Table Flatware Market

The global market for table flatware is expected to show an upward consumption trend over the next eight years, with a forecasted CAGR of +0.6% in volume and +1.6% in value from 2022 to 2030. The United States leads in both consumption and production, with China as the largest producer. Imports and exports are increasing, with China dominating the export market. Cutlery other than plated with precious metal is the main type of table flatware in both imports and exports. Prices are on the rise, with significant variations in average prices amongst different products and countries.

Market Forecast

Driven by rising demand for table flatware worldwide, the market is expected to start an upward consumption trend over the next eight-year period. The performance of the market is forecast to increase slightly, with an anticipated CAGR of +0.6% for the period from 2022 to 2030, which is projected to bring the market volume to 874K tons by the end of 2030.

In value terms, the market is forecast to increase with an anticipated CAGR of +1.6% for the period from 2022 to 2030, which is projected to bring the market value to $11.5B (in nominal prices) by the end of 2030.

Consumption

World Consumption of Table Flatware

In 2022, approx. 833K tons of table flatware were consumed worldwide; with a decrease of -7% compared with the previous year's figure. Over the period under review, consumption saw a relatively flat trend pattern. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2021 when the consumption volume increased by 6.7%. Over the period under review, global consumption reached the maximum volume at 921K tons in 2019; however, from 2020 to 2022, consumption stood at a somewhat lower figure.

The global table flatware market value dropped modestly to $10.1B in 2022, shrinking by -4.6% 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). In general, consumption, however, showed a relatively flat trend pattern. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2020 when the market value increased by 9.6%. As a result, consumption attained the peak level of $11B. From 2021 to 2022, the growth of the global market failed to regain momentum.

Consumption By Country

The United States (186K tons) constituted the country with the largest volume of table flatware consumption, comprising approx. 22% of total volume. Moreover, table flatware consumption in the United States exceeded the figures recorded by the second-largest consumer, China (79K tons), twofold. India (50K tons) ranked third in terms of total consumption with a 6% share.

In the United States, table flatware consumption shrank by an average annual rate of -3.3% over the period from 2012-2022. In the other countries, the average annual rates were as follows: China (-2.3% per year) and India (+1.3% per year).

In value terms, the United States ($4.9B) led the market, alone. The second position in the ranking was held by China ($544M). It was followed by Pakistan.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual rate of growth in terms of value in the United States was relatively modest. The remaining consuming countries recorded the following average annual rates of market growth: China (-1.5% per year) and Pakistan (+1.9% per year).

In 2022, the highest levels of table flatware per capita consumption was registered in the United Arab Emirates (1,621 kg per 1000 persons), followed by the United States (556 kg per 1000 persons), Russia (204 kg per 1000 persons) and Mexico (106 kg per 1000 persons), while the world average per capita consumption of table flatware was estimated at 106 kg per 1000 persons.

In the United Arab Emirates, table flatware per capita consumption expanded at an average annual rate of +3.2% over the period from 2012-2022. The remaining consuming countries recorded the following average annual rates of per capita consumption growth: the United States (-3.9% per year) and Russia (-5.7% per year).

Production

World Production of Table Flatware

Global table flatware production shrank slightly to 858K tons in 2022, reducing by -4.3% compared with 2021. Over the period under review, production continues to indicate a mild descent. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2017 with an increase of 20% against the previous year. Over the period under review, global production reached the peak volume at 1M tons in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, production stood at a somewhat lower figure.

In value terms, table flatware production contracted slightly to $9.2B in 2022 estimated in export price. In general, production saw a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2017 with an increase of 7% against the previous year. Global production peaked at $9.6B in 2019; however, from 2020 to 2022, production failed to regain momentum.

Production By Country

China (391K tons) remains the largest table flatware producing country worldwide, accounting for 46% of total volume. Moreover, table flatware production in China exceeded the figures recorded by the second-largest producer, the United States (101K tons), fourfold. India (55K tons) ranked third in terms of total production with a 6.4% share.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual rate of growth in terms of volume in China was relatively modest. The remaining producing countries recorded the following average annual rates of production growth: the United States (-7.7% per year) and India (-0.5% per year).

Imports

World Imports of Table Flatware

In 2022, purchases abroad of table flatware increased by 0.5% to 368K tons, rising for the sixth year in a row after two years of decline. The total import volume increased at an average annual rate of +2.5% from 2012 to 2022; however, the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2021 when imports increased by 11% against the previous year. Over the period under review, global imports hit record highs in 2022 and are likely to see steady growth in the immediate term.

In value terms, table flatware imports rose significantly to $2.8B in 2022. The total import value increased at an average annual rate of +2.8% over the period from 2012 to 2022; however, the trend pattern remained relatively stable, with somewhat noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2021 when imports increased by 17% against the previous year. Over the period under review, global imports hit record highs in 2022 and are expected to retain growth in years to come.

Imports By Country

In 2022, the United States (87K tons) represented the key importer of table flatware, mixing up 24% of total imports. It was distantly followed by Germany (18K tons) and the United Arab Emirates (17K tons), together generating a 9.4% share of total imports. Indonesia (15K tons), France (14K tons), the Netherlands (13K tons), the UK (12K tons), Iraq (11K tons), Belgium (9.7K tons), Spain (9.1K tons), Brazil (6.5K tons), Italy (6.2K tons) and Poland (6.2K tons) held a relatively small share of total imports.

Imports into the United States increased at an average annual rate of +8.8% from 2012 to 2022. At the same time, Iraq (+19.3%), Indonesia (+14.1%), Poland (+9.1%), Belgium (+7.2%), the Netherlands (+7.0%), Spain (+4.5%), the United Arab Emirates (+3.6%), Italy (+3.0%), Germany (+1.2%) and France (+1.2%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, Iraq emerged as the fastest-growing importer imported in the world, with a CAGR of +19.3% from 2012-2022. By contrast, the UK (-1.1%) and Brazil (-3.7%) illustrated a downward trend over the same period. The United States (+11 p.p.), Indonesia (+2.8 p.p.) and Iraq (+2.4 p.p.) significantly strengthened its position in terms of the global imports, while Brazil saw its share reduced by -1.5% from 2012 to 2022, respectively. The shares of the other countries remained relatively stable throughout the analyzed period.

In value terms, the United States ($552M) constitutes the largest market for imported table flatware worldwide, comprising 19% of global imports. The second position in the ranking was held by Germany ($217M), with a 7.6% share of global imports. It was followed by the United Arab Emirates, with a 4.6% share.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual growth rate of value in the United States totaled +3.0%. In the other countries, the average annual rates were as follows: Germany (+3.1% per year) and the United Arab Emirates (+7.0% per year).

Imports By Type

Cutlery; other than plated with precious metal (208K tons) and cutlery; sets of assorted articles (eg spoons, forks, ladles, skimmers, cake-servers, fish-knives, butter knives, sugar tongs and similar), not plated with precious metal (148K tons) prevails in imports structure, together generating 97% of total imports. Cutlery; sets of assorted articles (eg spoons, forks, ladles, skimmers, cake-servers, fish-knives, butter-knives, sugar tongs and similar), with at least one article plated with precious metal (8.8K tons) followed a long way behind the leaders.

From 2012 to 2022, the biggest increases were recorded for cutlery; other than plated with precious metal (with a CAGR of +3.9%), while purchases for the other products experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, the largest types of imported table flatware were cutlery; other than plated with precious metal ($1.6B), cutlery; sets of assorted articles (eg spoons, forks, ladles, skimmers, cake-servers, fish-knives, butter knives, sugar tongs and similar), not plated with precious metal ($1.1B) and cutlery; (eg spoons, forks, ladles, skimmers, cake-servers, fish-knives, butter-knives, sugar tongs and similar), plated with precious metal, not in sets ($73M), together accounting for 98% of global imports.

Cutlery; (eg spoons, forks, ladles, skimmers, cake-servers, fish-knives, butter-knives, sugar tongs and similar), plated with precious metal, not in sets, with a CAGR of +6.3%, saw the highest rates of growth with regard to the value of imports, in terms of the main imported products over the period under review, while purchases for the other products experienced more modest paces of growth.

Import Prices By Type

The average table flatware import price stood at $7,739 per ton in 2022, increasing by 9.6% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the import price continues to indicate a relatively flat trend pattern. Over the period under review, average import prices reached the peak figure at $7,955 per ton in 2018; however, from 2019 to 2022, import prices stood at a somewhat lower figure.

There were significant differences in the average prices amongst the major imported products. In 2022, the product with the highest price was cutlery; (eg spoons, forks, ladles, skimmers, cake-servers, fish-knives, butter-knives, sugar tongs and similar), plated with precious metal, not in sets ($20,090 per ton), while the price for cutlery; sets of assorted articles (eg spoons, forks, ladles, skimmers, cake-servers, fish-knives, butter-knives, sugar tongs and similar), with at least one article plated with precious metal ($7,279 per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by cutlery; (eg spoons, forks, ladles, skimmers, cake-servers, fish-knives, butter-knives, sugar tongs and similar), plated with precious metal, not in sets (+3.7%), while the other products experienced more modest paces of growth.

Import Prices By Country

The average table flatware import price stood at $7,739 per ton in 2022, with an increase of 9.6% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the import price showed a relatively flat trend pattern. Over the period under review, average import prices attained the peak figure at $7,955 per ton in 2018; however, from 2019 to 2022, import prices failed to regain momentum.

Prices varied noticeably by country of destination: amid the top importers, the country with the highest price was Germany ($12,029 per ton), while Brazil ($3,911 per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Indonesia (+7.1%), while the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Exports

World Exports of Table Flatware

In 2022, shipments abroad of table flatware increased by 6.8% to 394K tons, rising for the second consecutive year after two years of decline. Over the period under review, exports, however, recorded a relatively flat trend pattern. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2017 when exports increased by 96%. The global exports peaked at 402K tons in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, the exports failed to regain momentum.

In value terms, table flatware exports rose significantly to $3.7B in 2022. The total export value increased at an average annual rate of +2.9% over the period from 2012 to 2022; however, the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2021 when exports increased by 31% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the global exports reached the maximum in 2022 and are likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

Exports By Country

China prevails in exports structure, finishing at 312K tons, which was near 79% of total exports in 2022. The following exporters - India (11K tons), Belgium (10K tons), the Netherlands (9.6K tons), Vietnam (8.4K tons) and Germany (7.1K tons) - together made up 12% of total exports.

China experienced a relatively flat trend pattern with regard to volume of exports of table flatware. At the same time, Belgium (+12.0%) and the Netherlands (+7.8%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, Belgium emerged as the fastest-growing exporter exported in the world, with a CAGR of +12.0% from 2012-2022. Germany experienced a relatively flat trend pattern. By contrast, India (-3.0%) and Vietnam (-3.0%) illustrated a downward trend over the same period. From 2012 to 2022, the share of Belgium increased by +1.8 percentage points, while the shares of the other countries remained relatively stable throughout the analyzed period.

In value terms, China ($2.7B) remains the largest table flatware supplier worldwide, comprising 73% of global exports. The second position in the ranking was taken by Germany ($136M), with a 3.7% share of global exports. It was followed by Vietnam, with a 3.1% share.

In China, table flatware exports increased at an average annual rate of +3.8% over the period from 2012-2022. In the other countries, the average annual rates were as follows: Germany (+1.0% per year) and Vietnam (-2.0% per year).

Exports By Type

Cutlery; other than plated with precious metal was the main type of table flatware in the world, with the volume of exports resulting at 240K tons, which was near 61% of total exports in 2022. It was distantly followed by cutlery; sets of assorted articles (eg spoons, forks, ladles, skimmers, cake-servers, fish-knives, butter knives, sugar tongs and similar), not plated with precious metal (149K tons), making up a 38% share of total exports.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of shipments, amongst the main exported products, was attained by cutlery; (eg spoons, forks, ladles, skimmers, cake-servers, fish-knives, butter-knives, sugar tongs and similar), plated with precious metal, not in sets (with a CAGR of +3.8%), while the other products experienced mixed trends in the exports figures.

In value terms, the largest types of exported table flatware were cutlery; other than plated with precious metal ($2.1B), cutlery; sets of assorted articles (eg spoons, forks, ladles, skimmers, cake-servers, fish-knives, butter knives, sugar tongs and similar), not plated with precious metal ($1.4B) and cutlery; (eg spoons, forks, ladles, skimmers, cake-servers, fish-knives, butter-knives, sugar tongs and similar), plated with precious metal, not in sets ($50M), together comprising 99% of global exports.

In terms of the main exported products, cutlery; other than plated with precious metal, with a CAGR of +4.1%, recorded the highest growth rate of the value of exports, over the period under review, while shipments for the other products experienced more modest paces of growth.

Export Prices By Type

The average table flatware export price stood at $9,311 per ton in 2022, surging by 2.3% against the previous year. In general, export price indicated tangible growth from 2012 to 2022: its price increased at an average annual rate of +3.2% over the last decade. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2022 figures, table flatware export price increased by +20.5% against 2019 indices. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2016 when the average export price increased by 69% against the previous year. As a result, the export price reached the peak level of $13,521 per ton. From 2017 to 2022, the average export prices remained at a somewhat lower figure.

There were significant differences in the average prices amongst the major exported products. In 2022, the product with the highest price was cutlery; (eg spoons, forks, ladles, skimmers, cake-servers, fish-knives, butter-knives, sugar tongs and similar), plated with precious metal, not in sets ($29,262 per ton), while the average price for exports of cutlery; other than plated with precious metal ($8,865 per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by cutlery; sets of assorted articles (eg spoons, forks, ladles, skimmers, cake-servers, fish-knives, butter-knives, sugar tongs and similar), with at least one article plated with precious metal (+5.3%), while the other products experienced more modest paces of growth.

Export Prices By Country

The average table flatware export price stood at $9,311 per ton in 2022, rising by 2.3% against the previous year. Overall, export price indicated perceptible growth from 2012 to 2022: its price increased at an average annual rate of +3.2% over the last decade. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2022 figures, table flatware export price increased by +20.5% against 2019 indices. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2016 when the average export price increased by 69% against the previous year. As a result, the export price attained the peak level of $13,521 per ton. From 2017 to 2022, the average export prices remained at a somewhat lower figure.

Prices varied noticeably by country of origin: amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was Germany ($19,052 per ton), while Belgium ($3,129 per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by India (+9.0%), while the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Market Intelligence Platform