Clasp Knife Market

The global clasp knife market is experiencing an upward consumption trend, with market performance expected to grow at a CAGR of +2.9% in volume and +3.9% in value from 2022 to 2030. Despite a decrease in consumption in 2022, the market has shown resilience over the years. The United States leads in both consumption and import structure, with China dominating production and exports. Prices have fluctuated over the years, with notable growth rates in certain countries. Stay informed about market dynamics and emerging trends in the clasp knife industry.

Market Forecast

Driven by increasing demand for clasp knives worldwide, the market is expected to continue an upward consumption trend over the next eight years. Market performance is forecast to decelerate, expanding with an anticipated CAGR of +2.9% for the period from 2022 to 2030, which is projected to bring the market volume to 581M units by the end of 2030.

In value terms, the market is forecast to increase with an anticipated CAGR of +3.9% for the period from 2022 to 2030, which is projected to bring the market value to $1.7B (in nominal prices) by the end of 2030.

Consumption

World Consumption of Clasp Knives

In 2022, consumption of clasp knives decreased by -17.2% to 463M units for the first time since 2019, thus ending a two-year rising trend. Over the period under review, consumption, however, enjoyed a prominent increase. Global consumption peaked at 560M units in 2021, and then reduced dramatically in the following year.

The global clasp knife market value declined to $1.3B in 2022, dropping by -11.7% 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). The market value increased at an average annual rate of +2.4% from 2012 to 2022; however, the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. As a result, consumption reached the peak level of $1.4B, and then shrank in the following year.

Consumption By Country

The country with the largest volume of clasp knife consumption was the United States (248M units), comprising approx. 53% of total volume. Moreover, clasp knife consumption in the United States exceeded the figures recorded by the second-largest consumer, China (42M units), sixfold. The third position in this ranking was held by Canada (12M units), with a 2.7% share.

In the United States, clasp knife consumption expanded at an average annual rate of +13.2% over the period from 2012-2022. In the other countries, the average annual rates were as follows: China (-1.7% per year) and Canada (+1.7% per year).

In value terms, the United States ($425M) led the market, alone. The second position in the ranking was held by Pakistan ($205M). It was followed by Japan.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual growth rate of value in the United States amounted to +7.2%. The remaining consuming countries recorded the following average annual rates of market growth: Pakistan (-1.2% per year) and Japan (-1.1% per year).

The countries with the highest levels of clasp knife per capita consumption in 2022 were Belgium (797 units per 1000 persons), the United States (739 units per 1000 persons) and Australia (361 units per 1000 persons).

From 2012 to 2022, the biggest increases were recorded for India (with a CAGR of +20.9%), while consumption for the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Production

World Production of Clasp Knives

In 2022, production of clasp knives decreased by -7.5% to 442M units for the first time since 2015, thus ending a six-year rising trend. Overall, production, however, enjoyed a strong expansion. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2020 when the production volume increased by 101% against the previous year. Over the period under review, global production attained the maximum volume at 478M units in 2021, and then reduced in the following year.

In value terms, clasp knife production shrank to $1.1B in 2022 estimated in export price. The total output value increased at an average annual rate of +2.0% over the period from 2012 to 2022; however, the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded in certain years. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2021 with an increase of 21% against the previous year. As a result, production reached the peak level of $1.2B, and then reduced in the following year.

Production By Country

China (393M units) remains the largest clasp knife producing country worldwide, comprising approx. 89% of total volume. It was followed by Japan (12M units), with a 2.7% share of total production.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual growth rate of volume in China amounted to +13.4%. In the other countries, the average annual rates were as follows: Japan (+2.0% per year) and Pakistan (+0.2% per year).

Imports

World Imports of Clasp Knives

In 2022, purchases abroad of clasp knives increased by 1.8% to 434M units, rising for the second consecutive year after two years of decline. Over the period under review, imports enjoyed a resilient expansion. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2021 with an increase of 70% against the previous year. Global imports peaked in 2022 and are likely to see steady growth in the immediate term.

In value terms, clasp knife imports amounted to $875M in 2022. The total import value increased at an average annual rate of +4.2% from 2012 to 2022; however, the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded in certain years. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2021 when imports increased by 33% against the previous year. Global imports peaked in 2022 and are expected to retain growth in the immediate term.

Imports By Country

The United States dominates imports structure, reaching 262M units, which was approx. 60% of total imports in 2022. Germany (15M units), Belgium (13M units), Canada (13M units), Australia (9.5M units), the Netherlands (8.4M units), India (8.2M units), Mexico (7.8M units), France (7.7M units), Thailand (7M units) and Russia (6.6M units) took a little share of total imports.

From 2012 to 2022, average annual rates of growth with regard to clasp knife imports into the United States stood at +13.5%. At the same time, Thailand (+28.3%), India (+18.8%), Australia (+14.8%), the Netherlands (+12.1%), Belgium (+10.6%), Mexico (+6.3%), Russia (+6.2%), Germany (+3.0%), France (+2.1%) and Canada (+1.8%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, Thailand emerged as the fastest-growing importer imported in the world, with a CAGR of +28.3% from 2012-2022. The United States (+18 p.p.) significantly strengthened its position in terms of the global imports, while France, Germany and Canada saw its share reduced by -1.8%, -3% and -3.1% from 2012 to 2022, respectively. The shares of the other countries remained relatively stable throughout the analyzed period.

In value terms, the United States ($321M) constitutes the largest market for imported clasp knives worldwide, comprising 37% of global imports. The second position in the ranking was held by Germany ($104M), with a 12% share of global imports. It was followed by Canada, with a 4.7% share.

In the United States, clasp knife imports expanded at an average annual rate of +3.4% over the period from 2012-2022. In the other countries, the average annual rates were as follows: Germany (+5.3% per year) and Canada (+2.5% per year).

Import Prices By Country

In 2022, the average clasp knife import price amounted to $2 per unit, remaining constant against the previous year. In general, the import price continues to indicate a pronounced reduction. Global import price peaked at $3.3 per unit in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, import prices failed to regain momentum.

There were significant differences in the average prices amongst the major importing countries. In 2022, amid the top importers, the country with the highest price was Germany ($6.9 per unit), while Thailand ($0.4 per unit) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Germany (+2.3%), while the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Exports

World Exports of Clasp Knives

Global clasp knife exports soared to 412M units in 2022, growing by 20% compared with the previous year. Overall, exports showed strong growth. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2021 with an increase of 81%. The global exports peaked in 2022 and are likely to see gradual growth in the near future.

In value terms, clasp knife exports dropped slightly to $768M in 2022. In general, total exports indicated a buoyant increase from 2012 to 2022: its value increased at an average annual rate of +6.2% over the last decade. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2022 figures, exports increased by +83.2% against 2012 indices. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2021 with an increase of 33% against the previous year. As a result, the exports attained the peak of $779M, and then shrank in the following year.

Exports By Country

China dominates exports structure, recording 352M units, which was approx. 85% of total exports in 2022. The following exporters - the United States (14M units), Germany (6.7M units) and the Netherlands (6.6M units) - together made up 6.7% of total exports.

From 2012 to 2022, average annual rates of growth with regard to clasp knife exports from China stood at +18.9%. At the same time, the United States (+22.4%), the Netherlands (+15.1%) and Germany (+5.3%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, the United States emerged as the fastest-growing exporter exported in the world, with a CAGR of +22.4% from 2012-2022. While the share of China (+15 p.p.) increased significantly in terms of the global exports from 2012-2022, the share of Germany (-2.9 p.p.) displayed negative dynamics. The shares of the other countries remained relatively stable throughout the analyzed period.

In value terms, China ($278M) remains the largest clasp knife supplier worldwide, comprising 36% of global exports. The second position in the ranking was held by the United States ($89M), with a 12% share of global exports. It was followed by Germany, with an 11% share.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual growth rate of value in China amounted to +7.9%. In the other countries, the average annual rates were as follows: the United States (+8.4% per year) and Germany (+8.6% per year).

Export Prices By Country

In 2022, the average clasp knife export price amounted to $1.9 per unit, falling by -17.7% against the previous year. In general, the export price recorded a deep downturn. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2013 an increase of 1.6%. As a result, the export price reached the peak level of $4.8 per unit. From 2014 to 2022, the average export prices failed to regain momentum.

Prices varied noticeably by country of origin: amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was Germany ($13 per unit), while China ($0.8 per unit) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Germany (+3.2%), while the other global leaders experienced a decline in the export price figures.

Source: IndexBox Market Intelligence Platform