Eastern Asia: Metal Chain Market 2025

Metal Chain Market Size in Eastern Asia

In 2022, the East Asian metal chain market decreased by -2.6% to $X, falling for the second year in a row after three years of growth. In general, consumption, however, saw a prominent increase. The level of consumption peaked at $X in 2020; however, from 2021 to 2022, consumption remained at a lower figure.

Metal Chain Production in Eastern Asia

In value terms, metal chain production stood at $X in 2022 estimated in export price. Overall, production, however, posted a prominent expansion. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2016 with an increase of 33% against the previous year. The level of production peaked at $X in 2020; afterwards, it flattened through to 2022.

Metal Chain Exports

Exports in Eastern Asia

In 2022, shipments abroad of iron or steel chain increased by 27% to X tons, rising for the second consecutive year after three years of decline. In general, exports, however, saw a perceptible shrinkage. Over the period under review, the exports hit record highs at X tons in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, the exports remained at a lower figure.

In value terms, metal chain exports skyrocketed to $X in 2022. Overall, exports, however, showed a relatively flat trend pattern. Over the period under review, the exports hit record highs at $X in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, the exports failed to regain momentum.

Exports by Country

China prevails in exports structure, resulting at X tons, which was approx. 88% of total exports in 2022. It was distantly followed by South Korea (X tons), comprising a 7.2% share of total exports. Taiwan (Chinese) (X tons) followed a long way behind the leaders.

Exports from China decreased at an average annual rate of -3.8% from 2012 to 2022. South Korea (-3.0%) and Taiwan (Chinese) (-5.9%) illustrated a downward trend over the same period. China (+3.1 p.p.) significantly strengthened its position in terms of the total exports, while the shares of the other countries remained relatively stable throughout the analyzed period.

In value terms, China ($X) remains the largest metal chain supplier in Eastern Asia, comprising 88% of total exports. The second position in the ranking was held by Taiwan (Chinese) ($X), with a 4.7% share of total exports.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual growth rate of value in China totaled +1.1%. The remaining exporting countries recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: Taiwan (Chinese) (-4.6% per year) and South Korea (-8.6% per year).

Export Prices by Country

The export price in Eastern Asia stood at $X per ton in 2022, increasing by 5.5% against the previous year. Over the last decade, it increased at an average annual rate of +3.4%. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2021 when the export price increased by 16%. Over the period under review, the export prices reached the peak figure in 2022 and is likely to see gradual growth in the immediate term.

There were significant differences in the average prices amongst the major exporting countries. In 2022, amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was Taiwan (Chinese) ($X per ton), while South Korea ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by China (+5.1%), while the other leaders experienced mixed trends in the export price figures.

Metal Chain Imports

Imports in Eastern Asia

In 2022, overseas purchases of iron or steel chain decreased by -15.6% to X tons for the first time since 2019, thus ending a two-year rising trend. Overall, imports faced a abrupt setback. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2015 with an increase of 3.1% against the previous year. The volume of import peaked at X tons in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, imports failed to regain momentum.

In value terms, metal chain imports rose slightly to $X in 2022. In general, imports recorded a mild downturn. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2018 with an increase of 52%. Over the period under review, imports attained the peak figure at $X in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, imports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Imports by Country

In 2022, Japan (X tons) and South Korea (X tons) were the major importers of iron or steel chain in Eastern Asia, together constituting 70% of total imports. Taiwan (Chinese) (X tons) ranks next in terms of the total imports with a 17% share, followed by China (9.1%). Hong Kong SAR (X tons) held a relatively small share of total imports.

From 2012 to 2022, the biggest increases were recorded for Japan (with a CAGR of +2.2%), while purchases for the other leaders experienced a decline in the imports figures.

In value terms, Japan ($X) constitutes the largest market for imported iron or steel chain in Eastern Asia, comprising 69% of total imports. The second position in the ranking was taken by South Korea ($X), with a 14% share of total imports. It was followed by China, with a 9.7% share.

In Japan, metal chain imports increased at an average annual rate of +6.0% over the period from 2012-2022. In the other countries, the average annual rates were as follows: South Korea (-6.6% per year) and China (-13.9% per year).

Import Prices by Country

In 2022, the import price in Eastern Asia amounted to $X per ton, rising by 24% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the import price saw a remarkable increase. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2019 when the import price increased by 53%. Over the period under review, import prices attained the maximum in 2022 and is likely to see gradual growth in the immediate term.

There were significant differences in the average prices amongst the major importing countries. In 2022, amid the top importers, the country with the highest price was Japan ($X per ton), while Taiwan (Chinese) ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Hong Kong SAR (+13.6%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Platform

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) :