Eastern Asia: Plain Postcard Market 2024

Plain Postcard Market Size in Eastern Asia

The East Asian plain postcard market was finally on the rise to reach $X in 2021, after two years of decline. Over the period under review, consumption continues to indicate a prominent expansion. The level of consumption peaked at $X in 2018; however, from 2019 to 2021, consumption stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Plain Postcard Production in Eastern Asia

In value terms, plain postcard production expanded rapidly to $X in 2021 estimated in export price. The total production indicated a temperate increase from 2012 to 2021: its value increased at an average annual rate of +2.3% over the last nine years. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2021 figures, production decreased by -22.9% against 2018 indices. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2017 when the production volume increased by 21% against the previous year. Over the period under review, production attained the peak level at $X in 2018; however, from 2019 to 2021, production stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Plain Postcard Exports

Exports in Eastern Asia

After six years of decline, shipments abroad of letter cards, plain postcards and correspondence cards increased by 8% to X tons in 2021. In general, exports, however, continue to indicate a abrupt slump. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2014 with an increase of 15%. As a result, the exports attained the peak of X tons. From 2015 to 2021, the growth of the exports failed to regain momentum.

In value terms, plain postcard exports soared to $X in 2021. Over the period under review, exports, however, continue to indicate a drastic downturn. The level of export peaked at $X in 2014; however, from 2015 to 2021, the exports remained at a lower figure.

Exports by Country

China dominates exports structure, recording X tons, which was approx. 93% of total exports in 2021. The following exporters - Taiwan (Chinese) (X tons) and South Korea (X tons) - each resulted at a 4.5% share of total exports.

Exports from China decreased at an average annual rate of -10.3% from 2012 to 2021. Taiwan (Chinese) (-4.0%) and South Korea (-11.1%) illustrated a downward trend over the same period. While the share of China (+2.3 p.p.) increased significantly, the shares of the other countries remained relatively stable throughout the analyzed period.

In value terms, China ($X) remains the largest plain postcard supplier in Eastern Asia, comprising 87% of total exports. The second position in the ranking was held by South Korea ($X), with a 3.6% share of total exports.

From 2012 to 2021, the average annual growth rate of value in China totaled -6.2%. In the other countries, the average annual rates were as follows: South Korea (-8.0% per year) and Taiwan (Chinese) (+1.0% per year).

Export Prices by Country

The export price in Eastern Asia stood at $X per ton in 2021, jumping by 23% against the previous year. Export price indicated a measured increase from 2012 to 2021: its price increased at an average annual rate of +4.4% over the last nine years. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2021 figures, plain postcard export price increased by +67.1% against 2016 indices. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2020 when the export price increased by 23% against the previous year. The level of export peaked in 2021 and is likely to see gradual growth in the immediate term.

Prices varied noticeably by country of origin: amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was South Korea ($X per ton), while China ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

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

Plain Postcard Imports

Imports in Eastern Asia

In 2021, after two years of decline, there was significant growth in purchases abroad of letter cards, plain postcards and correspondence cards, when their volume increased by 86% to X tons. Over the period under review, imports, however, continue to indicate a abrupt contraction. Over the period under review, imports attained the peak figure at X tons in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2021, imports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

In value terms, plain postcard imports skyrocketed to $X in 2021. Overall, imports, however, recorded a pronounced decrease. The level of import peaked at $X in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2021, imports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Imports by Country

In 2021, South Korea (X tons) represented the main importer of letter cards, plain postcards and correspondence cards, comprising 76% of total imports. Japan (X tons) took the second position in the ranking, followed by Hong Kong SAR (X tons). All these countries together held approx. 19% share of total imports. Taiwan (Chinese) (X tons) followed a long way behind the leaders.

Imports into South Korea increased at an average annual rate of +11.4% from 2012 to 2021. At the same time, Taiwan (Chinese) (+11.8%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, Taiwan (Chinese) emerged as the fastest-growing importer imported in Eastern Asia, with a CAGR of +11.8% from 2012-2021. By contrast, Japan (-3.6%) and Hong Kong SAR (-25.9%) illustrated a downward trend over the same period. While the share of South Korea (+59 p.p.), Taiwan (Chinese) (+3.1 p.p.) and Japan (+1.9 p.p.) increased significantly in terms of the total imports from 2012-2021, the share of Hong Kong SAR (-62.6 p.p.) displayed negative dynamics.

In value terms, South Korea ($X), Japan ($X) and Taiwan (Chinese) ($X) constituted the countries with the highest levels of imports in 2021, with a combined 92% share of total imports.

South Korea, with a CAGR of +10.8%, recorded the highest rates of growth with regard to the value of imports, among the main importing countries over the period under review, while purchases for the other leaders experienced mixed trends in the imports figures.

Import Prices by Country

In 2021, the import price in Eastern Asia amounted to $X per ton, reducing by -7.1% against the previous year. Over the last nine-year period, it increased at an average annual rate of +2.6%. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2013 when the import price increased by 51% against the previous year. Over the period under review, import prices attained the peak figure at $X per ton in 2014; however, from 2015 to 2021, import prices stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Prices varied noticeably by country of destination: amid the top importers, the country with the highest price was Japan ($X per ton), while Hong Kong SAR ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Hong Kong SAR (+9.7%), while the other leaders experienced a decline in the import price figures.

Source: IndexBox Platform

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