Eastern Asia: Waste Cork Market 2025

Waste Cork Market Size in Eastern Asia

In 2021, the East Asian waste cork market decreased by -7.8% to $X for the first time since 2018, thus ending a two-year rising trend. The market value increased at an average annual rate of +2.0% over the period from 2012 to 2021; however, the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. The level of consumption peaked at $X in 2020, and then reduced in the following year.

Waste Cork Production in Eastern Asia

In value terms, waste cork production reduced to $X in 2021 estimated in export price. The total production indicated a notable increase from 2012 to 2021: its value increased at an average annual rate of +2.4% over the last nine years. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2021 figures, production increased by +42.7% against 2018 indices. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2019 with an increase of 27%. Over the period under review, production hit record highs at $X in 2020, and then contracted in the following year.

Waste Cork Exports

Exports in Eastern Asia

In 2021, overseas shipments of waste cork, crushed, granulated or ground cork were finally on the rise to reach X tons after two years of decline. Over the period under review, exports, however, continue to indicate a perceptible shrinkage. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2018 with an increase of 250% against the previous year. As a result, the exports attained the peak of X tons. From 2019 to 2021, the growth of the exports failed to regain momentum.

In value terms, waste cork exports surged to $X in 2021. Overall, exports showed prominent growth. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2018 when exports increased by 272% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the exports reached the peak figure in 2021 and are likely to continue growth in the near future.

Exports by Country

China dominates exports structure, resulting at X tons, which was approx. 89% of total exports in 2021. It was distantly followed by Japan (X tons), mixing up a 7.6% share of total exports. Taiwan (Chinese) (X tons) took a relatively small share of total exports.

From 2012 to 2021, average annual rates of growth with regard to waste cork exports from China stood at +1.5%. At the same time, Taiwan (Chinese) (+37.5%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, Taiwan (Chinese) emerged as the fastest-growing exporter exported in Eastern Asia, with a CAGR of +37.5% from 2012-2021. By contrast, Japan (-17.2%) illustrated a downward trend over the same period. While the share of China (+25 p.p.) and Taiwan (Chinese) (+2.8 p.p.) increased significantly in terms of the total exports from 2012-2021, the share of Japan (-27 p.p.) displayed negative dynamics.

In value terms, China ($X) remains the largest waste cork supplier in Eastern Asia, comprising 90% of total exports. The second position in the ranking was taken by Japan ($X), with a 5.7% share of total exports.

In China, waste cork exports expanded at an average annual rate of +19.3% over the period from 2012-2021. In the other countries, the average annual rates were as follows: Japan (-11.0% per year) and Taiwan (Chinese) (+45.8% per year).

Export Prices by Country

The export price in Eastern Asia stood at $X per ton in 2021, growing by 78% against the previous year. In general, the export price recorded a resilient expansion. As a result, the export price attained the peak level and is likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

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

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by China (+17.5%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Waste Cork Imports

Imports in Eastern Asia

In 2021, purchases abroad of waste cork, crushed, granulated or ground cork increased by 86% to X tons for the first time since 2017, thus ending a three-year declining trend. Overall, imports continue to indicate strong growth. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2015 with an increase of 122% against the previous year. Over the period under review, imports attained the peak figure in 2021 and are expected to retain growth in years to come.

In value terms, waste cork imports soared to $X in 2021. Total imports indicated a prominent expansion from 2012 to 2021: its value increased at an average annual rate of +8.2% over the last nine years. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. As a result, imports reached the peak and are likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

Imports by Country

In 2021, China (X tons) represented the main importer of waste cork, crushed, granulated or ground cork, making up 77% of total imports. It was distantly followed by Japan (X tons), constituting a 14% share of total imports. The following importers - Taiwan (Chinese) (X tons) and South Korea (X tons) - each finished at an 8.1% share of total imports.

China was also the fastest-growing in terms of the waste cork, crushed, granulated or ground cork imports, with a CAGR of +38.6% from 2012 to 2021. At the same time, South Korea (+1.5%) displayed positive paces of growth. Taiwan (Chinese) experienced a relatively flat trend pattern. By contrast, Japan (-3.6%) illustrated a downward trend over the same period. China (+65 p.p.) significantly strengthened its position in terms of the total imports, while South Korea, Taiwan (Chinese) and Japan saw its share reduced by -6.3%, -8% and -45.5% from 2012 to 2021, respectively.

In value terms, China ($X), Japan ($X) and South Korea ($X) were the countries with the highest levels of imports in 2021, together accounting for 93% of total imports.

China, with a CAGR of +26.0%, recorded the highest growth rate of the value of imports, in terms of the main importing countries over the period under review, while purchases for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Import Prices by Country

The import price in Eastern Asia stood at $X per ton in 2021, shrinking by -20.4% against the previous year. In general, the import price showed a noticeable setback. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2016 when the import price increased by 26%. The level of import peaked at $X per ton in 2014; however, from 2015 to 2021, import prices remained at a 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 Japan ($X per ton), while China ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by South Korea (+6.3%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Platform

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