Europe: Plain Postcard Market 2024

Plain Postcard Market Size in Europe

In 2021, the Europe plain postcard market was finally on the rise to reach $X after two years of decline. Overall, consumption posted a resilient increase. As a result, consumption reached the peak level and is likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

Plain Postcard Production in Europe

In value terms, plain postcard production stood at $X in 2021 estimated in export price. The total production indicated mild growth from 2012 to 2021: its value increased at an average annual rate of +1.6% over the last nine years. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2021 figures, production decreased by -20.8% against 2018 indices. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2017 when the production volume increased by 46%. Over the period under review, production reached the peak level at $X in 2018; however, from 2019 to 2021, production remained at a lower figure.

Plain Postcard Exports

Exports in Europe

In 2021, shipments abroad of letter cards, plain postcards and correspondence cards decreased by -0.1% to X tons, falling for the third year in a row after four years of growth. Over the period under review, exports showed a pronounced shrinkage. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2017 when exports increased by 28% against the previous year. The volume of export peaked at X tons in 2018; however, from 2019 to 2021, the exports failed to regain momentum.

In value terms, plain postcard exports fell slightly to $X in 2021. Overall, exports recorded a perceptible contraction. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2017 with an increase of 16% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the exports hit record highs at $X in 2018; however, from 2019 to 2021, the exports failed to regain momentum.

Exports by Country

In 2021, Spain (X tons), distantly followed by Germany (X tons), the UK (X tons), France (X tons), the Netherlands (X tons), the Czech Republic (X tons) and Denmark (X tons) were the main exporters of letter cards, plain postcards and correspondence cards, together committing 84% of total exports.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of shipments, amongst the key 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, France ($X), the UK ($X) and Germany ($X) were the countries with the highest levels of exports in 2021, with a combined 48% share of total exports. These countries were followed by the Netherlands, Spain, the Czech Republic and Denmark, which together accounted for a further 26%.

In terms of the main exporting countries, the Netherlands, with a CAGR of +16.8%, saw 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

The export price in Europe stood at $X per ton in 2021, stabilizing at the previous year. Overall, the export price, however, recorded a relatively flat trend pattern. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2014 an increase of 14%. As a result, the export price reached the peak level of $X per ton. From 2015 to 2021, the export prices remained at a somewhat lower figure.

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 France ($X per ton), while Spain ($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 Europe

In 2021, plain postcard imports in Europe shrank rapidly to X tons, falling by -18.7% against the previous year. In general, imports saw a abrupt descent. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2013 when imports increased by 11% against the previous year. Over the period under review, imports hit record highs at X tons in 2015; however, from 2016 to 2021, imports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

In value terms, plain postcard imports rose rapidly to $X in 2021. Overall, imports saw a perceptible curtailment. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2017 with an increase of 8.9%. Over the period under review, imports hit record highs at $X in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2021, imports remained at a lower figure.

Imports by Country

The UK represented the key importing country with an import of around X tons, which amounted to 34% of total imports. Germany (X tons) held an 11% share (based on physical terms) of total imports, which put it in second place, followed by Poland (8.3%), Belgium (7.3%), the Netherlands (7.1%), France (5.2%) and Switzerland (4.9%). Spain (X tons), Denmark (X tons), Italy (X tons), Austria (X tons) and Ireland (X tons) took a little share of total imports.

The UK experienced a relatively flat trend pattern with regard to volume of imports of letter cards, plain postcards and correspondence cards. At the same time, Poland (+25.2%), Belgium (+13.0%), Switzerland (+12.1%) and Denmark (+10.1%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, Poland emerged as the fastest-growing importer imported in Europe, with a CAGR of +25.2% from 2012-2021. By contrast, Germany (-2.7%), Italy (-2.9%), France (-5.2%), the Netherlands (-11.3%), Austria (-12.3%), Ireland (-12.8%) and Spain (-21.7%) illustrated a downward trend over the same period. From 2012 to 2021, the share of the UK, Poland, Belgium, Switzerland, Denmark and Germany increased by +12, +7.6, +5.8, +3.8, +2.6 and +2.3 percentage points, respectively. The shares of the other countries remained relatively stable throughout the analyzed period.

In value terms, Germany ($X), the UK ($X) and Switzerland ($X) appeared to be the countries with the highest levels of imports in 2021, with a combined 45% share of total imports. France, Poland, Belgium, the Netherlands, Austria, Italy, Spain, Ireland and Denmark lagged somewhat behind, together comprising a further 47%.

Poland, with a CAGR of +27.0%, 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

In 2021, the import price in Europe amounted to $X per ton, increasing by 31% against the previous year. Over the period from 2012 to 2021, it increased at an average annual rate of +1.8%. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2019 an increase of 38% against the previous year. As a result, import price reached the peak level of $X per ton. From 2020 to 2021, the import prices remained at a 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 Switzerland ($X per ton), while the UK ($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