EU: Matches Market 2024

Matches Market Size in the EU

In 2021, after six years of decline, there was significant growth in the EU matches market, when its value increased by 5.7% to $X. Overall, consumption, however, continues to indicate a noticeable setback. The level of consumption peaked at $X in 2014; however, from 2015 to 2021, consumption remained at a lower figure.

Matches Production in the EU

In value terms, matches production fell slightly to $X in 2021 estimated in export price. Overall, production, however, continues to indicate a noticeable decrease. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2013 with an increase of 9.3% against the previous year. The level of production peaked at $X in 2014; however, from 2015 to 2021, production stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Matches Exports

Exports in the EU

In 2021, overseas shipments of matches increased by 4.8% to X tons, rising for the second year in a row after six years of decline. In general, exports, however, showed a pronounced contraction. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2013 when exports increased by 6.2% against the previous year. As a result, the exports attained the peak of X tons. From 2014 to 2021, the growth of the exports remained at a lower figure.

In value terms, matches exports rose significantly to $X in 2021. Overall, exports, however, continue to indicate a noticeable contraction. The level of export peaked at $X in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2021, the exports remained at a lower figure.

Exports by Country

Sweden represented the key exporter of matches in the European Union, with the volume of exports amounting to X tons, which was approx. 66% of total exports in 2021. Hungary (X tons) held the second position in the ranking, followed by Germany (X tons). All these countries together held approx. 19% share of total exports. The following exporters - Estonia (X tons), Poland (X tons), the Czech Republic (X tons) and the Netherlands (X tons) - together made up 9.4% of total exports.

Exports from Sweden decreased at an average annual rate of -2.8% from 2012 to 2021. At the same time, the Netherlands (+3.9%) and Hungary (+2.3%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, the Netherlands emerged as the fastest-growing exporter exported in the European Union, with a CAGR of +3.9% from 2012-2021. Estonia experienced a relatively flat trend pattern. By contrast, the Czech Republic (-2.3%), Germany (-3.5%) and Poland (-19.7%) illustrated a downward trend over the same period. Sweden (+5.4 p.p.) and Hungary (+4.8 p.p.) significantly strengthened its position in terms of the total exports, while Poland saw its share reduced by -10.9% from 2012 to 2021, respectively. The shares of the other countries remained relatively stable throughout the analyzed period.

In value terms, Sweden ($X) remains the largest matches supplier in the European Union, comprising 66% of total exports. The second position in the ranking was held by Germany ($X), with a 9.9% share of total exports. It was followed by Hungary, with an 8.9% share.

In Sweden, matches exports plunged by an average annual rate of -2.1% over the period from 2012-2021. The remaining exporting countries recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: Germany (-0.9% per year) and Hungary (-6.1% per year).

Export Prices by Country

The export price in the European Union stood at $X per ton in 2021, increasing by 8.5% against the previous year. Overall, the export price recorded a relatively flat trend pattern. The level of export peaked at $X per ton in 2014; however, 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 the Netherlands ($X per ton), while Poland ($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 Netherlands (+2.8%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Matches Imports

Imports in the EU

In 2021, after three years of decline, there was significant growth in overseas purchases of matches, when their volume increased by 7.1% to X tons. In general, imports, however, continue to indicate a pronounced descent. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2013 with an increase of 13%. As a result, imports attained the peak of X tons. From 2014 to 2021, the growth of imports remained at a lower figure.

In value terms, matches imports expanded markedly to $X in 2021. Overall, imports, however, saw a noticeable decrease. Over the period under review, imports attained the peak figure at $X in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2021, imports failed to regain momentum.

Imports by Country

The purchases of the three major importers of matches, namely Romania, Germany and France, represented more than third of total import. Spain (X tons) ranks next in terms of the total imports with a 7.2% share, followed by Poland (4.8%). Hungary (X tons), the Czech Republic (X tons), Portugal (X tons), Lithuania (X tons), Bulgaria (X tons), Latvia (X tons), Ireland (X tons) and Austria (X tons) followed a long way behind the leaders.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of purchases, amongst the main importing countries, was attained by Lithuania (with a CAGR of +2.6%), while imports for the other leaders experienced a decline in the imports figures.

In value terms, the largest matches importing markets in the European Union were Germany ($X), France ($X) and Romania ($X), together comprising 45% of total imports. Spain, the Czech Republic, Portugal, Austria, Poland, Hungary, Ireland, Latvia, Lithuania and Bulgaria lagged somewhat behind, together accounting for a further 36%.

Poland, with a CAGR of +4.8%, recorded the highest growth rate of the value of imports, among 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 the European Union stood at $X per ton in 2021, with an increase of 6.3% against the previous year. Over the last nine years, it increased at an average annual rate of +1.0%. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2020 when the import price increased by 10% against the previous year. Over the period under review, import prices attained the maximum in 2021 and is expected to retain 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 Austria ($X per ton), while Lithuania ($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 (+7.1%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Platform

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