United Kingdom: Cork Article Market 2025

Cork Article Market Size in the UK

The UK cork article market soared to $X in 2021, increasing by 29% against the previous year. Overall, consumption showed a relatively flat trend pattern. Cork article consumption peaked at $X in 2014; however, from 2015 to 2021, consumption remained at a lower figure.

Cork Article Production in the UK

In value terms, cork article production rose sharply to $X in 2021 estimated in export price. Overall, production, however, showed a relatively flat trend pattern. Cork article production peaked at $X in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2021, production stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Cork Article Exports

Exports from the UK

In 2021, overseas shipments of cork articles decreased by -3.2% to X tons, falling for the third consecutive year after two years of growth. In general, exports, however, recorded a mild increase. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2017 when exports increased by 59% against the previous year. The exports peaked at X tons in 2018; however, from 2019 to 2021, the exports remained at a lower figure.

In value terms, cork article exports totaled $X in 2021. Overall, exports, however, showed a relatively flat trend pattern. The exports peaked at $X in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2021, the exports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Exports by Country

Australia (X tons), China (X tons) and Poland (X tons) were the main destinations of cork article exports from the UK, together comprising 35% of total exports. Portugal, Ireland, the Netherlands, Italy, South Africa, Germany, Azerbaijan, Gabon, the United Arab Emirates and France lagged somewhat behind, together accounting for a further 43%.

From 2012 to 2021, the biggest increases were recorded for Azerbaijan (with a CAGR of +82.6%), while shipments for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, Australia ($X), Italy ($X) and the Netherlands ($X) constituted the largest markets for cork article exported from the UK worldwide, with a combined 24% share of total exports. These countries were followed by Gabon, Germany, Portugal, Poland, Ireland, the United Arab Emirates, China, France, South Africa and Azerbaijan, which together accounted for a further 38%.

Azerbaijan, with a CAGR of +46.9%, saw 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 more modest paces of growth.

Export Prices by Country

In 2021, the average cork article export price amounted to $X per ton, picking up by 17% against the previous year. In general, the export price, however, continues to indicate a slight shrinkage. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2020 an increase of 64% against the previous year. The export price peaked at $X per ton in 2014; however, from 2015 to 2021, the export prices stood at a somewhat lower figure.

There were significant differences in the average prices for the major external markets. In 2021, amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was Gabon ($X per ton), while the average price for exports to China ($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 Netherlands (+7.4%), while the prices for the other major destinations experienced more modest paces of growth.

Cork Article Imports

Imports into the UK

In 2021, approx. X tons of cork articles were imported into the UK; approximately mirroring the previous year's figure. Over the period under review, imports, however, saw a slight decrease. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2019 with an increase of 39%. Over the period under review, imports hit record highs at X tons in 2015; however, from 2016 to 2021, imports remained at a lower figure.

In value terms, cork article imports surged to $X in 2021. The total import value increased at an average annual rate of +3.2% from 2012 to 2021; however, the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded in certain years. Imports peaked at $X in 2019; however, from 2020 to 2021, imports failed to regain momentum.

Imports by Country

Portugal (X tons), China (X tons) and France (X tons) were the main suppliers of cork article imports to the UK, with a combined 90% share of total imports. These countries were followed by Germany and Ireland, which together accounted for a further 4%.

From 2012 to 2021, the biggest increases were recorded for Ireland (with a CAGR of +25.9%), while purchases for the other leaders experienced mixed trend patterns.

In value terms, Portugal ($X) constituted the largest supplier of cork articles to the UK, comprising 73% of total imports. The second position in the ranking was taken by France ($X), with a 9.7% share of total imports. It was followed by China, with an 8.8% share.

From 2012 to 2021, the average annual growth rate of value from Portugal stood at +3.7%. The remaining supplying countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: France (-0.4% per year) and China (+3.4% per year).

Import Prices by Country

In 2021, the average cork article import price amounted to $X per ton, increasing by 36% against the previous year. Over the period from 2012 to 2021, it increased at an average annual rate of +4.7%. As a result, import price attained the peak level and is likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

Prices varied noticeably by country of origin: amid the top importers, the country with the highest price was Portugal ($X per ton), while the price for China ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Germany (+13.5%), while the prices for the other major suppliers experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Platform

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