EU: Plain Postcard Market 2025

Plain Postcard Market Size in the EU

The EU plain postcard market was finally on the rise to reach $X in 2021, after two years of decline. In general, consumption recorded a strong expansion. As a result, consumption reached the peak level and is likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

Plain Postcard Production in the EU

In value terms, plain postcard production rose significantly to $X in 2021 estimated in export price. Overall, production, however, showed a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2017 when the production volume increased by 58%. The level of production peaked at $X in 2018; however, from 2019 to 2021, production remained at a lower figure.

Plain Postcard Exports

Exports in the EU

In 2021, approx. X tons of letter cards, plain postcards and correspondence cards were exported in the European Union; dropping by -2.4% against 2020 figures. Over the period under review, exports, however, recorded a relatively flat trend pattern. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2017 when exports increased by 41% against the previous year. The volume of export peaked at X tons in 2018; however, from 2019 to 2021, the exports remained at a lower figure.

In value terms, plain postcard exports fell modestly to $X in 2021. Total exports indicated a modest expansion from 2012 to 2021: its value increased at an average annual rate of +1.0% over the last nine-year period. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2021 figures, exports decreased by -39.3% against 2018 indices. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2017 when exports increased by 21%. The level of export peaked at $X in 2018; however, from 2019 to 2021, the exports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Exports by Country

In 2021, Spain (X tons), distantly followed by Germany (X tons), France (X tons), the Netherlands (X tons), the Czech Republic (X tons), Denmark (X tons), Italy (X tons) and Belgium (X tons) were the main exporters of letter cards, plain postcards and correspondence cards, together creating 94% of total exports.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of shipments, amongst the main exporting countries, was attained by Denmark (with a CAGR of +20.4%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, the largest plain postcard supplying countries in the European Union were France ($X), Germany ($X) and the Netherlands ($X), together accounting for 56% of total exports.

The Netherlands, with a CAGR of +16.8%, saw the highest rates of growth with regard to the value of exports, in terms of the main exporting countries 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 ton, which is down by -2.1% against the previous year. In general, the export price, however, saw a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2014 an increase of 21% against the previous year. As a result, the export price reached the peak level of $X per ton. From 2015 to 2021, the export prices failed to regain momentum.

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

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Spain (+7.1%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Plain Postcard Imports

Imports in the EU

In 2021, the amount of letter cards, plain postcards and correspondence cards imported in the European Union dropped notably to X tons, with a decrease of -31.5% on 2020 figures. Over the period under review, imports saw a abrupt decrease. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2018 when imports increased by 14% against the previous year. As a result, imports reached the peak of X tons. From 2019 to 2021, the growth of imports failed to regain momentum.

In value terms, plain postcard imports contracted slightly to $X in 2021. In general, imports continue to indicate a pronounced decrease. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2017 with an increase of 11%. The level of import peaked at $X in 2018; however, from 2019 to 2021, imports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Imports by Country

The countries with the highest levels of plain postcard imports in 2021 were Germany (X tons), Poland (X tons), Belgium (X tons), the Netherlands (X tons), France (X tons), Spain (X tons) and Denmark (X tons), together resulting at 78% of total import. The following importers - Italy (X tons), Austria (X tons), Ireland (X tons), Romania (X tons), Luxembourg (X tons) and Finland (X tons) - together made up 15% of total imports.

From 2012 to 2021, the biggest increases were recorded for Poland (with a CAGR of +25.2%), while purchases for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, the largest plain postcard importing markets in the European Union were Germany ($X), France ($X) and Poland ($X), together accounting for 51% of total imports.

Among the main importing countries, Poland, with a CAGR of +27.0%, 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 the European Union stood at $X per ton in 2021, jumping by 44% against the previous year. Import price indicated measured growth from 2012 to 2021: its price increased at an average annual rate of +3.5% over the last nine-year period. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2021 figures, plain postcard import price decreased by -6.8% against 2019 indices. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2019 an increase of 55%. As a result, import price attained the peak level of $X per ton. From 2020 to 2021, the import prices remained at a somewhat lower figure.

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

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Spain (+15.1%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Platform

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