Asia-Pacific: Wadding Market 2025

Wadding Market Size in Asia-Pacific

In 2021, the Asia-Pacific wadding market decreased by -0.3% to $X, falling for the second consecutive year after two years of growth. The market value increased at an average annual rate of +3.1% from 2012 to 2021; however, the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded in certain years. As a result, consumption attained the peak level of $X. From 2020 to 2021, the growth of the market failed to regain momentum.

Wadding Production in Asia-Pacific

In value terms, wadding production reduced modestly to $X in 2021 estimated in export price. The total output value increased at an average annual rate of +3.3% over the period from 2012 to 2021; however, the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2016 with an increase of 15%. Over the period under review, production attained the peak level at $X in 2020, and then declined modestly in the following year.

Wadding Exports

Exports in Asia-Pacific

After two years of decline, overseas shipments of wadding increased by 5.7% to X tons in 2021. The total export volume increased at an average annual rate of +1.4% from 2012 to 2021; however, the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2017 when exports increased by 27% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the exports reached the peak figure at X tons in 2018; however, from 2019 to 2021, the exports failed to regain momentum.

In value terms, wadding exports rose rapidly to $X in 2021. The total export value increased at an average annual rate of +3.8% from 2012 to 2021; however, the trend pattern remained relatively stable, with somewhat noticeable fluctuations being observed throughout the analyzed period. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2014 with an increase of 11% against the previous year. The level of export peaked in 2021 and is expected to retain growth in years to come.

Exports by Country

In 2021, China (X tons) represented the largest exporter of wadding, achieving 53% of total exports. It was distantly followed by India (X tons), Thailand (X tons), South Korea (X tons) and Japan (X tons), together generating a 30% share of total exports. The following exporters - Malaysia (X tons) and Vietnam (X tons) - each amounted to a 7.8% share of total exports.

China experienced a relatively flat trend pattern with regard to volume of exports of wadding. At the same time, Malaysia (+24.6%), Vietnam (+7.5%), India (+5.8%), Thailand (+4.7%), South Korea (+4.0%) and Japan (+1.5%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, Malaysia emerged as the fastest-growing exporter exported in Asia-Pacific, with a CAGR of +24.6% from 2012-2021. India (+3.9 p.p.), Malaysia (+3.4 p.p.), Thailand (+2 p.p.) and Vietnam (+1.6 p.p.) significantly strengthened its position in terms of the total exports, while China saw its share reduced by -5.8% from 2012 to 2021, respectively. The shares of the other countries remained relatively stable throughout the analyzed period.

In value terms, China ($X) remains the largest wadding supplier in Asia-Pacific, comprising 47% of total exports. The second position in the ranking was taken by South Korea ($X), with a 13% share of total exports. It was followed by Japan, with a 9% share.

From 2012 to 2021, the average annual growth rate of value in China amounted to +4.4%. The remaining exporting countries recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: South Korea (+11.8% per year) and Japan (+1.4% per year).

Export Prices by Country

In 2021, the export price in Asia-Pacific amounted to $X per ton, growing by 2.8% against the previous year. Over the last nine-year period, it increased at an average annual rate of +2.3%. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2013 an increase of 22% against the previous year. The level of export peaked in 2021 and is likely to see steady growth in the near future.

Prices varied noticeably country of origin: the country with the highest price was South Korea ($X per ton), while Malaysia ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by South Korea (+7.5%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Wadding Imports

Imports in Asia-Pacific

In 2021, overseas purchases of wadding decreased by -0.4% to X tons, falling for the second year in a row after three years of growth. In general, imports, however, recorded a relatively flat trend pattern. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2017 with an increase of 13%. The volume of import peaked at X tons in 2019; however, from 2020 to 2021, imports remained at a lower figure.

In value terms, wadding imports expanded rapidly to $X in 2021. The total import value increased at an average annual rate of +2.1% from 2012 to 2021; the trend pattern remained consistent, with somewhat noticeable fluctuations being observed in certain years. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2017 when imports increased by 16%. The level of import peaked at $X in 2019; however, from 2020 to 2021, imports remained at a lower figure.

Imports by Country

China (X tons), Japan (X tons) and South Korea (X tons) represented roughly 39% of total imports in 2021. Taiwan (Chinese) (X tons) held the next position in the ranking, followed by Vietnam (X tons), Myanmar (X tons), the Philippines (X tons), Hong Kong SAR (X tons) and Australia (X tons). All these countries together held near 35% share of total imports. The following importers - India (X tons), Indonesia (X tons), Bangladesh (X tons) and Singapore (X tons) - together made up 14% of total imports.

From 2012 to 2021, the biggest increases were recorded for Bangladesh (with a CAGR of +22.2%), while purchases for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, the largest wadding importing markets in Asia-Pacific were China ($X), South Korea ($X) and Japan ($X), together comprising 45% of total imports. Taiwan (Chinese), Vietnam, Indonesia, Hong Kong SAR, the Philippines, Australia, India, Myanmar, Singapore and Bangladesh lagged somewhat behind, together comprising a further 46%.

Among the main importing countries, India, with a CAGR of +19.7%, 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-Pacific stood at $X per ton in 2021, picking up by 7.2% against the previous year. Over the last nine-year period, it increased at an average annual rate of +1.4%. As a result, import price reached the peak level and is likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

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

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by the Philippines (+8.3%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Platform