year. Prices varied noticeably by the country of destination; the country with the highest price was Singapore ($2.8 per unit), while the average price for exports to Venezuela ($0.3 per unit) was amongst the lowest. From 2013 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was recorded for supplies to Singapore, while the prices for the other major destinations experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Market Intelligence Platform