Envelope Market

The article discusses the anticipated decline in global envelope consumption and production from 2022 to 2030, with a focus on market value. Key consuming and producing countries such as the United States, China, and India are highlighted, along with import and export trends. Price variations and growth rates in various countries over the past decade are also examined.

Market Forecast

Depressed by shrinking demand for envelope 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 -0.0% for the period from 2022 to 2030, which is projected to depress the market volume to 4.6M tons by the end of 2030.

In value terms, the market is forecast to contract with an anticipated CAGR of +1.7% for the period from 2022 to 2030, which is projected to bring the market value to $18.5B (in nominal prices) by the end of 2030.

Consumption

World Consumption of Envelopes

Global envelope consumption amounted to 4.6M tons in 2022, increasing by 1.7% on 2021 figures. Over the period under review, consumption, however, showed a perceptible downturn. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2017 with an increase of 1.7% against the previous year. Global consumption peaked at 5.8M tons in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, consumption stood at a somewhat lower figure.

The global envelope market value expanded markedly to $16.2B in 2022, picking up by 5.6% 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). Overall, consumption, however, showed a perceptible reduction. Global consumption peaked at $20.3B in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, consumption remained at a lower figure.

Consumption By Country

The countries with the highest volumes of consumption in 2022 were the United States (1.1M tons), China (763K tons) and India (298K tons), with a combined 48% share of global consumption. Germany, Japan, Pakistan, Indonesia, Brazil, Mexico, Nigeria, Bangladesh, France and the UK lagged somewhat behind, together comprising a further 22%.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of consumption, amongst the key consuming countries, was attained by Nigeria (with a CAGR of +4.1%), while consumption for the other global leaders experienced mixed trends in the consumption figures.

In value terms, China ($3B), the United States ($2.2B) and Japan ($2.2B) were the countries with the highest levels of market value in 2022, together comprising 46% of the global market. Nigeria, India, Bangladesh, Germany, France, the UK, Brazil, Pakistan, Indonesia and Mexico lagged somewhat behind, together comprising a further 22%.

Nigeria, with a CAGR of +9.3%, recorded the highest growth rate of market size in terms of the main consuming countries 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 envelope per capita consumption in 2022 were the United States (3,406 kg per 1000 persons), Germany (1,787 kg per 1000 persons) and France (1,183 kg per 1000 persons).

From 2012 to 2022, the biggest increases were recorded for Nigeria (with a CAGR of +1.4%), while consumption for the other global leaders experienced mixed trends in the per capita consumption figures.

Production

World Production of Envelopes

In 2022, the amount of envelopes produced worldwide totaled 4.8M tons, increasing by 3.8% against the previous year's figure. Overall, production, however, saw a slight slump. Global production peaked at 5.8M tons in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, production failed to regain momentum.

In value terms, envelope production rose remarkably to $16.4B in 2022 estimated in export price. In general, production, however, recorded a pronounced shrinkage. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2017 when the production volume increased by 7%. Over the period under review, global production reached the maximum level at $20B in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, production failed to regain momentum.

Production By Country

The countries with the highest volumes of production in 2022 were the United States (1.2M tons), China (808K tons) and India (304K tons), with a combined 49% share of global production. Mexico, Germany, Japan, Pakistan, Indonesia, Brazil, Nigeria, Bangladesh and France lagged somewhat behind, together comprising a further 19%.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of production, amongst the key producing countries, was attained by Nigeria (with a CAGR of +4.2%), while production for the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Imports

World Imports of Envelopes

In 2022, supplies from abroad of envelopes increased by 0.1% to 268K tons, rising for the second consecutive year after two years of decline. In general, imports, however, showed a slight reduction. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2013 when imports increased by 5%. Over the period under review, global imports reached the peak figure at 333K tons in 2014; however, from 2015 to 2022, imports remained at a lower figure.

In value terms, envelope imports totaled $866M in 2022. Over the period under review, imports continue to indicate a relatively flat trend pattern. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2021 when imports increased by 12% against the previous year. Global imports peaked in 2022 and are expected to retain growth in years to come.

Imports By Country

Germany (38K tons) and the United States (33K tons) were the main importers of envelopes in 2022, resulting at approx. 14% and 12% of total imports, respectively. The UK (21K tons) ranks next in terms of the total imports with a 7.9% share, followed by Japan (7.3%), Sweden (6.3%), Canada (5.9%) and France (5.8%). The following importers - Belgium (7.6K tons), Australia (7K tons), Austria (6.7K tons), the Czech Republic (6.6K tons), Italy (5.9K tons) and Hong Kong SAR (5.3K tons) - together made up 15% of total imports.

From 2012 to 2022, the biggest increases were recorded for Sweden (with a CAGR of +9.3%), while purchases for the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, the United States ($180M), Germany ($105M) and Japan ($64M) constituted the countries with the highest levels of imports in 2022, with a combined 40% share of global imports. France, Canada, the UK, the Czech Republic, Sweden, Australia, Belgium, Italy, Austria and Hong Kong SAR lagged somewhat behind, together accounting for a further 34%.

Italy, with a CAGR of +10.4%, saw the highest growth rate of the value of imports, among 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

In 2022, the average envelope import price amounted to $3,229 per ton, increasing by 9.1% against the previous year. Over the period from 2012 to 2022, it increased at an average annual rate of +2.2%. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2021 when the average import price increased by 12% against the previous year. Over the period under review, average import prices hit record highs in 2022 and is likely to continue growth in years to come.

Prices varied noticeably by country of destination: amid the top importers, the country with the highest price was the United States ($5,495 per ton), while Sweden ($1,469 per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by the United States (+6.8%), while the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Exports

World Exports of Envelopes

In 2022, shipments abroad of envelopes increased by 30% to 432K tons, rising for the second consecutive year after two years of decline. The total export volume increased at an average annual rate of +3.6% from 2012 to 2022; however, the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded in certain years. As a result, the exports reached the peak and are likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

In value terms, envelope exports rose notably to $939M in 2022. The total export value increased at an average annual rate of +1.7% from 2012 to 2022; however, the trend pattern remained relatively stable, with only minor fluctuations in certain years. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2018 when exports increased by 15% against the previous year. The global exports peaked in 2022 and are expected to retain growth in the immediate term.

Exports By Country

In 2022, the United States (114K tons), distantly followed by Mexico (56K tons), Poland (51K tons), China (45K tons) and Germany (23K tons) were the largest exporters of envelopes, together generating 67% of total exports. The following exporters - the Netherlands (17K tons), Canada (13K tons), Slovakia (9.8K tons), France (9.3K tons), Hungary (8.5K tons) and Spain (7.5K tons) - together made up 15% of total exports.

The United States was also the fastest-growing in terms of the envelopes exports, with a CAGR of +17.3% from 2012 to 2022. At the same time, the Netherlands (+11.2%), Mexico (+10.7%), Canada (+9.7%), Poland (+8.1%), Hungary (+5.6%) and China (+5.1%) displayed positive paces of growth. By contrast, France (-2.4%), Slovakia (-4.8%), Germany (-5.4%) and Spain (-11.4%) illustrated a downward trend over the same period. While the share of the United States (+19 p.p.), Mexico (+6.3 p.p.), Poland (+4.1 p.p.) and the Netherlands (+2 p.p.) increased significantly in terms of the global exports from 2012-2022, the share of France (-1.8 p.p.), Slovakia (-3 p.p.), Spain (-6.6 p.p.) and Germany (-7.8 p.p.) displayed negative dynamics. The shares of the other countries remained relatively stable throughout the analyzed period.

In value terms, China ($168M), Poland ($122M) and Mexico ($83M) were the countries with the highest levels of exports in 2022, together accounting for 40% of global exports. Germany, the United States, the Netherlands, Canada, France, Spain, Slovakia and Hungary lagged somewhat behind, together comprising a further 36%.

In terms of the main exporting countries, Canada, with a CAGR of +11.3%, recorded the highest rates of growth with regard to 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 envelope export price amounted to $2,174 per ton, with a decrease of -13.2% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the export price showed a slight descent. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2020 an increase of 3.7%. As a result, the export price attained the peak level of $2,675 per ton. From 2021 to 2022, the average export prices failed to regain momentum.

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 ($3,972 per ton), while the United States ($528 per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Slovakia (+7.2%), while the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Market Intelligence Platform