Ball Pen Market

The article examines the global ball pen market, highlighting trends in consumption, production, imports, and exports. Despite a shrinking demand for ball pens worldwide, there is an expected increase in market value over the next eight years. China remains the largest consumer and producer of ball-point pens, while the United States and Russia lead in imports. Analysis shows a relatively flat trend in both production and consumption volumes, with fluctuations in prices and growth rates amongst the major exporting countries. Overall, the global ball pen market is forecasted to see a contraction in consumption volume but an increase in market value by the end of 2030.

Market Forecast

Depressed by shrinking demand for ball pen worldwide, the market is expected to continue its downward consumption trend over the next eight-year period. The performance of the market is forecast to contract with an anticipated CAGR of -0.8% for the period from 2022 to 2030, which is projected to depress the market volume to 22B units by the end of 2030.

In value terms, the market is forecast to contract with an anticipated CAGR of +1.4% for the period from 2022 to 2030, which is projected to bring the market value to $6.4B (in nominal prices) by the end of 2030.

Consumption

World Consumption of Ball-Point Pens

In 2022, consumption of ball-point pens increased by 5.4% to 23B units, rising for the second year in a row after two years of decline. Over the period under review, consumption, however, continues to indicate a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2021 when the consumption volume increased by 8.4% against the previous year. Global consumption peaked at 26B units in 2014; however, from 2015 to 2022, consumption remained at a lower figure.

The global ball pen market revenue was estimated at $5.8B in 2022, therefore, remained relatively stable 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, recorded a relatively flat trend pattern. Over the period under review, the global market attained the peak level at $6.6B in 2018; however, from 2019 to 2022, consumption remained at a lower figure.

Consumption By Country

China (5.2B units) remains the largest ball pen consuming country worldwide, comprising approx. 22% of total volume. Moreover, ball pen consumption in China exceeded the figures recorded by the second-largest consumer, the United States (2.5B units), twofold. The third position in this ranking was taken by Russia (2B units), with an 8.6% share.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual growth rate of volume in China totaled +2.4%. In the other countries, the average annual rates were as follows: the United States (+1.7% per year) and Russia (+9.7% per year).

In value terms, the largest ball pen markets worldwide were China ($834M), Indonesia ($500M) and the United States ($475M), together comprising 31% of the global market. Germany, France, Japan, the UK, Russia, Mexico, Pakistan, Brazil, India and Nigeria lagged somewhat behind, together comprising a further 25%.

In terms of the main consuming countries, Russia, with a CAGR of +6.6%, 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 ball pen per capita consumption in 2022 were Russia (14 units per person), the UK (8.5 units per person) and the United States (7.5 units per person).

From 2012 to 2022, the biggest increases were recorded for Russia (with a CAGR of +9.6%), while consumption for the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Production

World Production of Ball-Point Pens

In 2022, production of ball-point pens increased by 2.6% to 27B units, rising for the second year in a row after two years of decline. In general, production, however, recorded a relatively flat trend pattern. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2021 when the production volume increased by 16% against the previous year. Global production peaked at 29B units in 2014; however, from 2015 to 2022, production remained at a lower figure.

In value terms, ball pen production shrank modestly to $6B in 2022 estimated in export price. Over the period under review, production, however, continues to indicate a relatively flat trend pattern. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2018 when the production volume increased by 16% against the previous year. Over the period under review, global production hit record highs at $7B in 2014; however, from 2015 to 2022, production stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Production By Country

China (13B units) constituted the country with the largest volume of ball pen production, accounting for 50% of total volume. Moreover, ball pen production in China exceeded the figures recorded by the second-largest producer, India (3.8B units), threefold. Japan (1.6B units) ranked third in terms of total production with a 5.8% share.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual growth rate of volume in China was relatively modest. In the other countries, the average annual rates were as follows: India (+0.7% per year) and Japan (-1.8% per year).

Imports

World Imports of Ball-Point Pens

In 2022, purchases abroad of ball-point pens increased by 32% to 14B units, rising for the second consecutive year after two years of decline. In general, imports saw a relatively flat trend pattern. Over the period under review, global imports attained the maximum at 15B units in 2016; however, from 2017 to 2022, imports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

In value terms, ball pen imports soared to $2.9B in 2022. Over the period under review, imports, however, recorded a relatively flat trend pattern. Global imports peaked at $3B in 2018; however, from 2019 to 2022, imports failed to regain momentum.

Imports By Country

The United States (2.9B units) and Russia (2.1B units) represented roughly 36% of total imports in 2022. It was distantly followed by Mexico (1.1B units), mixing up an 8.2% share of total imports. The following importers - the United Arab Emirates (331M units), the UK (315M units), France (291M units), Colombia (264M units), China (260M units), Germany (253M units), Canada (237M units), Indonesia (232M units) and Thailand (215M units) - each recorded a 17% share of total imports.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of purchases, amongst the leading importing countries, was attained by China (with a CAGR of +18.5%), while imports for the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, the United States ($556M) constitutes the largest market for imported ball-point pens worldwide, comprising 19% of global imports. The second position in the ranking was held by France ($191M), with a 6.5% share of global imports. It was followed by Germany, with a 5.8% share.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual growth rate of value in the United States was relatively modest. The remaining importing countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: France (+2.7% per year) and Germany (-1.0% per year).

Import Prices By Country

In 2022, the average ball pen import price amounted to $0.2 per unit, declining by -12.2% against the previous year. Overall, the import price recorded a relatively flat trend pattern. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2020 an increase of 10% against the previous year. Over the period under review, average import prices reached the maximum at $0.2 per unit in 2021, and then fell in the following year.

Prices varied noticeably by country of destination: amid the top importers, the country with the highest price was Germany ($0.7 per unit), while Russia (less than $0.1 per unit) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Thailand (+7.4%), while the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Exports

World Exports of Ball-Point Pens

In 2022, shipments abroad of ball-point pens increased by 19% to 17B units, rising for the second year in a row after two years of decline. Overall, exports continue to indicate a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2021 when exports increased by 29% against the previous year. The global exports peaked at 18B units in 2014; however, from 2015 to 2022, the exports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

In value terms, ball pen exports expanded significantly to $3.1B in 2022. In general, exports showed a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2021 when exports increased by 20%. Over the period under review, the global exports reached the peak figure at $3.2B in 2018; however, from 2019 to 2022, the exports remained at a lower figure.

Exports By Country

In 2022, China (8.3B units) represented the key exporter of ball-point pens, creating 48% of total exports. India (3.3B units) ranks second in terms of the total exports with a 19% share, followed by Mexico (7.7%) and Japan (6.6%). The United States (508M units), Tunisia (362M units) and France (306M units) followed a long way behind the leaders.

China experienced a relatively flat trend pattern with regard to volume of exports of ball-point pens. At the same time, Tunisia (+20.8%), India (+5.0%) and Japan (+2.7%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, Tunisia emerged as the fastest-growing exporter exported in the world, with a CAGR of +20.8% from 2012-2022. Mexico experienced a relatively flat trend pattern. By contrast, the United States (-3.7%) and France (-8.8%) illustrated a downward trend over the same period. From 2012 to 2022, the share of India and Tunisia increased by +6.7 and +1.8 percentage points, respectively. The shares of the other countries remained relatively stable throughout the analyzed period.

In value terms, China ($970M), Japan ($495M) and France ($204M) constituted the countries with the highest levels of exports in 2022, together accounting for 53% of global exports. Mexico, India, the United States and Tunisia lagged somewhat behind, together comprising a further 14%.

Among the main exporting countries, Tunisia, with a CAGR of +25.0%, recorded the highest growth rate of the value of exports, over the period under review, while shipments for the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Export Prices By Country

In 2022, the average ball pen export price amounted to $0.2 per unit, declining by -5.7% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the export price showed a relatively flat trend pattern. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2020 when the average export price increased by 8.8% against the previous year. As a result, the export price reached the peak level of $0.2 per unit. From 2021 to 2022, the average 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 ($0.7 per unit), while India (less than $0.1 per unit) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by France (+9.6%), while the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Market Intelligence Platform