United Kingdom: Plain Postcard Market 2025

Plain Postcard Market Size in the UK

In 2021, the UK plain postcard market was finally on the rise to reach $X for the first time since 2018, thus ending a two-year declining trend. In general, the total consumption indicated a modest increase from 2012 to 2021: its value increased at an average annual rate of +1.9% over the last nine-year period. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2021 figures, consumption decreased by -21.4% against 2018 indices. As a result, consumption attained the peak level of $X. From 2016 to 2021, the growth of the market remained at a lower figure.

Plain Postcard Production in the UK

In value terms, plain postcard production surged to $X in 2021 estimated in export price. Over the period under review, production showed buoyant growth. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2018 with an increase of 177% against the previous year. As a result, production attained the peak level of $X. From 2019 to 2021, production growth failed to regain momentum.

Plain Postcard Exports

Exports from the UK

Plain postcard exports from the UK surged to X tons in 2021, with an increase of 22% against the previous year's figure. In general, exports, however, recorded a drastic downturn. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2019 with an increase of 25%. Over the period under review, the exports attained the peak figure at X tons in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2021, the exports remained at a lower figure.

In value terms, plain postcard exports reached $X in 2021. Overall, exports, however, saw a abrupt decline. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2017 with an increase of 14% against the previous year. The exports peaked at $X in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2021, the exports remained at a lower figure.

Exports by Country

The United States (X tons), the Netherlands (X tons) and the United Arab Emirates (X tons) were the main destinations of plain postcard exports from the UK, together accounting for 54% of total exports. France, Ireland, Germany, Australia, Belgium, Poland, Nigeria, Norway and Gibraltar lagged somewhat behind, together comprising a further 29%.

From 2012 to 2021, the biggest increases were recorded for Poland (with a CAGR of +22.9%), while shipments for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, the United States ($X) emerged as the key foreign market for letter cards, plain postcards and correspondence cards exports from the UK, comprising 43% of total exports. The second position in the ranking was held by the Netherlands ($X), with an 8.5% share of total exports. It was followed by Australia, with a 7.7% share.

From 2012 to 2021, the average annual growth rate of value to the United States amounted to +10.1%. Exports to the other major destinations recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: the Netherlands (+9.8% per year) and Australia (-12.5% per year).

Export Prices by Country

In 2021, the average plain postcard export price amounted to $X per ton, declining by -14.3% against the previous year. In general, export price indicated a perceptible increase from 2012 to 2021: its price increased at an average annual rate of +3.9% over the last nine years. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2021 figures, plain postcard export price increased by +6.8% against 2019 indices. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2013 an increase of 29%. The export price peaked at $X per ton in 2020, and then fell in the following year.

Prices varied noticeably by country of destination: amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was Australia ($X per ton), while the average price for exports to Ireland ($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 Nigeria (+9.4%), while the prices for the other major destinations experienced more modest paces of growth.

Plain Postcard Imports

Imports into the UK

In 2021, supplies from abroad of letter cards, plain postcards and correspondence cards increased by 5.8% to X tons, rising for the second year in a row after four years of decline. In general, imports, however, continue to indicate a relatively flat trend pattern. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2015 with an increase of 103%. As a result, imports reached the peak of X tons. From 2016 to 2021, the growth of imports remained at a lower figure.

In value terms, plain postcard imports dropped to $X in 2021. Over the period under review, imports, however, recorded a drastic downturn. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2015 when imports increased by 62%. As a result, imports attained the peak of $X. From 2016 to 2021, the growth of imports failed to regain momentum.

Imports by Country

In 2021, China (X tons) constituted the largest supplier of plain postcard to the UK, accounting for a 69% share of total imports. Moreover, plain postcard imports from China exceeded the figures recorded by the second-largest supplier, the United States (X tons), fivefold. The third position in this ranking was taken by India (X tons), with an 11% share.

From 2012 to 2021, the average annual rate of growth in terms of volume from China was relatively modest. The remaining supplying countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: the United States (+17.1% per year) and India (+12.9% per year).

In value terms, China ($X) constituted the largest supplier of letter cards, plain postcards and correspondence cards to the UK, comprising 62% of total imports. The second position in the ranking was held by the United States ($X), with a 14% share of total imports. It was followed by India, with a 5.6% share.

From 2012 to 2021, the average annual growth rate of value from China amounted to -6.1%. The remaining supplying countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: the United States (-0.1% per year) and India (+8.0% per year).

Import Prices by Country

The average plain postcard import price stood at $X per ton in 2021, with a decrease of -14.7% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the import price saw a deep setback. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2017 when the average import price increased by 27% against the previous year. Over the period under review, average import prices reached the maximum at $X per ton in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2021, import prices stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Prices varied noticeably by country of origin: amid the top importers, the country with the highest price was Germany ($X per ton), while the price for India ($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 (+5.0%), while the prices for the other major suppliers experienced a decline.

Source: IndexBox Platform

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