Metal Letter Clip Market

The metal letter clip market is projected to decline in both volume and value over the next eight years. China leads in both consumption and production of metal letter clips, with significant growth in both areas. The global market for metal letter clips has seen noticeable fluctuations over the years, with imports and exports also experiencing changes in trends. Overall, the metal letter clip industry is expected to continue to evolve in the coming years.

Market Forecast

The metal letter clip market is expected to start a downward consumption trend over the next eight years. The performance of the market is forecast to decrease slightly, with an anticipated CAGR of -2.7% for the eight-year period from 2022 to 2030, which is projected to depress the market volume to 117K tons by the end of 2030.

In value terms, the market is forecast to contract with an anticipated CAGR of -1.0% for the period from 2022 to 2030, which is projected to bring the market value to $542M (in nominal prices) by the end of 2030.

Consumption

World Consumption of Letter Clips, Letter Corners Of Base Metal

In 2022, global consumption of letter clips, letter corners of base metal surged to 146K tons, with an increase of 58% against the year before. In general, the total consumption indicated prominent growth from 2012 to 2022: its volume increased at an average annual rate of +5.9% over the last decade. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2022 figures, consumption increased by +63.5% against 2020 indices. As a result, consumption reached the peak volume and is likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

The global metal letter clip market size surged to $590M in 2022, rising by 63% 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, the total consumption indicated prominent growth from 2012 to 2022: its value increased at an average annual rate of +7.3% over the last decade. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2022 figures, consumption increased by +71.1% against 2020 indices. As a result, consumption reached the peak level and is likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

Consumption By Country

China (27K tons) constituted the country with the largest volume of metal letter clip consumption, comprising approx. 19% of total volume. Moreover, metal letter clip consumption in China exceeded the figures recorded by the second-largest consumer, the United States (12K tons), twofold. India (11K tons) ranked third in terms of total consumption with a 7.3% share.

In China, metal letter clip consumption expanded at an average annual rate of +9.0% over the period from 2012-2022. The remaining consuming countries recorded the following average annual rates of consumption growth: the United States (+6.6% per year) and India (+7.7% per year).

In value terms, China ($98M) led the market, alone. The second position in the ranking was taken by the United States ($48M). It was followed by Italy.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual rate of growth in terms of value in China totaled +9.7%. The remaining consuming countries recorded the following average annual rates of market growth: the United States (+5.5% per year) and Italy (+40.7% per year).

In 2022, the highest levels of metal letter clip per capita consumption was registered in Hong Kong SAR (494 kg per 1000 persons), followed by Italy (150 kg per 1000 persons), France (66 kg per 1000 persons) and the UK (63 kg per 1000 persons), while the world average per capita consumption of metal letter clip was estimated at 19 kg per 1000 persons.

In Hong Kong SAR, metal letter clip per capita consumption expanded at an average annual rate of +9.9% over the period from 2012-2022. The remaining consuming countries recorded the following average annual rates of per capita consumption growth: Italy (+40.5% per year) and France (+10.6% per year).

Production

World Production of Letter Clips, Letter Corners Of Base Metal

In 2022, approx. 150K tons of letter clips, letter corners of base metal were produced worldwide; with an increase of 56% compared with 2021. Over the period under review, the total production indicated a prominent increase from 2012 to 2022: its volume increased at an average annual rate of +5.3% over the last decade. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2022 figures, production increased by +65.6% against 2020 indices. As a result, production reached the peak volume and is likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

In value terms, metal letter clip production expanded rapidly to $467M in 2022 estimated in export price. The total output value increased at an average annual rate of +3.7% over the period from 2012 to 2022; however, the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded in certain years. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2019 when the production volume increased by 12% against the previous year. Over the period under review, global production attained the maximum level in 2022 and is expected to retain growth in the immediate term.

Production By Country

China (76K tons) constituted the country with the largest volume of metal letter clip production, accounting for 51% of total volume. Moreover, metal letter clip production in China exceeded the figures recorded by the second-largest producer, Italy (8.9K tons), ninefold. India (7.8K tons) ranked third in terms of total production with a 5.2% share.

In China, metal letter clip production remained relatively stable over the period from 2012-2022. The remaining producing countries recorded the following average annual rates of production growth: Italy (+36.4% per year) and India (+5.4% per year).

Imports

World Imports of Letter Clips, Letter Corners Of Base Metal

In 2022, supplies from abroad of letter clips, letter corners of base metal increased by 7.1% to 56K tons, rising for the second consecutive year after two years of decline. Overall, imports, however, recorded a noticeable shrinkage. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2017 with an increase of 13%. Over the period under review, global imports reached the maximum at 79K tons in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2022, imports remained at a lower figure.

In value terms, metal letter clip imports rose sharply to $218M in 2022. Over the period under review, imports, however, showed a mild setback. Over the period under review, global imports hit record highs at $257M in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2022, imports remained at a lower figure.

Imports By Country

In 2022, the United States (6.6K tons), followed by Hong Kong SAR (3.9K tons), Mexico (3.4K tons), Indonesia (3.1K tons) and India (2.9K tons) were the largest importers of letter clips, letter corners of base metal, together constituting 36% of total imports. Thailand (2.5K tons), Germany (2.2K tons), Russia (2.1K tons), Japan (1.7K tons), Guinea (1.2K tons), South Korea (1.2K tons), Vietnam (1.1K tons) and Canada (1K tons) followed a long way behind the leaders.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of purchases, amongst the main importing countries, was attained by Guinea (with a CAGR of +32.6%), while imports for the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, the United States ($25M) constitutes the largest market for imported letter clips, letter corners of base metal worldwide, comprising 12% of global imports. The second position in the ranking was taken by Germany ($11M), with a 5.2% share of global imports. It was followed by Japan, with a 4.6% share.

In the United States, metal letter clip imports 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: Germany (+0.2% per year) and Japan (-1.3% per year).

Import Prices By Country

The average metal letter clip import price stood at $3,924 per ton in 2022, increasing by 6.5% against the previous year. Over the period from 2012 to 2022, it increased at an average annual rate of +1.5%. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2014 when the average import price increased by 17%. Over the period under review, average import prices hit record highs at $3,937 per ton in 2018; afterwards, it flattened through to 2022.

Prices varied noticeably by country of destination: amid the top importers, the country with the highest price was Guinea ($5,897 per ton), while India ($1,284 per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Guinea (+10.2%), while the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Exports

World Exports of Letter Clips, Letter Corners Of Base Metal

In 2022, overseas shipments of letter clips, letter corners of base metal increased by 7.4% to 60K tons, rising for the second consecutive year after three years of decline. Overall, exports, however, saw a pronounced reduction. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2017 with an increase of 37% against the previous year. The global exports peaked at 79K tons in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, the exports failed to regain momentum.

In value terms, metal letter clip exports surged to $335M in 2022. The total export value increased at an average annual rate of +1.4% over the period from 2012 to 2022; however, the trend pattern remained relatively stable, with somewhat noticeable fluctuations being recorded in certain years. The global exports peaked at $345M in 2014; however, from 2015 to 2022, the exports remained at a lower figure.

Exports By Country

China dominates exports structure, amounting to 49K tons, which was near 83% of total exports in 2022. Slovenia (1.8K tons) and the United States (1.3K tons) followed a long way behind the leaders.

Exports from China decreased at an average annual rate of -1.9% from 2012 to 2022. At the same time, Slovenia (+1.0%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, Slovenia emerged as the fastest-growing exporter exported in the world, with a CAGR of +1.0% from 2012-2022. By contrast, the United States (-1.8%) illustrated a downward trend over the same period. While the share of China (+6.8 p.p.) increased significantly, the shares of the other countries remained relatively stable throughout the analyzed period.

In value terms, China ($265M) remains the largest metal letter clip supplier worldwide, comprising 79% of global exports. The second position in the ranking was held by the United States ($8.1M), with a 2.4% share of global exports.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual rate of growth in terms of value in China stood at +3.2%. The remaining exporting countries recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: the United States (+0.4% per year) and Slovenia (+2.6% per year).

Export Prices By Country

The average metal letter clip export price stood at $5,623 per ton in 2022, growing by 15% against the previous year. Over the last decade, it increased at an average annual rate of +4.3%. As a result, the export price attained the peak level and is likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

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 the United States ($6,488 per ton), while Slovenia ($4,164 per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by China (+5.2%), while the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Market Intelligence Platform