Global Ink Market 2025

Ink Market Size

After three years of growth, the global ink market decreased by -2.5% to $X in 2021. In general, consumption saw a relatively flat trend pattern. Global consumption peaked at $X in 2020, and then dropped modestly in the following year.

Ink Production

In value terms, ink production reduced slightly to $X in 2021 estimated in export price. Overall, production continues to indicate a noticeable slump. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2014 when the production volume increased by 17% against the previous year. As a result, production reached the peak level of $X. From 2015 to 2021, global production growth remained at a lower figure.

Ink Exports

Exports

In 2021, global ink exports rose markedly to X tons, with an increase of 14% against 2020. Overall, exports continue to indicate a relatively flat trend pattern. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2018 with an increase of 27%. The global exports peaked at X tons in 2014; however, from 2015 to 2021, the exports failed to regain momentum.

In value terms, ink exports rose significantly to $X in 2021. Over the period under review, exports, however, recorded a relatively flat trend pattern. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2018 when exports increased by 83%. The global exports peaked at $X in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2021, the exports remained at a lower figure.

Exports by Country

In 2021, China (X tons), distantly followed by the Netherlands (X tons), Germany (X tons), France (X tons) and the UK (X tons) were the main exporters of inks (excluding printing ink), together comprising 59% of total exports. The following exporters - Japan (X tons), the United States (X tons), Singapore (X tons), South Korea (X tons), Hong Kong SAR (X tons), Spain (X tons), the Philippines (X tons) and Malaysia (X tons) - together made up 21% of total exports.

Exports from China increased at an average annual rate of +5.7% from 2012 to 2021. At the same time, the Philippines (+26.5%), the Netherlands (+11.9%), South Korea (+6.3%), Spain (+5.0%), the UK (+4.8%), Japan (+2.7%) and France (+1.8%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, the Philippines emerged as the fastest-growing exporter exported in the world, with a CAGR of +26.5% from 2012-2021. Hong Kong SAR and Germany experienced a relatively flat trend pattern. By contrast, Singapore (-1.3%), the United States (-7.9%) and Malaysia (-11.1%) illustrated a downward trend over the same period. China (+9.4 p.p.), the Netherlands (+7.2 p.p.), the Philippines (+1.8 p.p.) and the UK (+1.6 p.p.) significantly strengthened its position in terms of the global exports, while the United States and Malaysia saw its share reduced by -3.7% and -3.9% from 2012 to 2021, respectively. The shares of the other countries remained relatively stable throughout the analyzed period.

In value terms, the largest ink supplying countries worldwide were Germany ($X), the Netherlands ($X) and the UK ($X), together comprising 63% of global exports. These countries were followed by China, France, Singapore, Japan, the United States, Spain, Malaysia, Hong Kong SAR, South Korea and the Philippines, which together accounted for a further 23%.

In terms of the main exporting countries, the Philippines, with a CAGR of +22.4%, saw the highest rates of growth with regard to the value of exports, over the period under review, while shipments for the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Export Prices by Country

The average ink export price stood at $X per ton in 2021, with a decrease of -7.2% against the previous year. In general, the export price recorded a relatively flat trend pattern. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2018 when the average export price increased by 44%. Over the period under review, the average export prices hit record highs at $X per ton in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2021, the export prices stood at a somewhat lower figure.

There were significant differences in the average prices amongst the major exporting countries. In 2021, amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was Germany ($X per ton), while China ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Malaysia (+8.9%), while the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Ink Imports

Imports

In 2021, the amount of inks (excluding printing ink) imported worldwide skyrocketed to X tons, rising by 16% compared with the previous year. The total import volume increased at an average annual rate of +1.8% from 2012 to 2021; however, the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2018 when imports increased by 29% against the previous year. Over the period under review, global imports attained the peak figure in 2021 and are expected to retain growth in the near future.

In value terms, ink imports rose markedly to $X in 2021. In general, total imports indicated a mild expansion from 2012 to 2021: its value increased at an average annual rate of +1.3% over the last nine-year period. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2021 figures, imports increased by +110.5% against 2017 indices. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2018 when imports increased by 81% against the previous year. Global imports peaked in 2021 and are likely to see steady growth in the immediate term.

Imports by Country

China (X tons), the Netherlands (X tons), Germany (X tons), Singapore (X tons) and France (X tons) represented roughly 42% of total imports in 2021. The following importers - Vietnam (X tons), Indonesia (X tons), the UK (X tons), Thailand (X tons), India (X tons), Italy (X tons), the United States (X tons) and Russia (X tons) - together made up 25% of total imports.

From 2012 to 2021, the biggest increases were recorded for Indonesia (with a CAGR of +16.9%), while purchases for the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, Germany ($X), the Netherlands ($X) and France ($X) appeared to be the countries with the highest levels of imports in 2021, together accounting for 53% of global imports. The UK, Italy, China, Singapore, Indonesia, Russia, Thailand, the United States, Vietnam and India lagged somewhat behind, together accounting for a further 23%.

Indonesia, with a CAGR of +24.8%, recorded the highest growth rate of the value of imports, among the main importing countries over the period under review, while purchases for the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Import Prices by Country

In 2021, the average ink import price amounted to $X per ton, dropping by -7.7% against the previous year. In general, the import price saw a relatively flat trend pattern. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2018 an increase of 40% against the previous year. Over the period under review, average import prices hit record highs at $X per ton in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2021, import prices stood at a somewhat lower figure.

There were significant differences in the average prices amongst the major importing countries. In 2021, amid the top importers, the country with the highest price was Germany ($X per ton), while Vietnam ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Indonesia (+6.8%), while the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Platform

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) :