Eastern Asia: Postcard Market 2025

Postcard Market Size in Eastern Asia

In 2021, after three years of growth, there was decline in the East Asian postcard market, when its value decreased by -3.1% to $X. In general, consumption, however, posted a resilient increase. As a result, consumption reached the peak level of $X. From 2017 to 2021, the growth of the market failed to regain momentum.

Postcard Production in Eastern Asia

In value terms, postcard production dropped modestly to $X in 2021 estimated in export price. The total production indicated a slight expansion from 2012 to 2021: its value increased at an average annual rate of +1.4% over the last nine-year period. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2021 figures, production decreased by -38.1% against 2016 indices. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2016 with an increase of 68% against the previous year. As a result, production reached the peak level of $X. From 2017 to 2021, production growth failed to regain momentum.

Postcard Exports

Exports in Eastern Asia

After three years of decline, overseas shipments of printed or illustrated postcards and printed cards increased by 3.1% to X tons in 2021. In general, exports, however, showed a pronounced decline. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2017 when exports increased by 30% against the previous year. The volume of export peaked at X tons in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2021, the exports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

In value terms, postcard exports reached $X in 2021. Over the period under review, exports, however, showed a relatively flat trend pattern. The level of export peaked at $X in 2019; however, from 2020 to 2021, the exports failed to regain momentum.

Exports by Country

China dominates exports structure, reaching X tons, which was near 91% of total exports in 2021. It was distantly followed by Hong Kong SAR (X tons), generating an 8.7% share of total exports.

China was also the fastest-growing in terms of the printed or illustrated postcards and printed cards exports, with a CAGR of -3.2% from 2012 to 2021. Hong Kong SAR (-4.3%) illustrated a downward trend over the same period. The shares of the largest exporters remained relatively stable throughout the analyzed period.

In value terms, China ($X) remains the largest postcard supplier in Eastern Asia, comprising 90% of total exports. The second position in the ranking was taken by Hong Kong SAR ($X), with an 8% share of total exports.

In China, postcard exports remained relatively stable over the period from 2012-2021.

Export Prices by Country

The export price in Eastern Asia stood at $X per ton in 2021, growing by 5.7% against the previous year. Over the last nine-year period, it increased at an average annual rate of +2.5%. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2016 when the export price increased by 19%. As a result, the export price reached the peak level of $X per ton. From 2017 to 2021, the export prices remained at a somewhat lower figure.

Average prices varied noticeably amongst the major exporting countries. In 2021, the country with the highest price was China ($X per ton), while Hong Kong SAR stood at $X per ton.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by China (+3.3%).

Postcard Imports

Imports in Eastern Asia

Postcard imports shrank slightly to X tons in 2021, with a decrease of -4.3% on the year before. Over the period under review, imports showed a deep reduction. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2019 when imports increased by 20% against the previous year. The volume of import peaked at X tons in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2021, imports failed to regain momentum.

In value terms, postcard imports soared to $X in 2021. In general, imports showed a deep downturn. The level of import peaked at $X in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2021, imports failed to regain momentum.

Imports by Country

Hong Kong SAR prevails in imports structure, recording X tons, which was approx. 83% of total imports in 2021. It was distantly followed by Japan (X tons) and South Korea (X tons), together generating a 15% share of total imports. China (X tons) followed a long way behind the leaders.

Imports into Hong Kong SAR decreased at an average annual rate of -11.1% from 2012 to 2021. China experienced a relatively flat trend pattern. Japan (-5.7%) and South Korea (-9.9%) illustrated a downward trend over the same period. While the share of Japan (+3.6 p.p.) increased significantly in terms of the total imports from 2012-2021, the share of Hong Kong SAR (-4.4 p.p.) displayed negative dynamics. The shares of the other countries remained relatively stable throughout the analyzed period.

In value terms, Hong Kong SAR ($X), Japan ($X) and South Korea ($X) were the countries with the highest levels of imports in 2021, together accounting for 92% of total imports. These countries were followed by China, which accounted for a further 5.4%.

In terms of the main importing countries, China, with a CAGR of +7.9%, recorded the highest growth rate of 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 ton, rising by 43% against the previous year. Import price indicated a strong increase from 2012 to 2021: its price increased at an average annual rate of +6.2% over the last nine-year period. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2021 figures, postcard import price increased by +48.6% against 2019 indices. As a result, import price attained the peak level and is likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

There were significant differences in the average prices amongst the major importing countries. In 2021, the country with the highest price was China ($X per ton), while Hong Kong SAR ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by China (+7.7%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Platform

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