Playing Cards Market

The global market for playing cards is anticipated to expand in both volume and value from 2022 to 2030, with a forecasted CAGR of +0.9% and +2.8%, respectively. Consumption, production, imports, and exports of playing cards have shown notable growth trends, with the United States being a major player in both consumption and imports. China leads in production and exports, while other countries such as Japan, Germany, and Belgium also play significant roles in the market. Average import and export prices have fluctuated over the years, with the United States having the highest export price per ton in 2022. Overall, the playing cards market is expected to see continued growth in the near future.

Market Forecast

Driven by increasing demand for playing cards 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 +0.9% for the period from 2022 to 2030, which is projected to bring the market volume to 201K tons by the end of 2030.

In value terms, the market is forecast to increase with an anticipated CAGR of +2.8% for the period from 2022 to 2030, which is projected to bring the market value to $2.9B (in nominal prices) by the end of 2030.

Consumption

World Consumption of Playing Cards

In 2022, the amount of playing cards consumed worldwide expanded rapidly to 187K tons, rising by 6% compared with the previous year. Overall, the total consumption indicated a notable expansion from 2012 to 2022: its volume increased at an average annual rate of +4.0% over the last decade. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2022 figures, consumption increased by +53.4% against 2017 indices. Over the period under review, global consumption reached the peak volume in 2022 and is expected to retain growth in the near future.

The global playing cards market value expanded markedly to $2.4B in 2022, surging by 5.3% 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 2022: its value increased at an average annual rate of +5.2% over the last decade. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2022 figures, consumption increased by +84.2% against 2013 indices. Global consumption peaked in 2022 and is likely to see gradual growth in the immediate term.

Consumption By Country

The country with the largest volume of playing cards consumption was the United States (39K tons), accounting for 21% of total volume. Moreover, playing cards consumption in the United States exceeded the figures recorded by the second-largest consumer, China (16K tons), threefold. The third position in this ranking was held by India (13K tons), with a 7.1% share.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual growth rate of volume in the United States stood at +12.6%. In the other countries, the average annual rates were as follows: China (-3.9% per year) and India (+2.6% per year).

In value terms, the largest playing cards markets worldwide were the United States ($400M), India ($275M) and China ($162M), together accounting for 36% of the global market. Germany, the UK, France, Canada, Italy, Japan, Mexico, Macao SAR, Turkey and Indonesia lagged somewhat behind, together accounting for a further 33%.

In terms of the main consuming countries, Canada, with a CAGR of +15.6%, saw the highest growth rate of market size over the period under review, while market for the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In 2022, the highest levels of playing cards per capita consumption was registered in Macao SAR (6,563 kg per 1000 persons), followed by the UK (134 kg per 1000 persons), Canada (122 kg per 1000 persons) and the United States (118 kg per 1000 persons), while the world average per capita consumption of playing cards was estimated at 24 kg per 1000 persons.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual growth rate of the playing cards per capita consumption in Macao SAR amounted to -10.9%. The remaining consuming countries recorded the following average annual rates of per capita consumption growth: the UK (+12.3% per year) and Canada (+7.5% per year).

Production

World Production of Playing Cards

In 2022, global production of playing cards surged to 179K tons, growing by 30% on the previous year's figure. Over the period under review, the total production indicated a noticeable increase from 2012 to 2022: its volume increased at an average annual rate of +4.9% over the last decade. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2022 figures, production increased by +47.9% against 2020 indices. As a result, production reached the peak volume and is likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

In value terms, playing cards production shrank to $1.7B in 2022 estimated in export price. The total output value increased at an average annual rate of +1.8% over the period from 2012 to 2022; however, the trend pattern remained consistent, with somewhat noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2019 with an increase of 12% against the previous year. As a result, production reached the peak level of $1.9B. From 2020 to 2022, global production growth failed to regain momentum.

Production By Country

China (104K tons) constituted the country with the largest volume of playing cards production, comprising approx. 58% of total volume. Moreover, playing cards production in China exceeded the figures recorded by the second-largest producer, India (14K tons), eightfold. The third position in this ranking was held by Japan (12K tons), with a 6.7% share.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual rate of growth in terms of volume in China stood at +11.6%. In the other countries, the average annual rates were as follows: India (+3.1% per year) and Japan (-4.6% per year).

Imports

World Imports of Playing Cards

In 2022, approx. 171K tons of playing cards were imported worldwide; increasing by 11% on 2021 figures. In general, imports showed prominent growth. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2020 when imports increased by 52% against the previous year. Over the period under review, global imports hit record highs in 2022 and are expected to retain growth in the near future.

In value terms, playing cards imports soared to $2.2B in 2022. Overall, imports showed a resilient increase. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2021 when imports increased by 53%. Over the period under review, global imports attained the maximum in 2022 and are expected to retain growth in years to come.

Imports By Country

The United States was the major importer of playing cards in the world, with the volume of imports amounting to 49K tons, which was near 28% of total imports in 2022. Germany (13K tons) held a 7.4% share (based on physical terms) of total imports, which put it in second place, followed by the UK (5.7%) and France (4.6%). The following importers - Belgium (7.6K tons), the Netherlands (7.5K tons), Canada (4.8K tons), Indonesia (4.5K tons), Macao SAR (4.4K tons), the Czech Republic (4.4K tons), Greece (4K tons), Italy (2.9K tons) and Spain (2.6K tons) - together made up 25% of total imports.

Imports into the United States increased at an average annual rate of +23.9% from 2012 to 2022. At the same time, Greece (+32.9%), the Czech Republic (+21.4%), Belgium (+19.6%), the Netherlands (+17.6%), the UK (+16.3%), Germany (+14.1%), Italy (+11.4%), Spain (+10.7%), Canada (+9.5%), France (+9.3%) and Indonesia (+2.4%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, Greece emerged as the fastest-growing importer imported in the world, with a CAGR of +32.9% from 2012-2022. By contrast, Macao SAR (-9.4%) illustrated a downward trend over the same period. From 2012 to 2022, the share of the United States, Belgium, the UK, Germany, the Netherlands, Greece and the Czech Republic increased by +20, +2.5, +2.5, +2.3, +2.1, +2 and +1.6 percentage points, respectively. The shares of the other countries remained relatively stable throughout the analyzed period.

In value terms, the United States ($380M), Germany ($268M) and the UK ($143M) were the countries with the highest levels of imports in 2022, together accounting for 36% of global imports. Belgium, the Netherlands, France, Canada, Italy, the Czech Republic, Macao SAR, Spain, Greece and Indonesia lagged somewhat behind, together accounting for a further 33%.

Greece, with a CAGR of +29.8%, recorded the highest growth rate of the value of imports, in terms of 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 2022, the average playing cards import price amounted to $12,663 per ton, picking up by 5.1% against the previous year. Over the period from 2012 to 2022, it increased at an average annual rate of +3.2%. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2021 when the average import price increased by 34% against the previous year. Over the period under review, average import prices hit record highs in 2022 and is expected to retain growth in years to come.

Prices varied noticeably by country of destination: amid the top importers, the country with the highest price was Canada ($23,588 per ton), while Indonesia ($2,068 per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Indonesia (+9.7%), while the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Exports

World Exports of Playing Cards

For the seventh year in a row, the global market recorded growth in overseas shipments of playing cards, which increased by 41% to 163K tons in 2022. Overall, exports posted a resilient expansion. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2021 with an increase of 61%. Over the period under review, the global exports reached the peak figure in 2022 and are expected to retain growth in the near future.

In value terms, playing cards exports surged to $2.2B in 2022. In general, exports posted a resilient expansion. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2021 with an increase of 63% against the previous year. The global exports peaked in 2022 and are expected to retain growth in the near future.

Exports By Country

In 2022, China (89K tons) represented the largest exporter of playing cards, creating 55% of total exports. Belgium (18K tons) held the second position in the ranking, followed by the United States (11K tons), Japan (8.2K tons) and the Netherlands (8.1K tons). All these countries together held near 28% share of total exports. The following exporters - Germany (6.1K tons) and Singapore (3.2K tons) - together made up 5.7% of total exports.

Exports from China increased at an average annual rate of +22.7% from 2012 to 2022. At the same time, the Netherlands (+26.9%), Singapore (+14.6%), the United States (+11.9%), Belgium (+10.7%) and Germany (+7.4%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, the Netherlands emerged as the fastest-growing exporter exported in the world, with a CAGR of +26.9% from 2012-2022. By contrast, Japan (-5.7%) illustrated a downward trend over the same period. From 2012 to 2022, the share of China and the Netherlands increased by +32 and +3.5 percentage points, respectively. The shares of the other countries remained relatively stable throughout the analyzed period.

In value terms, the United States ($616M), Japan ($318M) and China ($279M) were the countries with the highest levels of exports in 2022, with a combined 56% share of global exports.

In terms of the main exporting countries, the United States, with a CAGR of +27.6%, 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

In 2022, the average playing cards export price amounted to $13,360 per ton, waning by -17.6% against the previous year. Over the period from 2012 to 2022, it increased at an average annual rate of +1.1%. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2016 when the average export price increased by 12%. The global export price peaked at $16,213 per ton in 2021, and then contracted sharply in the following year.

There were significant differences in the average prices amongst the major exporting countries. In 2022, amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was the United States ($53,738 per ton), while China ($3,127 per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Japan (+14.7%), while the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Market Intelligence Platform