Which Country Imports the Most Printed Circuits in the World?

Electronic Components And Boards May 28, 2018

Blog Blog / Computer, Electronic And Optical Products / Electronic Components And Boards

Author: Anna Sergeeva

PositionMarket Analyst

In 2016, the amount of printed circuit imported worldwide stood at 598K tonnes, going up by 5% against the previous year level. The total import volume increased at an average annual rate of +3.4% over the period from 2007 to 2016; however, the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations throughout the analyzed period. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2010, an increase of 35% from the previous year level. In that year, global printed circuit imports attained its maximum volume of 763K tonnes. From 2011 to 2016, growth of global printed circuit imports stood at a somewhat lower level.

In value terms, printed circuit imports amounted to $43B in 2016. The total import value increased at an average annual rate of +1.2% over the period from 2007 to 2016; however, the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations over the period under review. Global printed circuit import peaked of $47B in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2016, it stood at a somewhat lower level.

Top Printed Circuit Importing Countries in the World

1. China, Hong Kong SAR (9.0 billion USD)

2. South Korea (2.2 billion USD)

3. Germany (1.9 billion USD)

4. Malaysia (1.8 billion USD)

5. Japan (1.4 billion USD)

6. Thailand (1.1 billion USD)

7. Hungary (0.8 billion USD)

8. Czech Republic (0.5 billion USD)

9. Poland (0.4 billion USD)

10. India (0.4 billion USD)

Printed Circuit Imports By Country

China, Hong Kong SAR (183K tonnes), and Malaysia (160K tonnes) represented roughly 57% of total imports of printed circuit in 2016. Germany (34K tonnes) held a 6% share (based on tonnes) of global printed circuit imports, which put it in second place, following Hungary (5%). Thailand (19K tonnes), South Korea (19K tonnes), India (15K tonnes), Japan (13K tonnes), Czech Republic (11K tonnes), and Poland (9.8K tonnes) followed a long way behind this figure.

From 2007 to 2016, the most notable growth rate of printed circuit imports, among the main importing countries, was attained by India (+10.3% per year), while the other global leaders experienced mixed trends in the imports figures.

In value terms, China, Hong Kong SAR ($9B) constitutes the largest market for imported printed circuit worldwide, making up 21% of global imports. The second position in the ranking was occupied by South Korea ($2.2B), with the share of 5% of global imports. It was followed by Germany, with the share of 4%.

From 2007 to 2016, the average annual rate of growth in terms of value of printed circuit imports in China, Hong Kong SAR stood at +4.0%. In the other countries, the average annual rates were as follows: South Korea (+2.9% per year) and Germany (+2.3% per year).

Printed Circuit Import Prices By Country

The average printed circuit import price stood at $72 per kg in 2016, lowering by -7.9% against the previous year. Overall, printed circuit import price continues to indicate a measured descent. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2011, when import increased by 47% year-to-year. Over the period under review, average printed circuit import price attained its maximum level of $87 per kg in 2008; however, from 2009 to 2016, it failed to regain its strength.

There were significant differences in the average import prices amongst major importing countries. In 2016, the country with the highest import prices was South Korea ($115 per kg), while Malaysia ($11 per kg) was among the lowest.

From 2007 to 2016, the most notable growth rate of printed circuit import prices was attained by India (+7.3% per year), while the other global leaders experienced mixed trends in the import price figures.

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