Eastern Europe: Plain Postcard Market 2024

Plain Postcard Market Size in Eastern Europe

The East European plain postcard market was estimated at $X in 2021, stabilizing at the previous year. The total consumption indicated noticeable growth from 2012 to 2021: its value increased at an average annual rate of +3.8% over the last nine years. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2021 figures, consumption decreased by -4.0% against 2019 indices. The level of consumption peaked at $X in 2019; however, from 2020 to 2021, consumption remained at a lower figure.

Plain Postcard Production in Eastern Europe

In value terms, plain postcard production expanded slightly to $X in 2021 estimated in export price. The total output value increased at an average annual rate of +3.8% from 2012 to 2021; however, the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded in certain years. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2013 when the production volume increased by 38%. Over the period under review, production hit record highs at $X in 2018; however, from 2019 to 2021, production remained at a lower figure.

Plain Postcard Exports

Exports in Eastern Europe

In 2021, approx. X tons of letter cards, plain postcards and correspondence cards were exported in Eastern Europe; waning by -9.2% against 2020. In general, exports, however, continue to indicate a strong increase. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2017 when exports increased by 113%. As a result, the exports reached the peak of X tons. From 2018 to 2021, the growth of the exports failed to regain momentum.

In value terms, plain postcard exports reduced to $X in 2021. Overall, exports continue to indicate a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2013 when exports increased by 64% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the exports attained the maximum at $X in 2017; however, from 2018 to 2021, the exports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Exports by Country

The Czech Republic prevails in exports structure, amounting to X tons, which was near 81% of total exports in 2021. It was distantly followed by Poland (X tons), constituting an 8.7% share of total exports. Latvia (X tons), Bulgaria (X tons) and Russia (X tons) held a relatively small share of total exports.

From 2012 to 2021, average annual rates of growth with regard to plain postcard exports from the Czech Republic stood at +7.3%. At the same time, Latvia (+77.8%), Bulgaria (+64.6%) and Russia (+11.3%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, Latvia emerged as the fastest-growing exporter exported in Eastern Europe, with a CAGR of +77.8% from 2012-2021. Poland experienced a relatively flat trend pattern. Latvia (+3.5 p.p.) and Bulgaria (+2.2 p.p.) significantly strengthened its position in terms of the total exports, while Poland saw its share reduced by -6.5% from 2012 to 2021, respectively. The shares of the other countries remained relatively stable throughout the analyzed period.

In value terms, the Czech Republic ($X) remains the largest plain postcard supplier in Eastern Europe, comprising 67% of total exports. The second position in the ranking was held by Poland ($X), with a 15% share of total exports. It was followed by Bulgaria, with a 6.8% share.

From 2012 to 2021, the average annual growth rate of value in the Czech Republic amounted to -2.1%. In the other countries, the average annual rates were as follows: Poland (-0.7% per year) and Bulgaria (+68.5% per year).

Export Prices by Country

In 2021, the export price in Eastern Europe amounted to $X per ton, surging by 3% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the export price, however, saw a drastic downturn. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2016 when the export price increased by 18% against the previous year. The level of export peaked at $X per ton in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2021, the export prices remained at a lower figure.

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

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Bulgaria (+2.4%), while the other leaders experienced a decline in the export price figures.

Plain Postcard Imports

Imports in Eastern Europe

In 2021, supplies from abroad of letter cards, plain postcards and correspondence cards decreased by -9.4% to X tons, falling for the second consecutive year after four years of growth. Overall, imports recorded a relatively flat trend pattern. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2019 when imports increased by 44%. As a result, imports reached the peak of X tons. From 2020 to 2021, the growth of imports remained at a somewhat lower figure.

In value terms, plain postcard imports contracted slightly to $X in 2021. Over the period under review, imports showed a slight downturn. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2019 with an increase of 54%. As a result, imports attained the peak of $X. From 2020 to 2021, the growth of imports remained at a somewhat lower figure.

Imports by Country

In 2021, Poland (X tons) represented the major importer of letter cards, plain postcards and correspondence cards, generating 72% of total imports. It was distantly followed by Romania (X tons) and the Czech Republic (X tons), together achieving a 19% share of total imports. Hungary (X tons) and Latvia (X tons) followed a long way behind the leaders.

Poland was also the fastest-growing in terms of the letter cards, plain postcards and correspondence cards imports, with a CAGR of +25.2% from 2012 to 2021. At the same time, Latvia (+24.9%) displayed positive paces of growth. By contrast, the Czech Republic (-3.3%), Romania (-13.6%) and Hungary (-14.5%) illustrated a downward trend over the same period. From 2012 to 2021, the share of Poland increased by +63 percentage points. The shares of the other countries remained relatively stable throughout the analyzed period.

In value terms, Poland ($X) constitutes the largest market for imported letter cards, plain postcards and correspondence cards in Eastern Europe, comprising 75% of total imports. The second position in the ranking was taken by Romania ($X), with a 9% share of total imports. It was followed by Latvia, with a 4.8% share.

From 2012 to 2021, the average annual growth rate of value in Poland amounted to +27.0%. The remaining importing countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: Romania (-19.4% per year) and Latvia (+23.1% per year).

Import Prices by Country

In 2021, the import price in Eastern Europe amounted to $X per ton, growing by 6.1% against the previous year. Overall, the import price, however, showed a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2018 an increase of 19% against the previous year. Over the period under review, import prices attained the peak figure at $X per ton 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 Latvia ($X per ton), while the Czech Republic ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Hungary (+1.8%), while the other leaders experienced mixed trends in the import price figures.

Source: IndexBox Platform

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) :