Global Trade in Laptops and Tablet PCs Soars 26% Compared to Previous Year

IndexBox has just published a new report: 'World - Laptop Pcs And Palm-Top Organizers - Market Analysis, Forecast, Size, Trends and Insights'. Here is a summary of the report's key findings.

Exports of Laptops and Tablet PCs

In 2021, overseas shipments of laptops and tablet PCs increased by 26% to 571M units, rising for the third year in a row after four years of decline. In general, total exports indicated a prominent increase from 2011 to 2021: its volume increased at an average annual rate of +6.1% over the last decade. In value terms, exports skyrocketed from $194.5B to $223.9B (IndexBox estimates) in 2021, expanding with an average annual rate of +6.1% over the last decade. 

Exports by Country

China dominates exports structure of laptops and tablet PCs, accounting for 440M units, which was near 77% of total volume in 2021. It was distantly followed by the Netherlands (35M units), comprising a 6.2% share of total volume. The U.S. (16M units), Germany (14M units), Hong Kong SAR (11M units) and the Czech Republic (9M units) held a relatively small share of total exports.

In value terms, China ($154.9B) remains the largest supplier of laptops and tablet PCs worldwide, comprising 69% of global supplies. The second position in the ranking was occupied by the Netherlands ($21.7B), with a 9.7% share of global exports. It was followed by Germany, with a 3.6% share.

In China, laptop exports expanded at an average annual rate of +3.9% over the period from 2011-2021. In the other countries, the average annual rates were as follows: the Netherlands (+13.1% per year) and Germany (+5.3% per year).

Export Prices by Country

The average export price for laptops and tablet PCs stood at $392 per unit in 2021, declining by -8.6% against the previous year. There were significant differences in the average prices amongst the major exporting countries. In 2021, the country with the highest price was the Czech Republic ($621 per unit), while China ($352 per unit) was amongst the lowest. From 2011 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Hong Kong SAR, while the other global leaders experienced mixed trends in the export price figures.

Leading Importers of Laptops and Tablet PCs

In 2021, the U.S. (138M units) and Poland (97M units) represented the main importers of laptops, tablet PCs, and palm-top organizers around the world, together reaching approx. 41% of total purchases. The Netherlands (41M units) took the next position in the ranking, followed by Germany (31M units). All these countries together held approx. 13% share of total imports. Japan (20M units), the UK (17M units), Hong Kong SAR (16M units), India (14M units), France (13M units), Turkey (12M units), Canada (11M units), the Czech Republic (10M units) and Italy (9.4M units) held a relatively small share of total purchases.

In value terms, the U.S. ($59.8B) constitutes the largest market for imported laptops, tablet PCs, and palm-top organizers worldwide, comprising 27% of global supplies. The second position in the ranking was occupied by the Netherlands ($24.3B), with a 11% share of global imports. It was followed by Germany, with an 8% share.

Source: IndexBox Market Intelligence Platform