China's Stationery Price Grows Notably to $3,832 per Ton

China Stationery Export Price in September 2022

In September 2022, the stationery price stood at $3,832 per ton (FOB, China), increasing by 7.2% against the previous month. Over the period under review, the export price saw a relatively flat trend pattern. As a result, the export price attained the peak level and is likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

Prices varied noticeably by the country of destination: the country with the highest price was Japan ($4,995 per ton), while the average price for exports to Papua New Guinea ($1,727 per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From January 2022 to September 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was recorded for supplies to Mexico (+2.4%), while the prices for the other major destinations experienced more modest paces of growth.

China Stationery Export Prices by Type

Prices varied noticeably by the product type; the product with the highest price was albums for samples, collections, stamps or photographs ($6,399 per ton), while the average price for exports of exercise books ($2,173 per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From January 2022 to September 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was recorded for the following types: stamp and photo collection album (+3.3%), while the prices for the other products experienced more modest paces of growth.

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China Stationery Exports

In September 2022, the amount of articles of stationery exported from China fell to 51K tons, waning by -3.8% against the previous month's figure. In general, total exports indicated a slight expansion from January 2022 to September 2022: its volume increased at an average monthly rate of +1.5% over the last eight-month period. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on September 2022 figures, exports decreased by -21.0% against July 2022 indices. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in March 2022 when exports increased by 41% against the previous month. Over the period under review, the exports reached the peak figure at 65K tons in July 2022; however, from August 2022 to September 2022, the exports failed to regain momentum.

In value terms, stationery exports rose slightly to $196M (IndexBox estimates) in September 2022. Overall, total exports indicated pronounced growth from January 2022 to September 2022: its value increased at an average monthly rate of +2.2% over the last eight-month period. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on September 2022 figures, exports decreased by -12.6% against July 2022 indices. The growth pace was the most rapid in March 2022 when exports increased by 33% against the previous month. Over the period under review, the exports hit record highs at 224K tons in July 2022; however, from August 2022 to September 2022, the exports remained at a lower figure.

China Stationery Exports by Type

Registers, account books, order books and receipt books (39K tons) was the largest type of stationery exported from China, accounting for a 77% share of total exports. Moreover, registers, account books, order books and receipt books exceeded the volume of the second product type, exercise books (4.2K tons), ninefold. Paper binders, folders and file covers (3.7K tons) ranked third in terms of total exports with a 7.2% share.

From January 2022 to September 2022, the average monthly rate of growth in terms of the volume of export of registers, account books, order books and receipt books amounted to +2.3%. With regard to the other exported products, the following average monthly rates of growth were recorded: exercise books (+7.4% per month) and paper binders, folders and file covers (-5.0% per month).

In value terms, registers, account books, order books and receipt books ($155M) remains the largest type of stationery exported from China, comprising 79% of total exports. The second position in the ranking was held by albums for samples, collections, stamps or photographs ($13M), with a 6.4% share of total exports. It was followed by paper binders, folders and file covers, with a 5.3% share.

From January 2022 to September 2022, the average monthly growth rate of the export volume of registers, account books, order books and receipt books totaled +2.8%. With regard to the other exported products, the following average monthly rates of growth were recorded: albums for samples, collections, stamps or photographs (-0.4% per month) and paper binders, folders and file covers (-4.2% per month).

China Stationery Exports by Country

The United States (8.9K tons), Australia (5K tons) and the Netherlands (2.7K tons) were the main destinations of stationery exports from China, with a combined 32% share of total exports. These countries were followed by Iraq, the UK, Spain, Japan, Canada, Mexico, Saudi Arabia, the Philippines, Germany and Papua New Guinea, which together accounted for a further 25%.

From January 2022 to September 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of shipments, amongst the main countries of destination, was attained by Papua New Guinea (with a CAGR of +34.3%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, the United States ($41M) remains the key foreign market for stationery exports from China, comprising 21% of total exports. The second position in the ranking was held by Australia ($18M), with a 9.2% share of total exports. It was followed by the UK, with a 4.4% share.

From January 2022 to September 2022, the average monthly rate of growth in terms of value to the United States was relatively modest. Exports to the other major destinations recorded the following average monthly rates of exports growth: Australia (+12.4% per month) and the UK (-1.2% per month).

Factors Affecting Stationery Prices

In China, the stationery market is growing rapidly with the development of education and economy. However, the average price of stationery in China is still lower than that in developed countries. The main factors influencing the stationery prices in China are as follows:

Firstly, due to the low labor cost in China, most of the stationery products are manufactured, which leads to the relatively low prices of stationery products. Secondly, Chinese consumers are price-sensitive and tend to purchase products with lower prices. Thirdly, many stationery manufacturers in China have developed their own brands and have a certain market share, which also contributes to the relatively low prices of stationery products in China.

Source: IndexBox Market Intelligence Platform