Asia-Pacific: Plain Postcard Market 2025

Plain Postcard Market Size in Asia-Pacific

The Asia-Pacific plain postcard market was finally on the rise to reach $X in 2021, after two years of decline. The total consumption indicated a measured increase from 2012 to 2021: its value increased at an average annual rate of +4.6% 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 -19.8% against 2018 indices. The level of consumption peaked at $X in 2018; however, from 2019 to 2021, consumption stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Plain Postcard Production in Asia-Pacific

In value terms, plain postcard production totaled $X in 2021 estimated in export price. The total production indicated notable growth from 2012 to 2021: its value increased at an average annual rate of +4.2% over the last nine-year period. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2021 figures, production decreased by -20.4% against 2018 indices. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2017 when the production volume increased by 29%. Over the period under review, production hit record highs at $X in 2018; however, from 2019 to 2021, production remained at a lower figure.

Plain Postcard Exports

Exports in Asia-Pacific

After six years of decline, overseas shipments of letter cards, plain postcards and correspondence cards increased by 46% to X tons in 2021. Overall, exports, however, continue to indicate a abrupt shrinkage. Over the period under review, the exports hit record highs at X tons in 2014; however, from 2015 to 2021, the exports remained at a lower figure.

In value terms, plain postcard exports surged to $X in 2021. Over the period under review, exports, however, recorded a drastic downturn. 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 was the major exporting country with an export of about X tons, which finished at 58% of total exports. India (X tons) held the second position in the ranking, distantly followed by Malaysia (X tons). All these countries together held approx. 32% share of total exports. The following exporters - Australia (X tons), Singapore (X tons) and Indonesia (X tons) - each finished at a 5.3% share of total exports.

From 2012 to 2021, average annual rates of growth with regard to plain postcard exports from China stood at -10.3%. At the same time, India (+36.3%) and Australia (+12.3%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, India emerged as the fastest-growing exporter exported in Asia-Pacific, 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. While the share of India (+26 p.p.), Malaysia (+2 p.p.) and Australia (+1.6 p.p.) increased significantly in terms of the total exports from 2012-2021, the share of Indonesia (-6.8 p.p.) and China (-18 p.p.) displayed negative dynamics. The shares of the other countries remained relatively stable throughout the analyzed period.

In value terms, China ($X) remains the largest plain postcard supplier in Asia-Pacific, comprising 60% of total exports. The second position in the ranking was taken by India ($X), with a 13% share of total exports. It was followed by Malaysia, with a 5.6% share.

In China, plain postcard exports declined by an average annual rate of -6.2% over the period from 2012-2021. In the other countries, the average annual rates were as follows: India (+40.9% per year) and Malaysia (+3.0% per year).

Export Prices by Country

In 2021, the export price in Asia-Pacific amounted to $X per ton, increasing by 4.5% against the previous year. Over the period from 2012 to 2021, it increased at an average annual rate of +2.6%. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2020 an increase of 17%. The level of export peaked in 2021 and is likely to continue growth in the near future.

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 Australia ($X per ton), while India ($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-Pacific

In 2021, approx. X tons of letter cards, plain postcards and correspondence cards were imported in Asia-Pacific; rising by 71% against the previous year's figure. Overall, imports, however, continue to indicate a abrupt decrease. The volume of import peaked at X tons in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2021, imports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

In value terms, plain postcard imports soared to $X in 2021. Over the period under review, imports, however, showed a slight contraction. The level of import peaked at $X in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2021, imports remained at a lower figure.

Imports by Country

In 2021, South Korea (X tons) represented the largest importer of letter cards, plain postcards and correspondence cards, comprising 37% of total imports. It was distantly followed by Singapore (X tons), Myanmar (X tons), Australia (X tons) and Japan (X tons), together mixing up a 41% share of total imports. Hong Kong SAR (X tons), New Zealand (X tons), Malaysia (X tons), Taiwan (Chinese) (X tons), Brunei Darussalam (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%), Cambodia (+29.8%), New Zealand (+13.2%), 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-Pacific, with a CAGR of +56.7% from 2012-2021. By contrast, Japan (-3.6%), Australia (-12.6%), Malaysia (-14.2%) and Hong Kong SAR (-25.9%) illustrated a downward trend over the same period. South Korea (+29 p.p.), Singapore (+13 p.p.), Myanmar (+8.9 p.p.), New Zealand (+2 p.p.), Cambodia (+1.7 p.p.) and Taiwan (Chinese) (+1.5 p.p.) significantly strengthened its position in terms of the total imports, while Malaysia, Australia and Hong Kong SAR saw its share reduced by -3.1%, -7.4% and -29.5% from 2012 to 2021, respectively. The shares of the other countries remained relatively stable throughout the analyzed period.

In value terms, Singapore ($X), South Korea ($X) and Australia ($X) were the countries with the highest levels of imports in 2021, together accounting for 62% of total imports. These countries were followed by Japan, New Zealand, Taiwan (Chinese), Myanmar, Hong Kong SAR, Malaysia, Cambodia and Brunei Darussalam, which together accounted for a further 29%.

Among the main importing countries, Myanmar, with a CAGR of +41.2%, recorded the highest growth rate of 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

In 2021, the import price in Asia-Pacific amounted to $X per ton, with a decrease of -4.9% against the previous year. Import price indicated a buoyant expansion from 2012 to 2021: its price increased at an average annual rate of +5.2% over the last nine years. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2021 figures, plain postcard import price decreased by -5.9% against 2017 indices. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2017 when the import price increased by 61% against the previous year. As a result, import price reached the peak level of $X per ton. From 2018 to 2021, the import prices failed to regain momentum.

There were significant differences in the average prices amongst the major importing countries. In 2021, amid the top importers, the country with the highest price was Japan ($X per ton), while Myanmar ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Hong Kong SAR (+9.7%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Platform

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