The UK Wallpaper Market Continues to Decline

IndexBox has just published a new report: 'United Kingdom - Wallpaper And Wall Coverings - Market Analysis, Forecast, Size, Trends And Insights'. Here is a summary of the report's key findings.

The revenue of the wallpaper market in the UK amounted to $156M in 2018, leveling off at 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). Overall, wallpaper consumption continues to indicate a steady decline. The UK wallpaper consumption peaked at $209M in 2007; however, from 2008 to 2018, consumption remained at a lower figure.

Production in the UK

In 2018, the amount of wallpaper and wall coverings produced in the UK amounted to 25K tonnes, dropping by -11.1% against the previous year. Over the period under review, wallpaper production continues to indicate a measured setback. 

In value terms, wallpaper production totaled $140M in 2018 estimated in export prices. Over the period under review, wallpaper production reached its maximum level at $239M in 2007; however, from 2008 to 2018, production stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Exports from the UK

In 2018, the exports of wallpaper and wall coverings from the UK amounted to 14K tonnes, rising by 12% against the previous year. The total export volume increased at an average annual rate of +1.1% from 2007 to 2018; the trend pattern remained relatively stable, with somewhat noticeable fluctuations throughout the analyzed period. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2010 when exports increased by 18% against the previous year. The UK exports peaked in 2018 and are expected to retain its growth in the immediate term.

In value terms, wallpaper exports amounted to $103M (IndexBox estimates) in 2018.

Exports by Country

In 2018, China (101K tonnes), distantly followed by Germany (52K tonnes), Ukraine (47K tonnes), Russia (23K tonnes), South Korea (23K tonnes), Belarus (19K tonnes), Belgium (19K tonnes) and Italy (16K tonnes) were the major exporters of wallpaper and wall coverings, together committing 81% of total exports. France (9,499 tonnes) followed a long way behind the leaders.

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

In value terms, China ($383M), Germany ($246M) and Ukraine ($139M) appeared to be the countries with the highest levels of exports in 2018, with a combined 47% share of total exports. These countries were followed by Belgium, Italy, Russia, South Korea, France and Belarus, which together accounted for a further 30%.

Export Prices by Country

The wallpaper export price in the UK stood at $7,384 per tonne in 2018, dropping by -12.5% against the previous year.

There were significant differences in the average prices amongst the major exporting countries. In 2018, the country with the highest price was the UK ($7,384 per tonne), while Belarus ($2,855 per tonne) was amongst the lowest.

From 2007 to 2018, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by China.

Imports into the UK

In 2018, approx. 28K tonnes of wallpaper and wall coverings were imported into the UK; surging by 7% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the total imports indicated a measured expansion from 2007 to 2018: its volume increased at an average annual rate of +2.9% over the last eleven years. 

In value terms, wallpaper imports stood at $110M (IndexBox estimates) in 2018.

Imports by Country

In 2018, Russia (58K tonnes), distantly followed by Iran (31K tonnes), France (21K tonnes) and Kazakhstan (19K tonnes) represented the main importers of wallpaper and wall coverings, together creating 36% of total imports. China (12,159 tonnes), Belarus (12,027 tonnes), Indonesia (9,792 tonnes), Uzbekistan (9,621 tonnes), the United Arab Emirates (9,407 tonnes), Saudi Arabia (9,203 tonnes), India (8,438 tonnes) and Poland (7,129 tonnes) followed a long way behind the leaders.

From 2007 to 2018, the most notable rate of growth in terms of imports, amongst the main importing countries, was attained by India.

In value terms, Russia ($207M) constitutes the largest market for imported wallpaper and wall coverings into the UK, comprising 13% of global imports. The second position in the ranking was occupied by France ($99M), with a 6.3% share of global imports. It was followed by Iran, with a 5.6% share.

From 2007 to 2018, the average annual growth rate of value in Russia stood at -1.0%. In the other countries, the average annual rates were as follows: France (-5.3% per year) and Iran (+20.6% per year).

Import Prices by Country

The wallpaper import price in the UK stood at $3,876 per tonne in 2018, rising by 6.8% 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 China ($7,172 per tonne), while Indonesia ($2,830 per tonne) was amongst the lowest.

Source: IndexBox AI Platform