China: Plain Postcard Market 2025

Plain Postcard Market Size in China

The Chinese plain postcard market reduced to $X in 2021, waning by -3.7% against the previous year. In general, consumption, however, recorded a prominent increase. Plain postcard consumption peaked at $X in 2020, and then reduced slightly in the following year.

Plain Postcard Production in China

In value terms, plain postcard production fell to $X in 2021 estimated in export price. The total output value increased at an average annual rate of +2.4% from 2012 to 2021; however, the trend pattern remained relatively stable, with somewhat noticeable fluctuations throughout the analyzed period. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2014 with an increase of 14%. Over the period under review, production attained the maximum level at $X in 2018; however, from 2019 to 2021, production stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Plain Postcard Exports

Exports from China

In 2021, shipments abroad of letter cards, plain postcards and correspondence cards was finally on the rise to reach X tons for the first time since 2014, thus ending a six-year declining trend. In general, exports, however, recorded a abrupt downturn. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2014 with an increase of 17%. As a result, the exports attained the peak of X tons. From 2015 to 2021, the growth of 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, saw a deep contraction. The exports peaked at $X in 2014; however, from 2015 to 2021, the exports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Exports by Country

The United States (X tons) was the main destination for plain postcard exports from China, with a 44% share of total exports. Moreover, plain postcard exports to the United States exceeded the volume sent to the second major destination, the UK (X tons), threefold. The Netherlands (X tons) ranked third in terms of total exports with an 8.4% share.

From 2012 to 2021, the average annual rate of growth in terms of volume to the United States totaled -14.9%. Exports to the other major destinations recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: the UK (-5.0% per year) and the Netherlands (+20.2% per year).

In value terms, the United States ($X) remains the key foreign market for letter cards, plain postcards and correspondence cards exports from China, comprising 39% of total exports. The second position in the ranking was held by the UK ($X), with a 10% share of total exports. It was followed by Malaysia, with a 9.9% share.

From 2012 to 2021, the average annual rate of growth in terms of value to the United States stood at -11.1%. Exports to the other major destinations recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: the UK (-2.1% per year) and Malaysia (+60.8% per year).

Export Prices by Country

In 2021, the average plain postcard export price amounted to $X per ton, increasing by 22% against the previous year. Over the period from 2012 to 2021, it increased at an average annual rate of +4.6%. As a result, the export price reached the peak level and is likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

There were significant differences in the average prices for the major export markets. In 2021, amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was Malaysia ($X per ton), while the average price for exports to Iraq ($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 Malaysia (+17.2%), while the prices for the other major destinations experienced more modest paces of growth.

Plain Postcard Imports

Imports into China

In 2021, supplies from abroad of letter cards, plain postcards and correspondence cards decreased by -24.5% to X tons, falling for the second year in a row after two years of growth. In general, imports continue to indicate a abrupt setback. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2019 when imports increased by 106%. Imports peaked at X tons in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2021, imports remained at a lower figure.

In value terms, plain postcard imports shrank to $X in 2021. Over the period under review, imports faced a sharp descent. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2019 with an increase of 83% against the previous year. Over the period under review, imports attained the maximum at $X in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2021, imports remained at a lower figure.

Imports by Country

In 2021, Japan (X tons) constituted the largest plain postcard supplier to China, accounting for a 65% share of total imports. Moreover, plain postcard imports from Japan exceeded the figures recorded by the second-largest supplier, the UK (X kg), sevenfold. France (X kg) ranked third in terms of total imports with a 7.9% share.

From 2012 to 2021, the average annual rate of growth in terms of volume from Japan amounted to -13.7%. The remaining supplying countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: the UK (+9.3% per year) and France (-15.4% per year).

In value terms, France ($X), Japan ($X) and the UK ($X) appeared to be the largest plain postcard suppliers to China, together comprising 64% of total imports. Italy, Hong Kong SAR, Switzerland, Sweden and the United States lagged somewhat behind, together comprising a further 24%.

Sweden, with a CAGR of +27.2%, saw the highest rates of growth with regard to the value of imports, among the main suppliers over the period under review, while purchases for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Import Prices by Country

In 2021, the average plain postcard import price amounted to $X per ton, rising by 17% against the previous year. Overall, the import price, however, recorded a slight reduction. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2020 when the average import price increased by 49%. The import price peaked at $X per ton in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2021, import prices failed to regain momentum.

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 Italy ($X per ton), while the price for Japan ($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 United States (+17.5%), while the prices for the other major suppliers experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Platform

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) :