Stationery Market

The article discusses the anticipated market trends in the global stationery industry from 2022 to 2030. It projects a slight increase in market performance, with consumption volume projected to reach 5.8M tons and market value to reach $24.8B by 2030. Key findings include a drop in global consumption in 2022, with notable growth in Nigeria. The top consuming countries in 2022 were China, the United States, and Nigeria. China led in stationery production, while the United States topped in imports. Register books and exercise books were the most imported stationery products. China was the largest exporter of stationery, followed by India. Prices varied by product type and country of origin, with Germany commanding the highest export prices.

Market Forecast

Driven by rising demand for stationery 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 +0.1% for the period from 2022 to 2030, which is projected to bring the market volume to 5.8M tons by the end of 2030.

In value terms, the market is forecast to increase with an anticipated CAGR of +2.3% for the period from 2022 to 2030, which is projected to bring the market value to $24.8B (in nominal prices) by the end of 2030.

Consumption

World Consumption of Articles Of Stationery

In 2022, global consumption of articles of stationery shrank slightly to 5.8M tons, dropping by -2.8% on the previous year's figure. Overall, consumption recorded a perceptible curtailment. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2021 when the consumption volume increased by 5.7%. Global consumption peaked at 8.3M tons in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, consumption stood at a somewhat lower figure.

The global stationery market revenue dropped to $20.6B in 2022, almost unchanged from 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 continues to indicate a noticeable reduction. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2016 with an increase of 4.6%. Global consumption peaked at $27.9B in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, consumption failed to regain momentum.

Consumption By Country

The countries with the highest volumes of consumption in 2022 were China (1.1M tons), the United States (753K tons) and Nigeria (271K tons), with a combined 36% share of global consumption.

From 2012 to 2022, the biggest increases were recorded for Nigeria (with a CAGR of +3.8%), while consumption for the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, the largest stationery markets worldwide were the United States ($4.8B), China ($3B) and Bangladesh ($609M), together accounting for 41% of the global market. Germany, the Philippines, Pakistan, Nigeria, Ethiopia, France, Indonesia, Brazil, Russia and Mexico lagged somewhat behind, together accounting for a further 15%.

Among the main consuming countries, Nigeria, with a CAGR of +4.5%, saw the highest growth rate of 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 stationery per capita consumption in 2022 were the United States (2.2 kg per person), Germany (1.5 kg per person) and France (1.5 kg per person).

From 2012 to 2022, the biggest increases were recorded for Indonesia (with a CAGR of +1.5%), while consumption for the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Production

World Production of Articles Of Stationery

In 2022, approx. 5.8M tons of articles of stationery were produced worldwide; which is down by -3.2% on 2021. Over the period under review, production recorded a noticeable descent. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2021 when the production volume increased by 6.8% against the previous year. Global production peaked at 8.4M tons in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, production failed to regain momentum.

In value terms, stationery production dropped slightly to $19.5B in 2022 estimated in export price. In general, production continues to indicate a pronounced slump. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2018 with an increase of 9.3%. Over the period under review, global production attained the peak level at $27.6B in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, production failed to regain momentum.

Production By Country

China (1.6M tons) constituted the country with the largest volume of stationery production, comprising approx. 28% of total volume. Moreover, stationery production in China exceeded the figures recorded by the second-largest producer, the United States (474K tons), threefold. Indonesia (286K tons) ranked third in terms of total production with a 5% share.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual rate of growth in terms of volume in China amounted to -1.1%. In the other countries, the average annual rates were as follows: the United States (-7.1% per year) and Indonesia (+1.2% per year).

Imports

World Imports of Articles Of Stationery

In 2022, approx. 1.4M tons of articles of stationery were imported worldwide; increasing by 17% on the previous year. In general, imports saw a relatively flat trend pattern. As a result, imports attained the peak and are likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

In value terms, stationery imports soared to $4.6B in 2022. Overall, imports recorded a relatively flat trend pattern. Global imports peaked at $4.7B in 2018; however, from 2019 to 2022, imports remained at a lower figure.

Imports By Country

In 2022, the United States (294K tons), distantly followed by Nigeria (97K tons), Germany (77K tons) and the UK (69K tons) represented the major importers of articles of stationery, together mixing up 38% of total imports. The following importers - the Netherlands (55K tons), France (47K tons), Canada (31K tons), Japan (28K tons), Australia (25K tons), Spain (25K tons) and Malaysia (22K tons) - together made up 17% of total imports.

Imports into the United States increased at an average annual rate of +3.2% from 2012 to 2022. At the same time, Nigeria (+47.2%), Malaysia (+12.4%), the Netherlands (+3.0%), Spain (+2.7%) and France (+1.7%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, Nigeria emerged as the fastest-growing importer imported in the world, with a CAGR of +47.2% from 2012-2022. Germany experienced a relatively flat trend pattern. By contrast, Canada (-1.6%), the UK (-2.0%), Australia (-4.8%) and Japan (-5.1%) illustrated a downward trend over the same period. Nigeria (+6.7 p.p.) and the United States (+4.6 p.p.) significantly strengthened its position in terms of the global imports, while Japan saw its share reduced by -1.6% from 2012 to 2022, respectively. The shares of the other countries remained relatively stable throughout the analyzed period.

In value terms, the United States ($989M) constitutes the largest market for imported articles of stationery worldwide, comprising 21% of global imports. The second position in the ranking was taken by Germany ($324M), with a 7% share of global imports. It was followed by the UK, with a 6.3% share.

In the United States, stationery imports remained relatively stable over the period from 2012-2022. In the other countries, the average annual rates were as follows: Germany (+1.5% per year) and the UK (+0.2% per year).

Imports By Type

Registers, account books, order books and receipt books represented the largest type of articles of stationery in the world, with the volume of imports accounting for 655K tons, which was approx. 46% of total imports in 2022. Exercise books (340K tons) took a 24% share (based on physical terms) of total imports, which put it in second place, followed by paper binders, folders and file covers (19%) and blotting pads and book covers (8.9%). Albums for samples, collections, stamps or photographs (29K tons) took a relatively small share of total imports.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of purchases, amongst the leading imported products, was attained by blotting pads and book covers (with a CAGR of +4.5%), while imports for the other products experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, registers, account books, order books and receipt books ($2.7B) constitutes the largest type of articles of stationery imported worldwide, comprising 57% of global imports. The second position in the ranking was taken by paper binders, folders and file covers ($773M), with a 17% share of global imports. It was followed by exercise books, with a 14% share.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual growth rate of the value of registers, account books, order books and receipt books imports totaled +1.2%. With regard to the other imported products, the following average annual rates of growth were recorded: paper binders, folders and file covers (-1.8% per year) and exercise books (+2.0% per year).

Import Prices By Type

In 2022, the average stationery import price amounted to $3,271 per ton, leveling off at the previous year. Over the period under review, the import price, however, showed a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2018 an increase of 6.2%. Over the period under review, average import prices hit record highs at $3,433 per ton in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, import prices stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Prices varied noticeably by the product type; the product with the highest price was albums for samples, collections, stamps or photographs ($5,765 per ton), while the price for exercise books ($1,893 per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by stamp and photo collection album (+1.8%), while the other products experienced mixed trends in the import price figures.

Import Prices By Country

In 2022, the average stationery import price amounted to $3,271 per ton, approximately equating the previous year. In general, the import price, however, continues to indicate a relatively flat trend pattern. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2018 when the average import price increased by 6.2% against the previous year. Over the period under review, average import prices reached the maximum at $3,433 per ton in 2012; however, from 2013 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 Canada ($4,930 per ton), while Nigeria ($1,521 per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Australia (+4.1%), while the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Exports

World Exports of Articles Of Stationery

Global stationery exports expanded sharply to 1.4M tons in 2022, increasing by 15% compared with 2021. Overall, exports, however, saw a relatively flat trend pattern. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2017 when exports increased by 22%. The global exports peaked at 1.5M tons in 2014; however, from 2015 to 2022, the exports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

In value terms, stationery exports surged to $5B in 2022. The total export value increased at an average annual rate of +1.1% over the period from 2012 to 2022; the trend pattern remained relatively stable, with somewhat noticeable fluctuations throughout the analyzed period. As a result, the exports attained the peak and are likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

Exports By Country

China was the largest exporting country with an export of about 591K tons, which accounted for 42% of total exports. India (156K tons) ranks second in terms of the total exports with an 11% share, followed by Indonesia (5.2%). Germany (51K tons), Vietnam (48K tons), Mexico (44K tons), Poland (42K tons), the Netherlands (31K tons), France (30K tons), Malaysia (28K tons) and the Czech Republic (22K tons) held a relatively small share of total exports.

China experienced a relatively flat trend pattern with regard to volume of exports of articles of stationery. At the same time, Poland (+8.5%), Vietnam (+7.8%) and India (+7.1%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, Poland emerged as the fastest-growing exporter exported in the world, with a CAGR of +8.5% from 2012-2022. The Netherlands experienced a relatively flat trend pattern. By contrast, the Czech Republic (-1.7%), Indonesia (-2.1%), France (-2.3%), Germany (-2.7%), Malaysia (-4.2%) and Mexico (-5.5%) illustrated a downward trend over the same period. While the share of India (+5.8 p.p.), China (+2.8 p.p.), Vietnam (+1.9 p.p.) and Poland (+1.7 p.p.) increased significantly in terms of the global exports from 2012-2022, the share of Mexico (-2.1 p.p.) displayed negative dynamics. The shares of the other countries remained relatively stable throughout the analyzed period.

In value terms, China ($2.1B) remains the largest stationery supplier worldwide, comprising 43% of global exports. The second position in the ranking was held by Germany ($289M), with a 5.8% share of global exports. It was followed by India, with a 5.1% share.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual rate of growth in terms of value in China totaled +3.6%. The remaining exporting countries recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: Germany (-0.2% per year) and India (+9.0% per year).

Exports By Type

In 2022, registers, account books, order books and receipt books (744K tons) represented the key type of articles of stationery, achieving 52% of total exports. Exercise books (353K tons) took a 25% share (based on physical terms) of total exports, which put it in second place, followed by paper binders, folders and file covers (15%). Blotting pads and book covers (60K tons) and albums for samples, collections, stamps or photographs (40K tons) followed a long way behind the leaders.

Registers, account books, order books and receipt books was also the fastest-growing in terms of exports, with a CAGR of +1.2% from 2012 to 2022. Exercise books experienced a relatively flat trend pattern. blotting pads and book covers (-2.2%), paper binders, folders and file covers (-3.2%) and albums for samples, collections, stamps or photographs (-6.4%) illustrated a downward trend over the same period. Registers, account books, order books and receipt books (+7.8 p.p.) and exercise books (+1.9 p.p.) significantly strengthened its position in terms of the global exports, while albums for samples, collections, stamps or photographs and paper binders, folders and file covers saw its share reduced by -2.4% and -5% from 2012 to 2022, respectively. The shares of the other products remained relatively stable throughout the analyzed period.

In value terms, registers, account books, order books and receipt books ($3.1B) remains the largest type of articles of stationery supplied worldwide, comprising 62% of global exports. The second position in the ranking was held by exercise books ($679M), with a 13% share of global exports. It was followed by paper binders, folders and file covers, with a 13% share.

For registers, account books, order books and receipt books, exports increased at an average annual rate of +2.9% over the period from 2012-2022. With regard to the other exported products, the following average annual rates of growth were recorded: exercise books (+1.4% per year) and paper binders, folders and file covers (-2.6% per year).

Export Prices By Type

In 2022, the average stationery export price amounted to $3,535 per ton, surging by 2.8% against the previous year. Over the last decade, it increased at an average annual rate of +1.6%. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2016 an increase of 16% against the previous year. The global export price peaked in 2022 and is likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

There were significant differences in the average prices amongst the major exported products. In 2022, the product with the highest price was albums for samples, collections, stamps or photographs ($7,204 per ton), while the average price for exports of exercise books ($1,923 per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by stamp and photo collection album (+5.2%), while the other products experienced more modest paces of growth.

Export Prices By Country

In 2022, the average stationery export price amounted to $3,535 per ton, growing by 2.8% against the previous year. Over the last decade, it increased at an average annual rate of +1.6%. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2016 an increase of 16% against the previous year. The global export price peaked in 2022 and is likely to continue growth in the near future.

Prices varied noticeably by country of origin: amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was Germany ($5,663 per ton), while Indonesia ($1,545 per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Poland (+4.2%), while the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Market Intelligence Platform