Japan: Plain Postcard Market 2025

Plain Postcard Market Size in Japan

After two years of decline, the Japanese plain postcard market increased by 23% to $X in 2021. In general, consumption continues to indicate a slight increase. Over the period under review, the market hit record highs at $X in 2018; however, from 2019 to 2021, consumption failed to regain momentum.

Plain Postcard Production in Japan

In value terms, plain postcard production soared to $X in 2021 estimated in export price. In general, production posted slight growth. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2017 with an increase of 55% against the previous year. Over the period under review, production reached the maximum level at $X in 2018; however, from 2019 to 2021, production stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Plain Postcard Exports

Exports from Japan

In 2021, approx. X tons of letter cards, plain postcards and correspondence cards were exported from Japan; surging by 92% compared with 2020. In general, exports saw resilient growth. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2017 when exports increased by 126%. The exports peaked in 2021 and are expected to retain growth in the near future.

In value terms, plain postcard exports soared to $X in 2021. Over the period under review, exports showed a notable increase. As a result, the exports reached the peak and are likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

Exports by Country

Indonesia (X tons), Malaysia (X tons) and Myanmar (X tons) were the main destinations of plain postcard exports from Japan, with a combined 66% share of total exports.

From 2012 to 2021, the biggest increases were recorded for Myanmar (with a CAGR of +21.6%), while shipments for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, Taiwan (Chinese) ($X), Hong Kong SAR ($X) and Malaysia ($X) appeared to be the largest markets for plain postcard exported from Japan worldwide, together comprising 56% of total exports.

Taiwan (Chinese), with a CAGR of +19.1%, recorded the highest growth rate of the value of exports, among the main countries of destination over the period under review, while shipments for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Export Prices by Country

In 2021, the average plain postcard export price amounted to $X per ton, increasing by 29% against the previous year. In general, the export price, however, showed a pronounced decline. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2013 when the average export price increased by 60% against the previous year. As a result, the export price reached the peak level of $X per ton. From 2014 to 2021, the average export prices failed to regain momentum.

Prices varied noticeably by country of destination: amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was Taiwan (Chinese) ($X per ton), while the average price for exports to Indonesia ($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 Malaysia (+6.1%), while the prices for the other major destinations experienced more modest paces of growth.

Plain Postcard Imports

Imports into Japan

In 2021, supplies from abroad of letter cards, plain postcards and correspondence cards was finally on the rise to reach X tons for the first time since 2018, thus ending a two-year declining trend. In general, imports, however, recorded a perceptible downturn. Imports peaked at X tons in 2014; however, from 2015 to 2021, imports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

In value terms, plain postcard imports soared to $X in 2021. Overall, imports, however, saw a abrupt decline. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2018 with an increase of 56%. 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

In 2021, China (X tons) constituted the largest supplier of plain postcard to Japan, accounting for a 72% share of total imports. Moreover, plain postcard imports from China exceeded the figures recorded by the second-largest supplier, Taiwan (Chinese) (X tons), more than tenfold. The third position in this ranking was taken by the United States (X tons), with a 5.9% share.

From 2012 to 2021, the average annual rate of growth in terms of volume from China totaled -5.7%. The remaining supplying countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: Taiwan (Chinese) (+1.6% per year) and the United States (+1.9% per year).

In value terms, the largest plain postcard suppliers to Japan were China ($X), the United States ($X) and South Korea ($X), together comprising 72% of total imports. These countries were followed by France, Vietnam, Taiwan (Chinese), Thailand and Italy, which together accounted for a further 19%.

Vietnam, with a CAGR of +35.7%, saw the highest rates of growth with regard to the value of imports, among the main suppliers over the period under review, while purchases for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Import Prices by Country

The average plain postcard import price stood at $X per ton in 2021, waning by -7.2% against the previous year. Overall, the import price showed a noticeable reduction. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2013 an increase of 28% against the previous year. As a result, import price reached the peak level of $X per ton. From 2014 to 2021, the average import prices failed to regain momentum.

Prices varied noticeably by country of origin: amid the top importers, the country with the highest price was the United States ($X per ton), while the price for China ($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 (+5.1%), while the prices for the other major suppliers experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Platform

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