Asia: Plain Postcard Market 2025

Plain Postcard Market Size in Asia

In 2021, after two years of decline, there was growth in the Asian plain postcard market, when its value increased by 4.7% to $X. The total consumption indicated a buoyant increase from 2012 to 2021: its value increased at an average annual rate of +5.2% over the last nine-year period. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2021 figures, consumption decreased by -16.5% against 2018 indices. Over the period under review, the market reached the peak level at $X in 2018; however, from 2019 to 2021, consumption stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Plain Postcard Production in Asia

In value terms, plain postcard production expanded modestly to $X in 2021 estimated in export price. The total production indicated a moderate increase from 2012 to 2021: its value increased at an average annual rate of +4.4% over the last nine-year period. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2021 figures, production decreased by -18.9% against 2018 indices. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2017 when the production volume increased by 27%. The level of production peaked at $X in 2018; however, from 2019 to 2021, production failed to regain momentum.

Plain Postcard Exports

Exports in Asia

In 2021, shipments abroad of letter cards, plain postcards and correspondence cards increased by 45% to X tons for the first time since 2014, thus ending a six-year declining trend. Over the period under review, exports, however, recorded a deep contraction. The volume of export peaked at X tons in 2014; however, from 2015 to 2021, the exports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

In value terms, plain postcard exports skyrocketed to $X in 2021. In general, exports, however, showed a deep slump. The level of export peaked at $X in 2014; however, from 2015 to 2021, the exports remained at a lower figure.

Exports by Country

China represented the main exporter of letter cards, plain postcards and correspondence cards in Asia, with the volume of exports recording X tons, which was near 58% of total exports in 2021. India (X tons) held the second position in the ranking, distantly followed by Malaysia (X tons). All these countries together held near 32% share of total exports. The following exporters - Singapore (X tons) and Indonesia (X tons) - each resulted at a 3.3% share of total exports.

Exports from China decreased at an average annual rate of -10.3% from 2012 to 2021. At the same time, India (+36.3%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, India emerged as the fastest-growing exporter exported in Asia, with a CAGR of +36.3% from 2012-2021. By contrast, Singapore (-1.7%), Malaysia (-2.3%) and Indonesia (-23.5%) illustrated a downward trend over the same period. India (+26 p.p.) and Malaysia (+2.1 p.p.) significantly strengthened its position in terms of the total exports, while Indonesia and China saw its share reduced by -6.3% and -13.5% from 2012 to 2021, respectively. The shares of the other countries remained relatively stable throughout the analyzed period.

In value terms, China ($X) remains the largest plain postcard supplier in Asia, comprising 62% of total exports. The second position in the ranking was held by India ($X), with a 13% share of total exports. It was followed by Malaysia, with a 5.7% share.

In China, plain postcard exports shrank by an average annual rate of -6.2% over the period from 2012-2021. The remaining exporting countries recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: India (+40.9% per year) and Malaysia (+3.0% per year).

Export Prices by Country

In 2021, the export price in Asia amounted to $X per ton, growing by 2.4% against the previous year. Over the period from 2012 to 2021, it increased at an average annual rate of +1.9%. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2013 an increase of 9.8%. The level of export peaked in 2021 and is likely to continue growth in years to come.

There were significant differences in the average prices amongst the major exporting countries. In 2021, amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was Singapore ($X per ton), while India ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Malaysia (+5.4%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Plain Postcard Imports

Imports in Asia

In 2021, the amount of letter cards, plain postcards and correspondence cards imported in Asia surged to X tons, growing by 75% on 2020 figures. In general, imports, however, saw a abrupt contraction. The volume of import peaked at X tons in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2021, imports remained at a lower figure.

In value terms, plain postcard imports surged to $X in 2021. Over the period under review, imports, however, showed a mild downturn. Over the period under review, imports hit record highs at $X in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2021, imports remained at a lower figure.

Imports by Country

In 2021, South Korea (X tons) was the largest importer of letter cards, plain postcards and correspondence cards, generating 37% of total imports. It was distantly followed by Singapore (X tons), Myanmar (X tons) and Japan (X tons), together constituting a 32% share of total imports. Hong Kong SAR (X tons), the United Arab Emirates (X tons), Malaysia (X tons), Taiwan (Chinese) (X tons), Yemen (X tons), Brunei Darussalam (X tons), Cyprus (X tons) and Cambodia (X tons) followed a long way behind the leaders.

From 2012 to 2021, average annual rates of growth with regard to plain postcard imports into South Korea stood at +11.4%. At the same time, Myanmar (+56.7%), Yemen (+45.3%), Cambodia (+29.8%), Cyprus (+29.6%), Taiwan (Chinese) (+11.8%), Brunei Darussalam (+9.9%) and Singapore (+8.3%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, Myanmar emerged as the fastest-growing importer imported in Asia, with a CAGR of +56.7% from 2012-2021. By contrast, Japan (-3.6%), the United Arab Emirates (-13.5%), Malaysia (-14.2%) and Hong Kong SAR (-25.9%) illustrated a downward trend over the same period. From 2012 to 2021, the share of South Korea, Singapore, Myanmar, Yemen, Cyprus, Cambodia and Taiwan (Chinese) increased by +29, +13, +8.8, +1.9, +1.7, +1.6 and +1.5 percentage points, respectively. The shares of the other countries remained relatively stable throughout the analyzed period.

In value terms, the largest plain postcard importing markets in Asia were Singapore ($X), South Korea ($X) and Japan ($X), together comprising 60% of total imports. These countries were followed by Yemen, the United Arab Emirates, Taiwan (Chinese), Myanmar, Hong Kong SAR, Cyprus, Malaysia, Cambodia and Brunei Darussalam, which together accounted for a further 26%.

Among the main importing countries, Yemen, with a CAGR of +80.5%, saw the highest rates of growth with regard to the value of imports, over the period under review, while purchases for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Import Prices by Country

The import price in Asia stood at $X per ton in 2021, waning by -1.9% against the previous year. Over the period from 2012 to 2021, it increased at an average annual rate of +4.6%. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2017 an increase of 42%. As a result, import price attained the peak level of $X per ton. From 2018 to 2021, the import prices remained at a somewhat lower figure.

Prices varied noticeably by country of destination: amid the top importers, the country with the highest price was Yemen ($X per ton), while Myanmar ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Yemen (+24.2%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Platform

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