EU: Magnetic Card Market 2025

Magnetic Card Market Size in the EU

In 2021, the EU magnetic card market increased by 9.1% to $X for the first time since 2017, thus ending a three-year declining trend. In general, consumption, however, showed a noticeable decrease. The level of consumption peaked at $X in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2021, consumption stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Magnetic Card Production in the EU

In value terms, magnetic card production soared to $X in 2021 estimated in export price. Overall, production, however, recorded a perceptible decline. Over the period under review, production reached the peak level at $X in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2021, production failed to regain momentum.

Magnetic Card Exports

Exports in the EU

In 2021, overseas shipments of cards incorporating a magnetic stripe decreased by -25% to X units, falling for the third consecutive year after four years of growth. Overall, exports showed a deep downturn. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2015 with an increase of 33%. The volume of export peaked at X units in 2018; however, from 2019 to 2021, the exports failed to regain momentum.

In value terms, magnetic card exports surged to $X in 2021. Over the period under review, exports showed a deep slump. The level of export peaked at $X in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2021, the exports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Exports by Country

In 2021, Germany (X units) was the key exporter of cards incorporating a magnetic stripe, committing 43% of total exports. France (X units) took the second position in the ranking, followed by Spain (X units), Poland (X units), Italy (X units) and the Netherlands (X units). All these countries together held near 43% share of total exports. The following exporters - Sweden (X units) and Portugal (X units) - each amounted to a 6.1% share of total exports.

From 2012 to 2021, average annual rates of growth with regard to magnetic card exports from Germany stood at -9.5%. At the same time, the Netherlands (+23.1%) and Portugal (+10.9%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, the Netherlands emerged as the fastest-growing exporter exported in the European Union, with a CAGR of +23.1% from 2012-2021. By contrast, Poland (-1.7%), Spain (-2.5%), Italy (-4.0%), Sweden (-8.6%) and France (-8.9%) illustrated a downward trend over the same period. The Netherlands (+5.5 p.p.), Spain (+3.6 p.p.), Poland (+3.2 p.p.), Portugal (+2.3 p.p.) and Italy (+2.1 p.p.) significantly strengthened its position in terms of the total exports, while France and Germany saw its share reduced by -1.8% and -8.2% from 2012 to 2021, respectively. The shares of the other countries remained relatively stable throughout the analyzed period.

In value terms, the largest magnetic card supplying countries in the European Union were Portugal ($X), France ($X) and Germany ($X), together comprising 52% of total exports.

In terms of the main exporting countries, Portugal, with a CAGR of +26.1%, recorded the highest growth rate of the value of exports, over the period under review, while shipments for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Export Prices by Country

In 2021, the export price in the European Union amounted to $X per unit, picking up by 54% against the previous year. In general, the export price enjoyed pronounced growth. As a result, the export 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 exporting countries. In 2021, amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was Portugal ($X per unit), while Germany ($X per unit) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Portugal (+13.7%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Magnetic Card Imports

Imports in the EU

In 2021, purchases abroad of cards incorporating a magnetic stripe decreased by -22.9% to X units, falling for the third year in a row after two years of growth. Overall, imports recorded a deep slump. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2013 with an increase of 23%. The volume of import peaked at X units in 2014; however, from 2015 to 2021, imports remained at a lower figure.

In value terms, magnetic card imports contracted to $X in 2021. Over the period under review, imports recorded a deep downturn. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2013 when imports increased by 24%. As a result, imports reached the peak of $X. From 2014 to 2021, the growth of imports remained at a somewhat lower figure.

Imports by Country

In 2021, Sweden (X units), France (X units), Spain (X units), Austria (X units), Germany (X units), Ireland (X units), Luxembourg (X units), Hungary (X units), Poland (X units), Italy (X units), Greece (X units) and Slovakia (X units) represented the key importer of cards incorporating a magnetic stripe in the European Union, achieving 82% of total import.

From 2012 to 2021, the biggest increases were recorded for Hungary (with a CAGR of +34.9%), while purchases for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, the largest magnetic card importing markets in the European Union were Sweden ($X), France ($X) and Spain ($X), with a combined 37% share of total imports. Poland, Greece, Slovakia, Italy, Ireland, Germany, Luxembourg, Austria and Hungary lagged somewhat behind, together comprising a further 40%.

Hungary, with a CAGR of +25.1%, saw the highest rates of growth with regard to 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

In 2021, the import price in the European Union amounted to $X per unit, growing by 14% against the previous year. Import price indicated a noticeable increase from 2012 to 2021: its price increased at an average annual rate of +3.5% over the last nine years. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2021 figures, magnetic card import price increased by +82.0% against 2018 indices. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2020 an increase of 32%. Over the period under review, import prices reached the maximum in 2021 and is likely to see steady growth in years to come.

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 Greece ($X per unit), while Austria ($X per unit) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Sweden (+11.2%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Platform

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) :