Global Trade of Feminine Hygiene Products Bounced Back to $16.1B

IndexBox has just published a new report: 'World - Sanitary Towels, Tampons, Napkins And Napkin Liners For Babies - Market Analysis, Forecast, Size, Trends And Insights'. Here is a summary of the report's key findings.

The global feminine hygiene products market reached $101.7B in 2018, rising by 5.4% 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 +1.6% from 2007 to 2018; the trend pattern remained relatively stable, with somewhat noticeable fluctuations being recorded in certain years. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2017 when the market value increased by 7.3% against the previous year. The global tampons and napkin liners consumption peaked in 2018 and is expected to retain its growth in the near future.

Global Feminine Hygiene Products Trade 2007-2018

In 2018, the global exports of sanitary towels, tampons, napkins and napkin liners for babies stood at 3.8M tonnes, rising by 2.3% against the previous year.

In value terms, feminine hygiene products exports amounted to $16.1B (IndexBox estimates) in 2018. The total export value increased at an average annual rate of +1.7% from 2007 to 2018. Over the period under review, global tampons and napkin liners exports attained their peak figure at $16.4B in 2014; however, from 2015 to 2018, exports remained at a lower figure.

Exports by Country

In 2018, China (562K tonnes), followed by Germany (314K tonnes), Turkey (278K tonnes), Japan (272K tonnes), Poland (258K tonnes), Belgium (223K tonnes), the Czech Republic (214K tonnes) and the Netherlands (200K tonnes) represented the key exporters of sanitary towels, tampons, napkins and napkin liners for babies, together generating 60% of total exports. Sweden (133K tonnes), Mexico (125K tonnes), Canada (111K tonnes) and Italy (79K tonnes) took a minor share of total exports.

From 2007 to 2018, the most notable rate of growth in terms of exports, amongst the main exporting countries, was attained by Mexico, while exports for the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, the largest feminine hygiene products supplying countries worldwide were China ($1.8B), Japan ($1.6B) and Germany ($1.5B), with a combined 30% share of global exports. Poland, the Czech Republic, Belgium, Turkey, the Netherlands, Canada, Mexico, Sweden and Italy lagged somewhat behind, together accounting for a further 38%.

Export Prices by Country

The average feminine hygiene products export price stood at $4,204 per tonne in 2018, picking up by 3.9% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the tampons and napkin liners export price continues to indicate a relatively flat trend pattern.

There were significant differences in the average prices amongst the major exporting countries. In 2018, the country with the highest price was Japan ($5,735 per tonne), while Turkey ($2,583 per tonne) was amongst the lowest.

From 2007 to 2018, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Canada, while the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Imports by Country

The imports of the six major importers of sanitary towels, tampons, napkins and napkin liners for babies, namely China, Germany, the UK, the U.S., France and Belgium, represented more than third of total import. The following importers - Spain (102K tonnes), Iraq (93K tonnes), Russia (93K tonnes), the Philippines (87K tonnes), Poland (86K tonnes) and Italy (75K tonnes) - together made up 14% of total imports.

From 2007 to 2018, the most notable rate of growth in terms of imports, amongst the main importing countries, was attained by China, while imports for the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, the largest tampons and napkin liners importing markets worldwide were China ($1.5B), the U.S. ($1.3B) and Germany ($994M), together comprising 23% of global imports.

Import Prices by Country

The average feminine hygiene products import price stood at $4,255 per tonne in 2018, rising by 3.7% against the previous year.

There were significant differences in the average prices amongst the major importing countries. In 2018, the country with the highest price was the U.S. ($6,447 per tonne), while the Philippines ($2,534 per tonne) was amongst the lowest.

From 2007 to 2018, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by the U.S., while the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Platform