Photographic Flashbulb Market

The article discusses the declining trend in the global market for photographic flashbulbs, with a projected decrease in consumption but an increase in market value. It provides insights into key consuming and producing countries, as well as trends in imports and exports of photographic flashbulbs. Overall, the market is expected to continue its downward trend in consumption but show growth in value terms over the next eight years.

Market Forecast

Depressed by shrinking demand for photographic flashbulb worldwide, the market is expected to continue its downward consumption trend over the next eight years. The performance of the market is forecast to contract with an anticipated CAGR of -2.1% for the period from 2022 to 2030, which is projected to depress the market volume to 132M units by the end of 2030.

In value terms, the market is forecast to contract with an anticipated CAGR of +3.2% for the period from 2022 to 2030, which is projected to bring the market value to $1.7B (in nominal prices) by the end of 2030.

Consumption

World Consumption of Photographic Flashbulbs And Flashcubes

In 2022, consumption of photographic flashbulbs and flashcubes was finally on the rise to reach 156M units after three years of decline. Overall, consumption, however, saw a perceptible decline. Over the period under review, global consumption hit record highs at 203M units in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, consumption stood at a somewhat lower figure.

The global photographic flashbulb market size totaled $1.3B in 2022, increasing by 2.2% 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). Over the period under review, consumption showed a relatively flat trend pattern. Over the period under review, the global market attained the maximum level at $1.5B in 2019; however, from 2020 to 2022, consumption remained at a lower figure.

Consumption By Country

Hong Kong SAR (84M units) constituted the country with the largest volume of photographic flashbulb consumption, comprising approx. 54% of total volume. Moreover, photographic flashbulb consumption in Hong Kong SAR exceeded the figures recorded by the second-largest consumer, Thailand (19M units), fourfold. China (18M units) ranked third in terms of total consumption with a 12% share.

In Hong Kong SAR, photographic flashbulb consumption declined by an average annual rate of -3.2% over the period from 2012-2022. In the other countries, the average annual rates were as follows: Thailand (+1.6% per year) and China (-8.5% per year).

In value terms, Thailand ($410M), Hong Kong SAR ($264M) and the United States ($211M) appeared to be the countries with the highest levels of market value in 2022, together accounting for 66% of the global market.

In terms of the main consuming countries, the United States, with a CAGR of +19.6%, 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.

In 2022, the highest levels of photographic flashbulb per capita consumption was registered in Hong Kong SAR (11 units per person), followed by Singapore (3.1 units per person), Thailand (0.3 units per person) and the United States (less than 0.1 units per person), while the world average per capita consumption of photographic flashbulb was estimated at less than 0.1 units per person.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual rate of growth in terms of the photographic flashbulb per capita consumption in Hong Kong SAR amounted to -3.8%. The remaining consuming countries recorded the following average annual rates of per capita consumption growth: Singapore (+0.7% per year) and Thailand (+1.2% per year).

Production

World Production of Photographic Flashbulbs And Flashcubes

In 2022, global production of photographic flashbulbs and flashcubes stood at 195M units, approximately reflecting 2021 figures. Over the period under review, production showed a relatively flat trend pattern. As a result, production attained the peak volume and is likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

In value terms, photographic flashbulb production stood at $1.9B in 2022 estimated in export price. In general, production, however, showed a relatively flat trend pattern. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2017 when the production volume increased by 5.5% against the previous year. As a result, production attained the peak level of $2B. From 2018 to 2022, global production growth remained at a lower figure.

Production By Country

The country with the largest volume of photographic flashbulb production was Hong Kong SAR (117M units), comprising approx. 60% of total volume. Moreover, photographic flashbulb production in Hong Kong SAR exceeded the figures recorded by the second-largest producer, China (31M units), fourfold. The third position in this ranking was held by Thailand (18M units), with a 9.4% share.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual growth rate of volume in Hong Kong SAR was relatively modest. The remaining producing countries recorded the following average annual rates of production growth: China (+0.0% per year) and Thailand (+0.3% per year).

Imports

World Imports of Photographic Flashbulbs And Flashcubes

In 2022, overseas purchases of photographic flashbulbs and flashcubes increased by 51% to 94M units, rising for the third year in a row after seven years of decline. Overall, imports recorded a strong expansion. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2021 with an increase of 698% against the previous year. Global imports peaked in 2022 and are likely to continue growth in the near future.

In value terms, photographic flashbulb imports soared to $374M in 2022. In general, imports showed a resilient expansion. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2021 when imports increased by 122%. Global imports peaked in 2022 and are expected to retain growth in years to come.

Imports By Country

Hong Kong SAR prevails in imports structure, amounting to 82M units, which was approx. 87% of total imports in 2022. It was distantly followed by the United States (6.7M units), committing a 7.2% share of total imports. Thailand (1.6M units) followed a long way behind the leaders.

From 2012 to 2022, average annual rates of growth with regard to photographic flashbulb imports into Hong Kong SAR stood at +17.3%. At the same time, Thailand (+30.8%) and the United States (+24.0%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, Thailand emerged as the fastest-growing importer imported in the world, with a CAGR of +30.8% from 2012-2022. Hong Kong SAR (+54 p.p.) and the United States (+5.6 p.p.) significantly strengthened its position in terms of the global imports, while the shares of the other countries remained relatively stable throughout the analyzed period.

In value terms, Hong Kong SAR ($218M) constitutes the largest market for imported photographic flashbulbs and flashcubes worldwide, comprising 58% of global imports. The second position in the ranking was held by the United States ($70M), with a 19% share of global imports.

In Hong Kong SAR, photographic flashbulb imports expanded at an average annual rate of +19.2% over the period from 2012-2022. The remaining importing countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: the United States (+11.4% per year) and Thailand (-3.6% per year).

Import Prices By Country

The average photographic flashbulb import price stood at $4 per unit in 2022, dropping by -11.4% against the previous year. Overall, the import price, however, enjoyed a mild expansion. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2016 when the average import price increased by 36%. Over the period under review, average import prices hit record highs at $17 per unit in 2019; however, from 2020 to 2022, import prices stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Prices varied noticeably by country of destination: amid the top importers, the country with the highest price was the United States ($10 per unit), while Thailand ($2.4 per unit) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Hong Kong SAR (+1.7%), while the other global leaders experienced a decline in the import price figures.

Exports

World Exports of Photographic Flashbulbs And Flashcubes

In 2022, approx. 133M units of photographic flashbulbs and flashcubes were exported worldwide; with an increase of 5.1% against the year before. Overall, exports recorded strong growth. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2021 with an increase of 350%. The global exports peaked in 2022 and are likely to see steady growth in the immediate term.

In value terms, photographic flashbulb exports rose remarkably to $412M in 2022. Over the period under review, exports recorded a remarkable increase. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2021 with an increase of 197%. The global exports peaked in 2022 and are likely to see gradual growth in the immediate term.

Exports By Country

In 2022, Hong Kong SAR (116M units) was the key exporter of photographic flashbulbs and flashcubes, comprising 87% of total exports. It was distantly followed by China (14M units), achieving a 10% share of total exports. Myanmar (2.4M units) held a little share of total exports.

From 2012 to 2022, average annual rates of growth with regard to photographic flashbulb exports from Hong Kong SAR stood at +25.0%. At the same time, Myanmar (+94.5%) and China (+8.1%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, Myanmar emerged as the fastest-growing exporter exported in the world, with a CAGR of +94.5% from 2012-2022. From 2012 to 2022, the share of Hong Kong SAR and Myanmar increased by +47 and +1.8 percentage points, respectively.

In value terms, Hong Kong SAR ($278M) remains the largest photographic flashbulb supplier worldwide, comprising 67% of global exports. The second position in the ranking was held by China ($85M), with a 21% share of global exports.

In Hong Kong SAR, photographic flashbulb exports increased at an average annual rate of +37.2% over the period from 2012-2022. In the other countries, the average annual rates were as follows: China (+2.1% per year) and Myanmar (-14.1% per year).

Export Prices By Country

In 2022, the average photographic flashbulb export price amounted to $3.1 per unit, approximately equating the previous year. Overall, the export price, however, saw a abrupt decline. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2018 an increase of 34% against the previous year. As a result, the export price attained the peak level of $8.1 per unit. From 2019 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 China ($6.2 per unit), while Myanmar ($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 Hong Kong SAR (+9.8%), while the other global leaders experienced a decline in the export price figures.

Source: IndexBox Market Intelligence Platform