Which Country Imports the Most Printed Or Illustrated Postcards in the World?
Printing May 28, 2018
In 2016, approx. 371K tonnes of postcard were imported worldwide; reducing by -1.8% against the previous year level. Overall, postcard imports continue to indicate a relatively flat trend pattern. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2014, an increase of 14% from the previous year level. Global postcard import peaked of 378K tonnes in 2015, falling back in the following year.
In value terms, postcard imports stood at $1.2B in 2016. Overall, postcard imports continue to indicate a temperate curtailment. Over the period under review, global postcard imports attained its maximum level of $1.5B in 2007; however, from 2008 to 2016, it failed to regain its strength.
Top Postcard Importing Countries in the World
1. USA (434.0 million USD)
2. United Kingdom (214.2 million USD)
3. Canada (128.9 million USD)
4. China, Hong Kong SAR (40.1 million USD)
5. Netherlands (34.9 million USD)
6. China (2.1 million USD)
7. Syrian Arab Republic (0.0 million USD)
Postcard Imports By Country
In 2016, China (150K tonnes) represented the key importer for postcard, creating 40% of total imports. The Netherlands (65K tonnes) occupied the second position in the ranking, followed by the UK (40K tonnes), and the U.S. (34K tonnes). All these countries together occupied near 37% share of total imports. The following importers - Canada (10K tonnes), China, Hong Kong SAR (9.7K tonnes), and Syrian Arab Republic (5.6K tonnes) together made up 7% of total imports.
China experienced a relatively flat trend pattern. At the same time, the Netherlands (+28.3%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, the Netherlands emerged as the fastest growing importer/exporter in the world, with a CAGR of +28.3% from 2007-2016. The U.S., Canada, and Syrian Arab Republic experienced a relatively flat trend pattern. By contrast, the UK (-1.7%), and China, Hong Kong SAR (-15.4%) illustrated a downward trend over the same period. While the share of China, Hong Kong SAR (9%), and the UK (2%) increased significantly, the share of the Netherlands (-15.5%) displayed negative dynamics. The shares of the other countries remained relatively stable throughout the analyzed period.
In value terms, the U.S. ($434M) constitutes the largest market for imported postcard worldwide, making up 36% of global imports. The second position in the ranking was occupied by the UK ($214M), with the share of 18% of global imports. It was followed by Canada, with the share of 11%.
In the U.S., postcard imports contracted by an average annual rate of -1.4% over the period from 2007-2016. In the other countries, the average annual rates were as follows: the UK (-1.7% per year) and Canada (-1.6% per year).
Postcard Import Prices By Country
The average postcard import price stood at $3,257 per tonne in 2016, remaining relatively unchanged against the previous year level. Overall, postcard import price continues to indicate a temperate curtailment. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2008, an increase of 5% year-to-year. In that year, average postcard import price attained its maximum level of $4,394 per tonne. From 2009 to 2016, growth of average postcard import price 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 the U.S. ($13 per kg), while Syrian Arab Republic ($2 per tonne) was among the lowest.
From 2007 to 2016, the most notable growth rate of postcard import prices was attained by China, Hong Kong SAR (+6.7% per year), while the other global leaders experienced mixed trends in the import price figures.
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All data provided in this article covers the following product: HS Code 4909 - Printed or illustrated postcards; printed cards bearing personal greetings, messages or announcements, whether or not illustrated, with or without envelopes or trimmings.
