U.S.: Postcard Market 2024

Postcard Market Size in the U.S.

The U.S. postcard market surged to $X in 2021, with an increase of 54% against the previous year. This figure reflects the total revenues of producers and importers (excluding logistics costs, retail marketing costs, and retailers' margins, which will be included in the final consumer price). Over the period under review, the total consumption indicated a buoyant expansion from 2012 to 2021: its value increased at an average annual rate of +5.4% over the last nine-year period. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. As a result, consumption reached the peak level and is likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

Postcard Exports

Exports from the U.S.

In 2021, shipments abroad of printed or illustrated postcards and printed cards decreased by -39.9% to X tons, falling for the sixth year in a row after four years of growth. Overall, exports continue to indicate a precipitous slump. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2015 when exports increased by 11%. As a result, the exports reached the peak of X tons. From 2016 to 2021, the growth of the exports remained at a lower figure.

In value terms, postcard exports stood at $X in 2021. Over the period under review, exports continue to indicate a deep slump. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2015 when exports increased by 6.8%. Over the period under review, the exports attained the maximum at $X in 2016; however, from 2017 to 2021, the exports failed to regain momentum.

Exports by Country

Canada (X tons) was the main destination for postcard exports from the United States, accounting for a 82% share of total exports. Moreover, postcard exports to Canada exceeded the volume sent to the second major destination, Mexico (X tons), more than tenfold. The third position in this ranking was taken by the UK (X tons), with a 2.6% share.

From 2012 to 2021, the average annual rate of growth in terms of volume to Canada amounted to -25.0%. Exports to the other major destinations recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: Mexico (-34.3% per year) and the UK (-25.5% per year).

In value terms, Canada ($X) remains the key foreign market for printed or illustrated postcards and printed cards exports from the United States, comprising 89% of total exports. The second position in the ranking was held by the UK ($X), with a 2.4% share of total exports. It was followed by Mexico, with a 1.4% share.

From 2012 to 2021, the average annual growth rate of value to Canada totaled -5.9%. Exports to the other major destinations recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: the UK (-7.9% per year) and Mexico (-25.8% per year).

Export Prices by Country

The average postcard export price stood at $X per ton in 2021, picking up by 67% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the export price enjoyed a significant increase. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2020 an increase of 248%. The export price peaked in 2021 and is expected to retain growth in years to come.

Prices varied noticeably country of destination: the country with the highest price was Canada ($X per ton), while the average price for exports to Cayman Islands ($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 Canada (+25.4%), while the prices for the other major destinations experienced more modest paces of growth.

Postcard Imports

Imports into the U.S.

In 2021, approx. X tons of printed or illustrated postcards and printed cards were imported into the United States; growing by 96% compared with 2020. Overall, total imports indicated a prominent increase from 2012 to 2021: its volume increased at an average annual rate of +6.8% over the last nine years. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. As a result, imports reached the peak and are likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

In value terms, postcard imports stood at $X in 2021. In general, imports, however, saw a noticeable decline. Imports peaked at $X in 2017; however, from 2018 to 2021, imports failed to regain momentum.

Imports by Country

In 2021, China (X tons) was the main supplier of postcard to the United States, with a 91% share of total imports. Moreover, postcard imports from China exceeded the figures recorded by the second-largest supplier, Vietnam (X tons), more than tenfold.

From 2012 to 2021, the average annual growth rate of volume from China stood at +6.8%. The remaining supplying countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: Vietnam (+101.5% per year) and Canada (-14.9% per year).

In value terms, China ($X) constituted the largest supplier of printed or illustrated postcards and printed cards to the United States, comprising 81% of total imports. The second position in the ranking was taken by Vietnam ($X), with an 11% share of total imports.

From 2012 to 2021, the average annual rate of growth in terms of value from China stood at -4.2%. The remaining supplying countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: Vietnam (+94.8% per year) and Canada (-13.3% per year).

Import Prices by Country

In 2021, the average postcard import price amounted to $X per ton, dropping by -41.5% against the previous year. In general, the import price recorded a abrupt decrease. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2018 when the average import price increased by 17% against the previous year. Over the period under review, average import prices reached the maximum at $X per ton in 2015; however, from 2016 to 2021, import prices remained at a lower figure.

There were significant differences in the average prices amongst the major supplying countries. In 2021, the country with the highest price was Canada ($X per ton), while the price for China ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Canada (+1.8%), while the prices for the other major suppliers experienced a decline.

Source: IndexBox Platform

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