Photographic Film Market

The global photographic film market is projected to experience a slight increase in both volume and value over the period from 2022 to 2030, with a forecasted CAGR of +1.5% and +3.6% respectively. Consumption of photographic film has seen fluctuations over the years, with notable growth in certain countries like Thailand. Production and imports have also shown varying trends, with the United States being a significant player in both categories. Exports of photographic film are on the rise, with key exporting countries including Japan, China, and the United States. Prices of photographic film have shown a downward trend in recent years, with some fluctuations in average export prices amongst major exporting countries.

Market Forecast

Driven by rising demand for photographic film 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 +1.5% for the period from 2022 to 2030, which is projected to bring the market volume to 2.4B square meters by the end of 2030.

In value terms, the market is forecast to increase with an anticipated CAGR of +3.6% for the period from 2022 to 2030, which is projected to bring the market value to $14.6B (in nominal prices) by the end of 2030.

Consumption

World Consumption of Photographic Plates And Film, Photographic Paper, Paperboard And Textiles And Instant Print Film, Sensitized, Unexposed

In 2022, global photographic film consumption expanded notably to 2.1B square meters, growing by 12% against the previous year's figure. In general, consumption, however, continues to indicate a pronounced curtailment. Over the period under review, global consumption hit record highs at 2.8B square meters in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, consumption remained at a lower figure.

The global photographic film market size rose significantly to $11B in 2022, increasing by 10% 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, however, saw a perceptible contraction. Global consumption peaked at $17.2B 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 (481M square meters), China (410M square meters) and Germany (114M square meters), together accounting for 47% of global consumption. Japan, the UK, France, South Korea, Thailand, Mexico, Turkey, Spain, Brazil and Italy lagged somewhat behind, together comprising a further 27%.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of consumption, amongst the leading consuming countries, was attained by Thailand (with a CAGR of +4.6%), while consumption for the other global leaders experienced mixed trends in the consumption figures.

In value terms, the United States ($2.9B) led the market, alone. The second position in the ranking was taken by China ($1.2B). It was followed by France.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual growth rate of value in the United States amounted to -5.1%. In the other countries, the average annual rates were as follows: China (-3.9% per year) and France (-2.9% per year).

The countries with the highest levels of photographic film per capita consumption in 2022 were the United States (1,434 square meters per 1000 persons), Germany (1,377 square meters per 1000 persons) and South Korea (1,279 square meters per 1000 persons).

From 2012 to 2022, the biggest increases were recorded for Thailand (with a CAGR of +4.3%), while consumption for the other global leaders experienced a decline in the per capita consumption figures.

Production

World Production of Photographic Plates And Film, Photographic Paper, Paperboard And Textiles And Instant Print Film, Sensitized, Unexposed

In 2022, after three years of growth, there was decline in production of photographic plates and film, photographic paper, paperboard and textiles and instant print film, sensitized, unexposed, when its volume decreased by -0.5% to 2.3B square meters. In general, production saw a mild shrinkage. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2017 with an increase of 21%. Global production peaked at 2.7B square meters in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, production remained at a lower figure.

In value terms, photographic film production reduced to $13B in 2022 estimated in export price. Over the period under review, production showed a noticeable descent. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2021 when the production volume increased by 13%. Global production peaked at $18B 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 China (688M square meters), the United States (520M square meters) and Germany (233M square meters), together comprising 62% of global production. Japan, the Netherlands, Belgium, France, the UK and Mexico lagged somewhat behind, together accounting for a further 25%.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of production, amongst the main producing countries, was attained by Mexico (with a CAGR of +3.5%), while production for the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Imports

World Imports of Photographic Plates And Film, Photographic Paper, Paperboard And Textiles And Instant Print Film, Sensitized, Unexposed

In 2022, purchases abroad of photographic plates and film, photographic paper, paperboard and textiles and instant print film, sensitized, unexposed increased by 23% to 1.5B square meters, rising for the second consecutive year after two years of decline. In general, imports recorded a relatively flat trend pattern. As a result, imports reached the peak and are likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

In value terms, photographic film imports expanded slightly to $6.6B in 2022. Overall, imports, however, saw a pronounced decrease. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2021 with an increase of 17%. Over the period under review, global imports attained the maximum at $8.7B in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, imports failed to regain momentum.

Imports By Country

The United States was the largest importer of photographic plates and film, photographic paper, paperboard and textiles and instant print film, sensitized, unexposed in the world, with the volume of imports resulting at 498M square meters, which was near 32% of total imports in 2022. China (171M square meters) held the second position in the ranking, followed by South Korea (80M square meters). All these countries together took near 16% share of total imports. Belgium (67M square meters), Thailand (65M square meters), Taiwan (Chinese) (51M square meters), Germany (47M square meters), the Netherlands (34M square meters), Italy (31M square meters), the UK (28M square meters), India (27M square meters), Spain (24M square meters) and Turkey (23M square meters) held a relatively small share of total imports.

The United States was also the fastest-growing in terms of the photographic plates and film, photographic paper, paperboard and textiles and instant print film, sensitized, unexposed imports, with a CAGR of +20.9% from 2012 to 2022. At the same time, Thailand (+14.3%), China (+4.0%) and the Netherlands (+1.8%) displayed positive paces of growth. South Korea, Belgium, Spain and Taiwan (Chinese) experienced a relatively flat trend pattern. By contrast, Turkey (-2.9%), Italy (-4.7%), the UK (-5.0%), Germany (-7.6%) and India (-12.3%) illustrated a downward trend over the same period. From 2012 to 2022, the share of the United States, China and Thailand increased by +27, +3.2 and +3.1 percentage points, respectively. The shares of the other countries remained relatively stable throughout the analyzed period.

In value terms, the largest photographic film importing markets worldwide were China ($1.2B), the United States ($828M) and South Korea ($379M), together comprising 37% of global imports.

China, with a CAGR of +2.8%, recorded the highest rates of growth with regard to the value of imports, among the main importing countries over the period under review, while purchases for the other global leaders experienced a decline in the imports figures.

Imports By Type

Photographic plates and film in the flat, sensitised, unexposed, of any material other than paper, paperboard or textiles; instant print film in the flat, sensitised, unexposed, whether or not in packs (580M square meters) and photographic film in rolls, sensitised, unexposed, of any material other than paper, paperboard or textiles; instant print film in rolls, sensitised, unexposed (567M square meters) represented the main types of photographic plates and film, photographic paper, paperboard and textiles and instant print film, sensitized, unexposed in 2022, recording approx. 43% and 42% of total imports, respectively. It was distantly followed by photographic paper, paperboard and textiles; sensitised, unexposed (202M square meters), making up a 15% share of total imports.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of purchases, amongst the key imported products, was attained by photographic film in rolls, sensitised, unexposed, of any material other than paper, paperboard or textiles; instant print film in rolls, sensitised, unexposed (with a CAGR of +6.9%), while imports for the other products experienced mixed trends in the imports figures.

In value terms, photographic plates and film in the flat, sensitised, unexposed, of any material other than paper, paperboard or textiles; instant print film in the flat, sensitised, unexposed, whether or not in packs ($4.6B) constitutes the largest type of photographic plates and film, photographic paper, paperboard and textiles and instant print film, sensitized, unexposed imported worldwide, comprising 70% of global imports. The second position in the ranking was taken by photographic film in rolls, sensitised, unexposed, of any material other than paper, paperboard or textiles; instant print film in rolls, sensitised, unexposed ($1.6B), with a 24% share of global imports.

For photographic plates and film in the flat, sensitised, unexposed, of any material other than paper, paperboard or textiles; instant print film in the flat, sensitised, unexposed, whether or not in packs, imports decreased by an average annual rate of -1.3% over the period from 2012-2022. For the other products, the average annual rates were as follows: photographic film in rolls, sensitised, unexposed, of any material other than paper, paperboard or textiles; instant print film in rolls, sensitised, unexposed (-3.2% per year) and photographic paper, paperboard and textiles; sensitised, unexposed (-10.5% per year).

Import Prices By Type

The average photographic film import price stood at $4.3 per square meter in 2022, waning by -16.3% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the import price showed a noticeable downturn. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2021 an increase of 7.1% against the previous year. Global import price peaked at $6.2 per square meter in 2014; however, from 2015 to 2022, import prices remained at a lower figure.

Prices varied noticeably by the product type; the product with the highest price was photographic plates and film in the flat, sensitised, unexposed, of any material other than paper, paperboard or textiles; instant print film in the flat, sensitised, unexposed, whether or not in packs ($8 per square meter), while the price for photographic paper, paperboard and textiles; sensitised, unexposed ($2 per square meter) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by photographic paper, paperboard and textiles; sensitised, unexposed (+0.4%), while the other products experienced a decline in the import price figures.

Import Prices By Country

The average photographic film import price stood at $4.3 per square meter in 2022, declining by -16.3% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the import price continues to indicate a pronounced reduction. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2021 an increase of 7.1% against the previous year. Global import price peaked at $6.2 per square meter in 2014; however, from 2015 to 2022, import prices remained at a lower figure.

There were significant differences in the average prices amongst the major importing countries. In 2022, amid the top importers, the country with the highest price was Taiwan (Chinese) ($7.3 per square meter), while Thailand ($1.1 per square meter) was amongst the lowest.

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

Exports

World Exports of Photographic Plates And Film, Photographic Paper, Paperboard And Textiles And Instant Print Film, Sensitized, Unexposed

In 2022, the amount of photographic plates and film, photographic paper, paperboard and textiles and instant print film, sensitized, unexposed exported worldwide expanded to 1.7B square meters, with an increase of 3.4% compared with the previous year's figure. In general, total exports indicated a tangible expansion from 2012 to 2022: its volume increased at an average annual rate of +2.8% over the last decade. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2022 figures, exports increased by +112.6% against 2016 indices. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2017 when exports increased by 47% against the previous year. The global exports peaked in 2022 and are expected to retain growth in the immediate term.

In value terms, photographic film exports reached $6.5B in 2022. Over the period under review, exports, however, saw a pronounced decrease. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2021 when exports increased by 17% against the previous year. The global exports peaked at $9B in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, the exports failed to regain momentum.

Exports By Country

The United States (537M square meters) and China (449M square meters) represented roughly 57% of total exports in 2022. The Netherlands (179M square meters) held the next position in the ranking, followed by Germany (166M square meters), Japan (147M square meters) and Belgium (118M square meters). All these countries together took near 35% share of total exports. Malaysia (31M square meters) followed a long way behind the leaders.

From 2012 to 2022, the biggest increases were recorded for the United States (with a CAGR of +17.9%), while shipments for the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, the largest photographic film supplying countries worldwide were Japan ($1.4B), China ($1.2B) and the United States ($995M), together accounting for 55% of global exports.

Among the main exporting countries, China, with a CAGR of +4.0%, saw the highest growth rate of the value of exports, over the period under review, while shipments for the other global leaders experienced mixed trends in the exports figures.

Exports By Type

Photographic plates and film in the flat, sensitised, unexposed, of any material other than paper, paperboard or textiles; instant print film in the flat, sensitised, unexposed, whether or not in packs (652M square meters) and photographic film in rolls, sensitised, unexposed, of any material other than paper, paperboard or textiles; instant print film in rolls, sensitised, unexposed (603M square meters) represented roughly 85% of total exports in 2022. It was distantly followed by photographic paper, paperboard and textiles; sensitised, unexposed (216M square meters), mixing up a 15% share of total exports.

From 2012 to 2022, the biggest increases were recorded for photographic film in rolls, sensitised, unexposed, of any material other than paper, paperboard or textiles; instant print film in rolls, sensitised, unexposed (with a CAGR of +11.6%), while shipments for the other products experienced a decline in the exports figures.

In value terms, photographic plates and film in the flat, sensitised, unexposed, of any material other than paper, paperboard or textiles; instant print film in the flat, sensitised, unexposed, whether or not in packs ($4.5B) remains the largest type of photographic plates and film, photographic paper, paperboard and textiles and instant print film, sensitized, unexposed supplied worldwide, comprising 70% of global exports. The second position in the ranking was held by photographic film in rolls, sensitised, unexposed, of any material other than paper, paperboard or textiles; instant print film in rolls, sensitised, unexposed ($1.5B), with a 23% share of global exports.

For photographic plates and film in the flat, sensitised, unexposed, of any material other than paper, paperboard or textiles; instant print film in the flat, sensitised, unexposed, whether or not in packs, exports declined by an average annual rate of -2.1% over the period from 2012-2022. With regard to the other exported products, the following average annual rates of growth were recorded: photographic film in rolls, sensitised, unexposed, of any material other than paper, paperboard or textiles; instant print film in rolls, sensitised, unexposed (-3.7% per year) and photographic paper, paperboard and textiles; sensitised, unexposed (-9.5% per year).

Export Prices By Type

The average photographic film export price stood at $3.8 per square meter in 2022, declining by -2.3% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the export price recorded a deep slump. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2016 an increase of 27%. As a result, the export price reached the peak level of $7.7 per square meter. From 2017 to 2022, the average export prices remained at a somewhat lower figure.

There were significant differences in the average prices amongst the major exported products. In 2022, the product with the highest price was photographic plates and film in the flat, sensitised, unexposed, of any material other than paper, paperboard or textiles; instant print film in the flat, sensitised, unexposed, whether or not in packs ($6.9 per square meter), while the average price for exports of photographic paper, paperboard and textiles; sensitised, unexposed ($2.1 per square meter) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by photographic paper, paperboard and textiles; sensitised, unexposed (-0.6%), while the other products experienced a decline in the export price figures.

Export Prices By Country

In 2022, the average photographic film export price amounted to $3.8 per square meter, dropping by -2.3% against the previous year. Overall, the export price saw a deep downturn. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2016 an increase of 27%. As a result, the export price reached the peak level of $7.7 per square meter. From 2017 to 2022, the average export prices remained at a lower figure.

Prices varied noticeably by country of origin: amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was Japan ($9.6 per square meter), while the United States ($1.9 per square meter) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by the Netherlands (+0.3%), while the other global leaders experienced a decline in the export price figures.

Source: IndexBox Market Intelligence Platform