Eastern Asia: Magnetic Card Market 2025

Magnetic Card Market Size in Eastern Asia

In 2021, the East Asian magnetic card market was finally on the rise to reach $X for the first time since 2016, thus ending a four-year declining trend. Over the period under review, consumption, however, continues to indicate a deep contraction. Over the period under review, the market attained the maximum level at $X in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2021, consumption failed to regain momentum.

Magnetic Card Production in Eastern Asia

In value terms, magnetic card production stood at $X in 2021 estimated in export price. Over the period under review, production, however, showed a drastic downturn. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2016 with an increase of 14%. The level of production peaked at $X in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2021, production remained at a lower figure.

Magnetic Card Exports

Exports in Eastern Asia

In 2021, overseas shipments of cards incorporating a magnetic stripe decreased by -17.6% to X units for the first time since 2017, thus ending a three-year rising trend. In general, exports recorded a mild setback. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2018 with an increase of 22% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the exports attained the maximum at X units in 2015; however, from 2016 to 2021, the exports failed to regain momentum.

In value terms, magnetic card exports reduced remarkably to $X in 2021. Over the period under review, exports, however, saw a moderate increase. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2020 when exports increased by 121%. As a result, the exports reached the peak of $X, and then declined dramatically in the following year.

Exports by Country

China dominates exports structure, amounting to X units, which was approx. 92% of total exports in 2021. The following exporters - South Korea (X units) and Hong Kong SAR (X units) - each amounted to a 5.9% share of total exports.

Exports from China increased at an average annual rate of +2.8% from 2012 to 2021. At the same time, South Korea (+31.8%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, South Korea emerged as the fastest-growing exporter exported in Eastern Asia, with a CAGR of +31.8% from 2012-2021. By contrast, Hong Kong SAR (-23.4%) illustrated a downward trend over the same period. While the share of China (+29 p.p.) and South Korea (+2.8 p.p.) increased significantly in terms of the total exports from 2012-2021, the share of Hong Kong SAR (-24.6 p.p.) displayed negative dynamics.

In value terms, China ($X) remains the largest magnetic card supplier in Eastern Asia, comprising 80% of total exports. The second position in the ranking was taken by South Korea ($X), with a 9.2% share of total exports.

In China, magnetic card exports expanded at an average annual rate of +7.8% over the period from 2012-2021. The remaining exporting countries recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: South Korea (+42.3% per year) and Hong Kong SAR (-11.2% per year).

Export Prices by Country

In 2021, the export price in Eastern Asia amounted to $X per unit, declining by -28% against the previous year. In general, the export price, however, recorded a perceptible increase. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2020 an increase of 94% against the previous year. As a result, the export price attained the peak level of $X per unit, and then fell notably in the following year.

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 South Korea ($X per unit), while China ($X per unit) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Hong Kong SAR (+15.8%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Magnetic Card Imports

Imports in Eastern Asia

In 2021, approx. X units of cards incorporating a magnetic stripe were imported in Eastern Asia; with a decrease of -43.6% compared with the previous year's figure. In general, imports continue to indicate a abrupt contraction. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2016 when imports increased by 34% against the previous year. Over the period under review, imports attained the maximum at X units in 2018; however, from 2019 to 2021, imports failed to regain momentum.

In value terms, magnetic card imports shrank sharply to $X in 2021. Over the period under review, imports showed a deep reduction. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2015 with an increase of 13% against the previous year. Over the period under review, imports reached the peak figure at $X in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2021, imports failed to regain momentum.

Imports by Country

Japan (X units) and Hong Kong SAR (X units) represented the largest importers of cards incorporating a magnetic stripe in 2021, reaching approx. 37% and 33% of total imports, respectively. China (X units) ranks next in terms of the total imports with a 20% share, followed by Taiwan (Chinese) (6.6%). South Korea (X units) followed a long way behind the leaders.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of purchases, amongst the key importing countries, was attained by China (with a CAGR of -3.2%), while imports for the other leaders experienced a decline in the imports figures.

In value terms, China ($X), Hong Kong SAR ($X) and Japan ($X) constituted the countries with the highest levels of imports in 2021, together comprising 92% of total imports.

In terms of the main importing countries, China, with a CAGR of +1.0%, recorded the highest rates of growth with regard to the value of imports, over the period under review, while purchases for the other leaders experienced a decline in the imports figures.

Import Prices by Country

In 2021, the import price in Eastern Asia amounted to $X per unit, which is down by -20% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the import price saw a perceptible decrease. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2020 when the import price increased by 110% against the previous year. The level of import peaked at $X per unit in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2021, import prices stood at a somewhat lower figure.

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 China ($X per unit), while Japan ($X per unit) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by China (+4.4%), while the other leaders experienced mixed trends in the import price figures.

Source: IndexBox Platform

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