Panama: Metal Letter Clip Market 2025

Metal Letter Clip Market Size in Panama

In 2022, after six years of growth, there was significant decline in the Panamanian metal letter clip market, when its value decreased by -85.8% to $X. Over the period under review, consumption saw a abrupt setback. As a result, consumption attained the peak level of $X, and then shrank markedly in the following year.

Metal Letter Clip Exports

Exports from Panama

In 2022, the amount of letter clips, letter corners of base metal exported from Panama surged to X tons, with an increase of 214% compared with the previous year's figure. In general, exports, however, continue to indicate a deep downturn. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2016 when exports increased by 924%. As a result, the exports attained the peak of X tons. From 2017 to 2022, the growth of the exports remained at a somewhat lower figure.

In value terms, metal letter clip exports skyrocketed to $X in 2022. Over the period under review, exports, however, showed a abrupt shrinkage. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2016 when exports increased by 739% against the previous year. The exports peaked at $X in 2017; however, from 2018 to 2022, the exports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Exports by Country

Cuba (X tons), Jamaica (X tons) and Nicaragua (X tons) were the main destinations of metal letter clip exports from Panama, together comprising 27% of total exports. Costa Rica, Venezuela, Honduras, Colombia, the United States, Guyana, Trinidad and Tobago, the Dominican Republic, Guatemala and El Salvador lagged somewhat behind, together comprising a further 30%.

From 2012 to 2022, the biggest increases were recorded for the United States (with a CAGR of +29.1%), while shipments for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, the largest markets for metal letter clip exported from Panama were Cuba ($X), Nicaragua ($X) and Costa Rica ($X), together accounting for 26% of total exports. Jamaica, Venezuela, Honduras, Colombia, the United States, Trinidad and Tobago, Guyana, the Dominican Republic, Guatemala and El Salvador lagged somewhat behind, together accounting for a further 29%.

In terms of the main countries of destination, the United States, with a CAGR of +36.4%, recorded the highest rates of growth with regard to 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

In 2022, the average metal letter clip export price amounted to $X per ton, with an increase of 21% against the previous year. Over the period from 2012 to 2022, it increased at an average annual rate of +2.5%. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2017 an increase of 48%. The export price peaked at $X per ton in 2020; however, from 2021 to 2022, the export prices failed to regain momentum.

There were significant differences in the average prices for the major overseas markets. In 2022, amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was El Salvador ($X per ton), while the average price for exports to Guyana ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was recorded for supplies to Costa Rica (+6.4%), while the prices for the other major destinations experienced more modest paces of growth.

Metal Letter Clip Imports

Imports into Panama

In 2022, after four years of decline, there was significant growth in purchases abroad of letter clips, letter corners of base metal, when their volume increased by 15% to X tons. Over the period under review, imports, however, recorded a noticeable setback. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2017 when imports increased by 103% against the previous year. As a result, imports reached the peak of X tons. From 2018 to 2022, the growth of imports remained at a somewhat lower figure.

In value terms, metal letter clip imports skyrocketed to $X in 2022. In general, imports recorded notable growth. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2017 when imports increased by 194% against the previous year. As a result, imports attained the peak of $X. From 2018 to 2022, the growth of imports remained at a lower figure.

Imports by Country

Free Zones (X tons), China (X tons) and Taiwan (Chinese) (X tons) were the main suppliers of metal letter clip imports to Panama, together accounting for 85% of total imports. The United States, Colombia, Costa Rica and Mexico lagged somewhat behind, together accounting for a further 14%.

From 2012 to 2022, the biggest increases were recorded for Costa Rica (with a CAGR of +50.1%), while purchases for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, Free Zones ($X), China ($X) and Taiwan (Chinese) ($X) appeared to be the largest metal letter clip suppliers to Panama, together accounting for 85% of total imports. The United States, Costa Rica, Colombia and Mexico lagged somewhat behind, together comprising a further 15%.

In terms of the main suppliers, Costa Rica, with a CAGR of +33.5%, 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

The average metal letter clip import price stood at $X per ton in 2022, with an increase of 23% against the previous year. Over the period under review, import price indicated a remarkable increase from 2012 to 2022: its price increased at an average annual rate of +5.5% over the last decade. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2022 figures, metal letter clip import price increased by +50.9% against 2020 indices. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2017 when the average import price increased by 45% against the previous year. Over the period under review, average import prices reached the peak figure in 2022 and is expected to retain growth in the immediate term.

There were significant differences in the average prices amongst the major supplying countries. In 2022, amid the top importers, the country with the highest price was Taiwan (Chinese) ($X per ton), while the price for Mexico ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Taiwan (Chinese) (+6.7%), while the prices for the other major suppliers experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Platform