Eastern Europe: Matches Market 2024

Matches Market Size in Eastern Europe

In 2021, the East European matches market increased by 33% to $X, rising for the second year in a row after five years of decline. Over the period under review, consumption, however, saw a relatively flat trend pattern. The level of consumption peaked at $X in 2014; however, from 2015 to 2021, consumption remained at a lower figure.

Matches Production in Eastern Europe

In value terms, matches production reached $X in 2021 estimated in export price. Overall, production, however, showed a abrupt decline. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2018 with an increase of 2.2%. Over the period under review, production hit record highs at $X in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2021, production stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Matches Exports

Exports in Eastern Europe

In 2021, matches exports in Eastern Europe reduced dramatically to X tons, which is down by -25.5% compared with 2020. Over the period under review, exports showed a abrupt decline. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2013 when exports increased by 4.3%. As a result, the exports attained the peak of X tons. From 2014 to 2021, the growth of the exports failed to regain momentum.

In value terms, matches exports declined to $X in 2021. Overall, exports saw a abrupt descent. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2013 with an increase of 14% against the previous year. As a result, the exports attained the peak of $X. From 2014 to 2021, the growth of the exports remained at a somewhat lower figure.

Exports by Country

Hungary was the main exporter of matches in Eastern Europe, with the volume of exports resulting at X tons, which was near 36% of total exports in 2021. It was distantly followed by Ukraine (X tons), Belarus (X tons), Estonia (X tons), Poland (X tons), the Czech Republic (X tons) and Bulgaria (X tons), together making up a 58% share of total exports.

Hungary was also the fastest-growing in terms of the matches exports, with a CAGR of +2.3% from 2012 to 2021. Estonia experienced a relatively flat trend pattern. the Czech Republic (-2.3%), Ukraine (-3.2%), Bulgaria (-9.3%), Poland (-19.7%) and Belarus (-24.7%) illustrated a downward trend over the same period. From 2012 to 2021, the share of Hungary, Ukraine, Estonia, the Czech Republic and Bulgaria increased by +32, +12, +8.7, +4.5 and +3.1 percentage points, respectively. The shares of the other countries remained relatively stable throughout the analyzed period.

In value terms, Hungary ($X) remains the largest matches supplier in Eastern Europe, comprising 42% of total exports. The second position in the ranking was taken by Estonia ($X), with an 11% share of total exports. It was followed by the Czech Republic, with an 11% share.

In Hungary, matches exports contracted by an average annual rate of -6.1% over the period from 2012-2021. In the other countries, the average annual rates were as follows: Estonia (-1.3% per year) and the Czech Republic (-0.4% per year).

Export Prices by Country

The export price in Eastern Europe stood at $X per ton in 2021, growing by 30% against the previous year. Overall, the export price saw a pronounced increase. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2020 an increase of 62% against the previous year. The level of export peaked in 2021 and is likely to continue growth in the near future.

There were significant differences in the average prices amongst the major exporting countries. In 2021, amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was the Czech Republic ($X per ton), while Belarus ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by the Czech Republic (+2.0%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Matches Imports

Imports in Eastern Europe

In 2021, purchases abroad of matches was finally on the rise to reach X tons for the first time since 2017, thus ending a three-year declining trend. Over the period under review, imports, however, showed a abrupt slump. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2013 when imports increased by 22%. As a result, imports reached the peak of X tons. From 2014 to 2021, the growth of imports remained at a lower figure.

In value terms, matches imports soared to $X in 2021. Overall, imports, however, showed a perceptible downturn. Over the period under review, imports hit record highs at $X in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2021, imports failed to regain momentum.

Imports by Country

In 2021, Romania (X tons) represented the key importer of matches, mixing up 33% of total imports. Ukraine (X tons) took the second position in the ranking, distantly followed by Poland (X tons), Moldova (X tons), Hungary (X tons), the Czech Republic (X tons), Lithuania (X tons) and Bulgaria (X tons). All these countries together held near 57% share of total imports.

Imports into Romania decreased at an average annual rate of -3.8% from 2012 to 2021. At the same time, Lithuania (+2.6%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, Lithuania emerged as the fastest-growing importer imported in Eastern Europe, with a CAGR of +2.6% from 2012-2021. Poland experienced a relatively flat trend pattern. By contrast, Bulgaria (-6.3%), Moldova (-6.5%), the Czech Republic (-6.6%), Hungary (-11.2%) and Ukraine (-17.9%) illustrated a downward trend over the same period. From 2012 to 2021, the share of Romania, Poland and Lithuania increased by +12, +4.5 and +4.2 percentage points, respectively. The shares of the other countries remained relatively stable throughout the analyzed period.

In value terms, the largest matches importing markets in Eastern Europe were Romania ($X), Ukraine ($X) and the Czech Republic ($X), together accounting for 60% of total imports. These countries were followed by Poland, Hungary, Moldova, Lithuania and Bulgaria, which together accounted for a further 29%.

In terms of the main importing countries, Poland, with a CAGR of +4.8%, recorded the highest growth rate of the value of imports, 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 Europe stood at $X per ton in 2021, growing by 29% against the previous year. Import price indicated pronounced growth from 2012 to 2021: its price increased at an average annual rate of +4.7% over the last nine years. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2021 figures, matches import price increased by +84.3% against 2019 indices. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2020 when the import price increased by 43%. The level of import peaked in 2021 and is likely to see gradual growth in the near future.

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

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Ukraine (+7.4%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Platform

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