Europe: Matches Market 2024

Matches Market Size in Europe

In 2021, the Europe matches market increased by 11% to $X for the first time since 2014, thus ending a six-year declining trend. Overall, consumption, however, saw a pronounced setback. The level of consumption peaked at $X in 2014; however, from 2015 to 2021, consumption stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Matches Production in Europe

In value terms, matches production fell slightly to $X in 2021 estimated in export price. Overall, production, however, saw a noticeable reduction. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2013 with an increase of 11% against the previous year. The level of production peaked at $X in 2014; however, from 2015 to 2021, production failed to regain momentum.

Matches Exports

Exports in Europe

In 2021, overseas shipments of matches decreased by -4.2% to X tons, falling for the eighth year in a row after two years of growth. Overall, exports faced a drastic downturn. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2013 with an increase of 2.7% against the previous year. As a result, the exports reached the peak of X tons. From 2014 to 2021, the growth of the exports failed to regain momentum.

In value terms, matches exports rose remarkably to $X in 2021. In general, exports continue to indicate a abrupt decrease. Over the period under review, the exports reached the maximum at $X in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2021, the exports remained at a lower figure.

Exports by Country

Sweden was the main exporting country with an export of around X tons, which amounted to 60% of total exports. Hungary (X tons) ranks second in terms of the total exports with a 10% share, followed by Germany (7.1%). Ukraine (X tons), Belarus (X tons), Estonia (X tons), Poland (X tons), the Czech Republic (X tons) and the Netherlands (X tons) held a little share of total exports.

From 2012 to 2021, average annual rates of growth with regard to matches exports from Sweden stood at -2.8%. 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 Europe, with a CAGR of +3.9% from 2012-2021. Estonia experienced a relatively flat trend pattern. By contrast, the Czech Republic (-2.3%), Ukraine (-3.2%), Germany (-3.5%), Poland (-19.7%) and Belarus (-24.7%) illustrated a downward trend over the same period. Sweden (+33 p.p.), Hungary (+7.5 p.p.), Germany (+3.7 p.p.), Ukraine (+2.2 p.p.) and Estonia (+2 p.p.) significantly strengthened its position in terms of the total exports, while Poland and Belarus saw its share reduced by -3.6% and -14.6% from 2012 to 2021, respectively. The shares of the other countries remained relatively stable throughout the analyzed period.

In value terms, Sweden ($X) remains the largest matches supplier in Europe, comprising 62% of total exports. The second position in the ranking was held by Germany ($X), with a 9.4% share of total exports. It was followed by Hungary, with an 8.5% share.

In Sweden, matches exports shrank by an average annual rate of -2.1% over the period from 2012-2021. In the other countries, the average annual rates were as follows: Germany (-0.9% per year) and Hungary (-6.1% per year).

Export Prices by Country

In 2021, the export price in Europe amounted to $X per ton, increasing by 15% against the previous year. Export price indicated a noticeable expansion from 2012 to 2021: its price increased at an average annual rate of +4.6% over the last nine-year period. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2021 figures, matches export price increased by +90.3% against 2019 indices. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2020 when the export price increased by 65%. Over the period under review, the export prices hit record highs in 2021 and is expected to retain growth in years to come.

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 Netherlands ($X per ton), while Belarus ($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 Netherlands (+2.8%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Matches Imports

Imports in Europe

In 2021, after three years of decline, there was significant growth in supplies from abroad of matches, when their volume increased by 12% to X tons. Overall, imports, however, showed a abrupt contraction. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2013 when imports increased by 14%. As a result, imports reached the peak of X tons. From 2014 to 2021, the growth of imports failed to regain momentum.

In value terms, matches imports surged to $X in 2021. Over the period under review, imports, however, showed a pronounced reduction. The level of import peaked at $X in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2021, imports failed to regain momentum.

Imports by Country

The purchases of the twelve major importers of matches, namely Romania, Germany, France, Ukraine, Spain, the UK, Poland, Moldova, Hungary, the Czech Republic, Portugal and Lithuania, represented more than two-thirds of total import. Bulgaria (X tons) followed a long way behind the leaders.

From 2012 to 2021, the biggest increases were recorded for Lithuania (with a CAGR of +2.6%), while purchases for the other leaders experienced a decline in the imports figures.

In value terms, Germany ($X), France ($X) and Romania ($X) appeared to be the countries with the highest levels of imports in 2021, together comprising 33% of total imports. These countries were followed by the UK, Spain, Ukraine, the Czech Republic, Portugal, Poland, Hungary, Moldova, Lithuania and Bulgaria, which together accounted for a further 36%.

Poland, with a CAGR of +4.8%, recorded the highest rates of growth with regard to 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, with an increase of 6.7% against the previous year. Over the last nine-year period, it increased at an average annual rate of +2.4%. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2020 an increase of 31%. Over the period under review, import prices hit record highs in 2021 and is likely to see steady growth in the near future.

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