Germany: Plain Postcard Market 2025

Plain Postcard Market Size in Germany

In 2021, the German plain postcard market was finally on the rise to reach $X after two years of decline. Overall, the total consumption indicated resilient growth from 2012 to 2021: its value increased at an average annual rate of +5.1% over the last nine-year period. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Plain postcard consumption peaked at $X in 2018; however, from 2019 to 2021, consumption remained at a lower figure.

Plain Postcard Production in Germany

In value terms, plain postcard production rose rapidly to $X in 2021 estimated in export price. Over the period under review, production posted a strong increase. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2017 when the production volume increased by 59% against the previous year. Plain postcard production peaked at $X in 2018; however, from 2019 to 2021, production stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Plain Postcard Exports

Exports from Germany

In 2021, shipments abroad of letter cards, plain postcards and correspondence cards decreased by -25.2% to X tons, falling for the second consecutive year after three years of growth. In general, exports saw a abrupt shrinkage. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2017 with an increase of 21% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the exports reached the maximum at X tons in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2021, the exports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

In value terms, plain postcard exports fell to $X in 2021. Over the period under review, exports showed a abrupt downturn. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2014 when exports increased by 23%. As a result, the exports attained the peak of $X. From 2015 to 2021, the growth of the exports remained at a somewhat lower figure.

Exports by Country

The Czech Republic (X tons), Poland (X tons) and Austria (X tons) were the main destinations of plain postcard exports from Germany, with a combined 45% share of total exports.

From 2012 to 2021, the biggest increases were recorded for the Czech Republic (with a CAGR of +12.3%), while shipments for the other leaders experienced mixed trend patterns.

In value terms, Switzerland ($X), Austria ($X) and Italy ($X) were the largest markets for plain postcard exported from Germany worldwide, together comprising 48% of total exports. These countries were followed by France, Poland, the UK, the Netherlands, Belgium, the Czech Republic, Spain and the United Arab Emirates, which together accounted for a further 43%.

Poland, with a CAGR of +12.2%, recorded the highest rates of growth with regard to the value of exports, in terms of the main countries of destination over the period under review, while shipments for the other leaders experienced mixed trend patterns.

Export Prices by Country

The average plain postcard export price stood at $X per ton in 2021, jumping by 33% against the previous year. Overall, export price indicated a mild expansion from 2012 to 2021: its price increased at an average annual rate of +1.8% 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 export price increased by +37.2% against 2019 indices. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2013 when the average export price increased by 43%. Over the period under review, the average export prices hit record highs at $X per ton in 2014; however, from 2015 to 2021, the export prices remained at a lower figure.

There were significant differences in the average prices for the major foreign markets. In 2021, amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was the United Arab Emirates ($X per ton), while the average price for exports to the Czech Republic ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was recorded for supplies to the United Arab Emirates (+17.2%), while the prices for the other major destinations experienced more modest paces of growth.

Plain Postcard Imports

Imports into Germany

In 2021, approx. X tons of letter cards, plain postcards and correspondence cards were imported into Germany; rising by 14% on 2020 figures. Over the period under review, imports, however, continue to indicate a pronounced curtailment. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2013 when imports increased by 17% against the previous year. As a result, imports attained the peak of X tons. From 2014 to 2021, the growth of imports remained at a somewhat lower figure.

In value terms, plain postcard imports skyrocketed to $X in 2021. Overall, imports, however, showed a noticeable curtailment. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2017 with an increase of 26%. Imports peaked at $X in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2021, imports remained at a lower figure.

Imports by Country

The Czech Republic (X tons), China (X tons) and the Netherlands (X tons) were the main suppliers of plain postcard imports to Germany, with a combined 73% share of total imports. France, Switzerland, Poland, Vietnam, Austria, the UK, the United States and Italy lagged somewhat behind, together accounting for a further 23%.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of purchases, amongst the main suppliers, was attained by Vietnam (with a CAGR of +84.0%), while imports for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, the largest plain postcard suppliers to Germany were China ($X), the Czech Republic ($X) and Switzerland ($X), with a combined 61% share of total imports. Vietnam, the Netherlands, France, Poland, the United States, the UK, Austria and Italy lagged somewhat behind, together comprising a further 34%.

Among the main suppliers, Vietnam, with a CAGR of +98.4%, saw 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

In 2021, the average plain postcard import price amounted to $X per ton, almost unchanged from the previous year. Over the period under review, the import price, however, showed a mild decrease. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2017 when the average import price increased by 11% against the previous year. Over the period under review, average import prices reached the maximum at $X per ton in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2021, import prices failed to regain momentum.

There were significant differences in the average prices amongst the major supplying countries. In 2021, amid the top importers, the country with the highest price was Vietnam ($X per ton), while the price for the Czech Republic ($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 United States (+9.0%), while the prices for the other major suppliers experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Platform

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