Smoothing Iron Market

The article discusses the increasing demand for electric smoothing irons worldwide, predicting a positive trend in market performance over the next eight years. By 2030, the market volume is expected to reach 207M units, with a value of $3.9B. Consumption of electric smoothing irons declined in 2022 but is projected to increase in the coming years. China, the United States, and Brazil are the leading countries in consumption, production, and imports. The article also highlights the growth rates, market sizes, and average prices of electric smoothing irons in different countries, emphasizing China's dominance in exports.

Market Forecast

Driven by increasing demand for electric smoothing irons worldwide, the market is expected to continue an upward consumption trend over the next eight-year period. Market performance is forecast to accelerate, expanding with an anticipated CAGR of +2.5% for the period from 2022 to 2030, which is projected to bring the market volume to 207M units by the end of 2030.

In value terms, the market is forecast to increase with an anticipated CAGR of +4.9% for the period from 2022 to 2030, which is projected to bring the market value to $3.9B (in nominal prices) by the end of 2030.

Consumption

World Consumption of Electric Smoothing Irons

In 2022, global consumption of electric smoothing irons declined to 170M units, waning by -6.7% compared with the year before. Over the period under review, consumption, however, showed a relatively flat trend pattern. Over the period under review, global consumption attained the peak volume at 200M units in 2014; however, from 2015 to 2022, consumption stood at a somewhat lower figure.

The global smoothing iron market revenue reduced to $2.7B in 2022, with a decrease of -7.9% 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). Overall, consumption, however, saw a relatively flat trend pattern. As a result, consumption reached the peak level of $3.4B. From 2017 to 2022, the growth of the global market remained at a somewhat lower figure.

Consumption By Country

The countries with the highest volumes of consumption in 2022 were China (34M units), the United States (30M units) and Brazil (13M units), with a combined 45% share of global consumption.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of consumption, amongst the main consuming countries, was attained by Brazil (with a CAGR of +7.2%), while consumption for the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, the largest smoothing iron markets worldwide were China ($384M), the United States ($307M) and Indonesia ($192M), together comprising 33% of the global market. Germany, Russia, Brazil, France, the UK, Saudi Arabia, Italy, Mexico and South Africa lagged somewhat behind, together comprising a further 31%.

Among the main consuming countries, Brazil, with a CAGR of +4.8%, saw the highest rates of growth with regard to market size over the period under review, while market for the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

The countries with the highest levels of smoothing iron per capita consumption in 2022 were the United States (89 units per 1000 persons), the UK (81 units per 1000 persons) and Germany (80 units per 1000 persons).

From 2012 to 2022, the biggest increases were recorded for Brazil (with a CAGR of +6.3%), while consumption for the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Production

World Production of Electric Smoothing Irons

In 2022, approx. 200M units of electric smoothing irons were produced worldwide; remaining stable against the previous year. Overall, the total production indicated a slight increase from 2012 to 2022: its volume increased at an average annual rate of +1.1% over the last decade. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2022 figures, production increased by +4.6% against 2020 indices. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2018 with an increase of 52% against the previous year. As a result, production attained the peak volume of 222M units. From 2019 to 2022, global production growth failed to regain momentum.

In value terms, smoothing iron production dropped to $2.9B in 2022 estimated in export price. Over the period under review, production, however, recorded a relatively flat trend pattern. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2014 with an increase of 28% against the previous year. As a result, production attained the peak level of $3.6B. From 2015 to 2022, global production growth failed to regain momentum.

Production By Country

The country with the largest volume of smoothing iron production was China (139M units), comprising approx. 69% of total volume. Moreover, smoothing iron production in China exceeded the figures recorded by the second-largest producer, the United States (13M units), more than tenfold. The third position in this ranking was taken by Brazil (9.4M units), with a 4.7% share.

In China, smoothing iron production expanded at an average annual rate of +1.4% over the period from 2012-2022. The remaining producing countries recorded the following average annual rates of production growth: the United States (+7.4% per year) and Brazil (+4.7% per year).

Imports

World Imports of Electric Smoothing Irons

In 2022, approx. 109M units of electric smoothing irons were imported worldwide; picking up by 3.4% against the previous year. Overall, imports, however, saw a slight decrease. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2014 with an increase of 5.6%. Over the period under review, global imports reached the peak figure at 130M units in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, imports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

In value terms, smoothing iron imports fell to $1.8B in 2022. In general, imports, however, continue to indicate a mild descent. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2021 with an increase of 8.8% against the previous year. Over the period under review, global imports reached the peak figure at $2.2B in 2014; however, from 2015 to 2022, imports failed to regain momentum.

Imports By Country

In 2022, the United States (17M units), distantly followed by Russia (6.9M units), the United Arab Emirates (6.2M units) and the UK (5.7M units) were the main importers of electric smoothing irons, together making up 33% of total imports. Germany (4.9M units), Italy (4.4M units), Mexico (3.8M units), Spain (3.7M units), France (3.4M units), the Netherlands (3.3M units), South Africa (3.3M units), Brazil (3.3M units) and Poland (2.3M units) followed a long way behind the leaders.

The United States experienced a relatively flat trend pattern with regard to volume of imports of electric smoothing irons. At the same time, Brazil (+14.3%), the Netherlands (+8.0%), Poland (+5.1%), Spain (+3.2%) and Russia (+1.7%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, Brazil emerged as the fastest-growing importer imported in the world, with a CAGR of +14.3% from 2012-2022. France and Italy experienced a relatively flat trend pattern. By contrast, the United Arab Emirates (-1.5%), South Africa (-2.7%), Germany (-3.9%), the UK (-4.1%) and Mexico (-4.3%) illustrated a downward trend over the same period. From 2012 to 2022, the share of Brazil, the Netherlands and Russia increased by +2.4, +1.9 and +1.9 percentage points, while the shares of the other countries remained relatively stable throughout the analyzed period.

In value terms, the largest smoothing iron importing markets worldwide were the United States ($177M), Germany ($125M) and Russia ($125M), with a combined 23% share of global imports. Italy, the UK, the United Arab Emirates, Spain, France, Poland, the Netherlands, Mexico, Brazil and South Africa lagged somewhat behind, together comprising a further 32%.

Brazil, with a CAGR of +9.7%, saw the highest rates of growth with regard to the value of imports, in terms of the main importing countries over the period under review, while purchases for the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Import Prices By Country

The average smoothing iron import price stood at $17 per unit in 2022, shrinking by -5.2% against the previous year. Overall, the import price, however, recorded a relatively flat trend pattern. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2013 when the average import price increased by 4.2% against the previous year. Global import price peaked at $18 per unit in 2021, and then declined in the following year.

There were significant differences in the average prices amongst the major importing countries. In 2022, amid the top importers, the country with the highest price was Poland ($28 per unit), while South Africa ($5.1 per unit) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Poland (+3.2%), while the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Exports

World Exports of Electric Smoothing Irons

In 2022, shipments abroad of electric smoothing irons increased by 11% to 138M units, rising for the second year in a row after two years of decline. In general, exports, however, showed a relatively flat trend pattern. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2018 with an increase of 51%. As a result, the exports attained the peak of 150M units. From 2019 to 2022, the growth of the global exports failed to regain momentum.

In value terms, smoothing iron exports expanded to $1.9B in 2022. Overall, exports, however, continue to indicate a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2021 with an increase of 7.4%. The global exports peaked at $2.1B in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, the exports remained at a lower figure.

Exports By Country

China dominates exports structure, reaching 104M units, which was approx. 75% of total exports in 2022. The following exporters - France (3.9M units), the United Arab Emirates (3.7M units), Myanmar (3.6M units), Indonesia (3.2M units), the Netherlands (3.2M units) and Germany (2.5M units) - together made up 15% of total exports.

From 2012 to 2022, average annual rates of growth with regard to smoothing iron exports from China stood at +1.4%. At the same time, Myanmar (+198.3%), the United Arab Emirates (+28.1%) and the Netherlands (+20.4%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, Myanmar emerged as the fastest-growing exporter exported in the world, with a CAGR of +198.3% from 2012-2022. By contrast, France (-2.2%), Germany (-8.6%) and Indonesia (-8.9%) illustrated a downward trend over the same period. While the share of China (+10 p.p.), Myanmar (+2.6 p.p.), the United Arab Emirates (+2.4 p.p.) and the Netherlands (+1.9 p.p.) increased significantly in terms of the global exports from 2012-2022, the share of Germany (-2.6 p.p.) and Indonesia (-3.5 p.p.) displayed negative dynamics. The shares of the other countries remained relatively stable throughout the analyzed period.

In value terms, China ($1.1B) remains the largest smoothing iron supplier worldwide, comprising 54% of global exports. The second position in the ranking was held by France ($183M), with a 9.4% share of global exports. It was followed by Indonesia, with a 5% share.

In China, smoothing iron exports expanded at an average annual rate of +3.0% over the period from 2012-2022. The remaining exporting countries recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: France (-1.4% per year) and Indonesia (-8.4% per year).

Export Prices By Country

In 2022, the average smoothing iron export price amounted to $14 per unit, with a decrease of -5.8% against the previous year. Overall, the export price showed a relatively flat trend pattern. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2015 an increase of 32% against the previous year. The global export price peaked at $23 per unit in 2016; however, from 2017 to 2022, the export prices remained at a lower figure.

There were significant differences in the average prices amongst the major exporting countries. In 2022, amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was France ($46 per unit), while Myanmar ($1.2 per unit) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by China (+1.6%), while the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Market Intelligence Platform