China: Ink Market 2024

Ink Market Size in China

After two years of growth, the Chinese ink market decreased by -9.4% to $X in 2021. The market value increased at an average annual rate of +3.1% over the period from 2012 to 2021; however, the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded in certain years. Over the period under review, the market attained the maximum level at $X in 2016; however, from 2017 to 2021, consumption remained at a lower figure.

Ink Production in China

In value terms, ink production shrank modestly to $X in 2021 estimated in export price. The total output value increased at an average annual rate of +3.4% over the period from 2012 to 2021; however, the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded in certain years. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2014 with an increase of 13% against the previous year. Over the period under review, production attained the maximum level at $X in 2016; however, from 2017 to 2021, production remained at a lower figure.

Ink Exports

Exports from China

In 2021, shipments abroad of inks (excluding printing ink) increased by 18% to X tons, rising for the sixth consecutive year after three years of decline. Over the period under review, total exports indicated a resilient expansion from 2012 to 2021: its volume increased at an average annual rate of +5.7% over the last nine-year period. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2021 figures, exports increased by +104.5% against 2015 indices. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2019 with an increase of 21% against the previous year. The exports peaked in 2021 and are likely to see gradual growth in the immediate term.

In value terms, ink exports surged to $X in 2021. Overall, total exports indicated strong growth from 2012 to 2021: its value increased at an average annual rate of +5.4% over the last nine-year period. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2021 figures, exports increased by +51.3% against 2018 indices. As a result, the exports reached the peak and are likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

Exports by Country

Vietnam (X tons), India (X tons) and Pakistan (X tons) were the main destinations of ink exports from China, together accounting for 31% of total exports.

From 2012 to 2021, the biggest increases were recorded for Pakistan (with a CAGR of +28.0%), while shipments for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, the largest markets for ink exported from China were Vietnam ($X), Pakistan ($X) and India ($X), together accounting for 25% of total exports.

Among the main countries of destination, Pakistan, with a CAGR of +32.8%, saw the highest growth rate of the value of exports, over the period under review, while shipments for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Export Prices by Country

In 2021, the average ink export price amounted to $X per ton, surging by 8.6% against the previous year. In general, the export price, however, saw a relatively flat trend pattern. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2014 when the average export price increased by 14% against the previous year. The export price peaked at $X per ton in 2016; however, from 2017 to 2021, the export prices failed to regain momentum.

There were significant differences in the average prices for the major overseas markets. In 2021, amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was the United States ($X per ton), while the average price for exports to the Philippines ($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 Bangladesh (+10.1%), while the prices for the other major destinations experienced more modest paces of growth.

Ink Imports

Imports into China

Ink imports into China surged to X tons in 2021, increasing by 22% against the previous year. Overall, total imports indicated a prominent increase from 2012 to 2021: its volume increased at an average annual rate of +5.5% over the last nine years. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. As a result, imports reached the peak and are likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

In value terms, ink imports skyrocketed to $X in 2021. The total import value increased at an average annual rate of +4.0% from 2012 to 2021; however, the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. As a result, imports attained the peak and are likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

Imports by Country

Germany (X tons), Japan (X tons) and Switzerland (X tons) were the main suppliers of ink imports to China, with a combined 48% share of total imports. These countries were followed by South Korea, the United States, Malaysia, the Philippines, Indonesia, Italy and Spain, which together accounted for a further 40%.

From 2012 to 2021, the biggest increases were recorded for the Philippines (with a CAGR of +46.6%), while purchases for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, Japan ($X) constituted the largest supplier of inks (excluding printing ink) to China, comprising 31% of total imports. The second position in the ranking was held by Malaysia ($X), with a 15% share of total imports. It was followed by the United States, with a 9.7% share.

From 2012 to 2021, the average annual growth rate of value from Japan stood at +5.7%. The remaining supplying countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: Malaysia (+42.0% per year) and the United States (-7.9% per year).

Import Prices by Country

In 2021, the average ink import price amounted to $X per ton, picking up by 5.3% against the previous year. Overall, the import price, however, recorded a mild decline. Over the period under review, average import prices reached the maximum at $X per ton in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2021, import prices stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Prices varied noticeably by country of origin: amid the top importers, the country with the highest price was Japan ($X per ton), while the price for Switzerland ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Italy (+5.2%), while the prices for the other major suppliers experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Platform

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