Ireland: Cork Article Market 2025

Cork Article Market Size in Ireland

In 2021, the Irish cork article market decreased by -19.6% to $X, falling for the second year in a row after four years of growth. Overall, consumption, however, recorded a buoyant expansion. Cork article consumption peaked at $X in 2019; however, from 2020 to 2021, consumption remained at a lower figure.

Cork Article Exports

Exports from Ireland

In 2021, cork article exports from Ireland fell markedly to X tons, with a decrease of -29.2% against 2020 figures. Overall, exports continue to indicate a mild shrinkage. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2018 when exports increased by 322%. As a result, the exports reached the peak of X tons. From 2019 to 2021, the growth of the exports remained at a somewhat lower figure.

In value terms, cork article exports declined dramatically to $X in 2021. Over the period under review, exports, however, saw a notable expansion. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2018 with an increase of 374%. The exports peaked at $X in 2020, and then shrank remarkably in the following year.

Exports by Country

The UK (X tons) was the main destination for cork article exports from Ireland, with a 77% share of total exports. Moreover, cork article exports to the UK exceeded the volume sent to the second major destination, the United States (X kg), sixfold. France (X kg) ranked third in terms of total exports with a 4.4% share.

From 2012 to 2021, the average annual rate of growth in terms of volume to the UK amounted to -3.5%. Exports to the other major destinations recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: the United States (+57.6% per year) and France (+39.3% per year).

In value terms, the UK ($X) emerged as the key foreign market for cork articles exports from Ireland, comprising 64% of total exports. The second position in the ranking was taken by the United States ($X), with an 18% share of total exports. It was followed by France, with a 9.6% share.

From 2012 to 2021, the average annual rate of growth in terms of value to the UK was relatively modest. Exports to the other major destinations recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: the United States (+40.2% per year) and France (+79.9% per year).

Export Prices by Country

In 2021, the average cork article export price amounted to $X per ton, waning by -20.1% against the previous year. Overall, the export price, however, recorded a buoyant expansion. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2013 an increase of 79%. Over the period under review, the average export prices reached the peak figure at $X per ton in 2020, and then contracted notably in the following year.

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 France ($X per ton), while the average price for exports to the UK ($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 France (+29.2%), while the prices for the other major destinations experienced more modest paces of growth.

Cork Article Imports

Imports into Ireland

In 2021, overseas purchases of cork articles decreased by -42.6% to X tons, falling for the second consecutive year after two years of growth. Overall, imports, however, enjoyed a moderate increase. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2019 when imports increased by 96%. Imports peaked at X tons in 2014; however, from 2015 to 2021, imports failed to regain momentum.

In value terms, cork article imports contracted to $X in 2021. In general, imports, however, continue to indicate buoyant growth. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2013 when imports increased by 138% against the previous year. Over the period under review, imports hit record highs at $X in 2019; however, from 2020 to 2021, imports remained at a lower figure.

Imports by Country

Portugal (X tons), the UK (X tons) and China (X tons) were the main suppliers of cork article imports to Ireland, together comprising 85% of total imports. These countries were followed by the United States, Belgium and Germany, which together accounted for a further 8.5%.

From 2012 to 2021, the biggest increases were recorded for the United States (with a CAGR of +55.8%), while purchases for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, Portugal ($X) constituted the largest supplier of cork articles to Ireland, comprising 58% of total imports. The second position in the ranking was taken by the UK ($X), with a 19% share of total imports. It was followed by China, with an 8.9% share.

From 2012 to 2021, the average annual growth rate of value from Portugal stood at +26.6%. The remaining supplying countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: the UK (+1.0% per year) and China (+1.1% per year).

Import Prices by Country

The average cork article import price stood at $X per ton in 2021, increasing by 64% against the previous year. In general, import price indicated a resilient increase from 2012 to 2021: its price increased at an average annual rate of +8.6% over the last nine-year period. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. As a result, import price attained the peak level and is likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

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 the United States ($X per ton), while the price for Belgium ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Germany (+13.4%), while the prices for the other major suppliers experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Platform

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