Belgium: Plain Postcard Market 2024

Plain Postcard Market Size in Belgium

The Belgian plain postcard market dropped notably to $X in 2021, with a decrease of -67.3% against the previous year. In general, consumption, however, saw resilient growth. As a result, consumption attained the peak level of $X, and then shrank remarkably in the following year.

Plain Postcard Production in Belgium

In value terms, plain postcard production stood at $X in 2021 estimated in export price. In general, production continues to indicate a relatively flat trend pattern. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2016 when the production volume increased by 421% against the previous year. Plain postcard production peaked at $X in 2018; however, from 2019 to 2021, production remained at a lower figure.

Plain Postcard Exports

Exports from Belgium

In 2021, the amount of letter cards, plain postcards and correspondence cards exported from Belgium expanded slightly to X tons, surging by 2.2% against the previous year. Overall, exports continue to indicate prominent growth. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2020 when exports increased by 220%. The exports peaked in 2021 and are likely to continue growth in the near future.

In value terms, plain postcard exports rose to $X in 2021. In general, exports posted a resilient expansion. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2018 when exports increased by 198%. The exports peaked in 2021 and are likely to see gradual growth in the immediate term.

Exports by Country

France (X tons), Germany (X tons) and the Netherlands (X tons) were the main destinations of plain postcard exports from Belgium, with a combined 77% share of total exports. Italy, Poland, the UK and Spain lagged somewhat behind, together accounting for a further 14%.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of shipments, amongst the main countries of destination, was attained by Italy (with a CAGR of +109.2%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, France ($X) emerged as the key foreign market for letter cards, plain postcards and correspondence cards exports from Belgium, comprising 43% of total exports. The second position in the ranking was taken by Germany ($X), with an 18% share of total exports. It was followed by the Netherlands, with an 8.2% share.

From 2012 to 2021, the average annual rate of growth in terms of value to France totaled +17.7%. Exports to the other major destinations recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: Germany (+6.1% per year) and the Netherlands (-3.6% per year).

Export Prices by Country

The average plain postcard export price stood at $X per ton in 2021, rising by 2.6% against the previous year. In general, the export price, however, saw a slight curtailment. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2018 an increase of 57%. As a result, the export price attained the peak level of $X per ton. From 2019 to 2021, the average export prices failed to regain momentum.

Prices varied noticeably by country of destination: amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was the UK ($X per ton), while the average price for exports to the Netherlands ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was recorded for supplies to the UK (+9.8%), while the prices for the other major destinations experienced mixed trend patterns.

Plain Postcard Imports

Imports into Belgium

After four years of growth, supplies from abroad of letter cards, plain postcards and correspondence cards decreased by -74.8% to X tons in 2021. In general, imports, however, recorded a prominent expansion. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2020 with an increase of 522%. As a result, imports reached the peak of X tons, and then fell markedly in the following year.

In value terms, plain postcard imports skyrocketed to $X in 2021. Overall, imports, however, recorded resilient growth. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2018 when imports increased by 135% against the previous year. Imports peaked at $X in 2014; afterwards, it flattened through to 2021.

Imports by Country

In 2021, China (X tons) constituted the largest plain postcard supplier to Belgium, with a 62% share of total imports. Moreover, plain postcard imports from China exceeded the figures recorded by the second-largest supplier, the Netherlands (X tons), fivefold. The UK (X tons) ranked third in terms of total imports with an 11% share.

From 2012 to 2021, the average annual rate of growth in terms of volume from China stood at +34.7%. The remaining supplying countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: the Netherlands (-1.3% per year) and the UK (+4.2% per year).

In value terms, China ($X) constituted the largest supplier of letter cards, plain postcards and correspondence cards to Belgium, comprising 63% of total imports. The second position in the ranking was taken by the UK ($X), with an 11% share of total imports. It was followed by the Netherlands, with an 11% share.

From 2012 to 2021, the average annual rate of growth in terms of value from China stood at +38.4%. The remaining supplying countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: the UK (+0.7% per year) and the Netherlands (-7.1% per year).

Import Prices by Country

The average plain postcard import price stood at $X per ton in 2021, surging by 450% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the import price, however, recorded a drastic downturn. Over the period under review, average import prices attained the maximum at $X per ton in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2021, import prices remained at a lower figure.

There were significant differences in the average prices amongst the major supplying countries. In 2021, amid the top importers, the country with the highest price was the Czech Republic ($X per ton), while the price for Luxembourg ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by China (+2.7%), while the prices for the other major suppliers experienced mixed trend patterns.

Source: IndexBox Platform

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