Primary Cell and Battery Market

The article provides detailed insights into the global primary cell and battery market, forecasting a steady growth in both volume and value over the next eight years. Analysis includes consumption trends, market performance, production figures, import and export statistics, and key players in the market. The data highlights China's dominance in production and exports, as well as the significant role of countries like the United States, Germany, and Belgium in consumption and importation. Various types of primary cells and batteries are examined, with a focus on trends in pricing and growth rates. Overall, the article offers a comprehensive overview of the primary cell and battery market, with valuable information for industry stakeholders and investors.

Market Forecast

Driven by increasing demand for primary cells and batteries worldwide, the market is expected to continue an upward consumption trend over the next eight-year period. Market performance is forecast to decelerate, expanding with an anticipated CAGR of +0.4% for the period from 2022 to 2030, which is projected to bring the market volume to 51B units by the end of 2030.

In value terms, the market is forecast to increase with an anticipated CAGR of +4.2% for the period from 2022 to 2030, which is projected to bring the market value to $42.1B (in nominal prices) by the end of 2030.

Consumption

World Consumption of Primary Cells and Batteries

In 2022, approx. 49B units of primary cells and batteries were consumed worldwide; picking up by 2.6% on 2021. The total consumption volume increased at an average annual rate of +2.3% over the period from 2012 to 2022; however, the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded in certain years. Global consumption peaked in 2022 and is likely to see steady growth in the near future.

The global primary cell and battery market size fell modestly to $30.3B in 2022, shrinking by -2.7% 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 slight downturn. Over the period under review, the global market attained the peak level at $40.7B in 2015; however, from 2016 to 2022, consumption remained at a lower figure.

Consumption By Country

The countries with the highest volumes of consumption in 2022 were China (10B units), the United States (6.6B units) and Germany (4.3B units), with a combined 43% share of global consumption. Japan, Brazil, Russia, Mexico, Thailand, the Netherlands, South Korea, Saudi Arabia, Belgium and Poland lagged somewhat behind, together comprising a further 24%.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of consumption, amongst the leading consuming countries, was attained by Belgium (with a CAGR of +18.7%), while consumption for the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, Mexico ($2.9B), South Korea ($1.7B) and the United States ($1.5B) were the countries with the highest levels of market value in 2022, with a combined 20% share of the global market. China, Germany, Saudi Arabia, the Netherlands, Japan, Belgium, Russia, Brazil, Poland and Thailand lagged somewhat behind, together comprising a further 14%.

Belgium, with a CAGR of +20.1%, recorded the highest rates of growth with regard to 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 primary cell and battery per capita consumption in 2022 were Belgium (66 units per person), the Netherlands (60 units per person) and Germany (52 units per person).

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of consumption, amongst the leading consuming countries, was attained by Belgium (with a CAGR of +18.2%), while consumption for the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Production

World Production of Primary Cells and Batteries

In 2022, global primary cell and battery production reached 65B units, picking up by 3.7% on 2021. Overall, the total production indicated a measured expansion from 2012 to 2022: its volume increased at an average annual rate of +2.3% 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 +103.1% against 2017 indices. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2018 with an increase of 79%. Global production peaked in 2022 and is expected to retain growth in the immediate term.

In value terms, primary cell and battery production declined to $27.7B in 2022 estimated in export price. Over the period under review, production saw a relatively flat trend pattern. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2018 with an increase of 17% against the previous year. Global production peaked at $33.2B in 2015; however, from 2016 to 2022, production stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Production By Country

China (38B units) remains the largest primary cell and battery producing country worldwide, accounting for 59% of total volume. Moreover, primary cell and battery production in China exceeded the figures recorded by the second-largest producer, Germany (4.7B units), eightfold. The third position in this ranking was taken by the United States (2.5B units), with a 3.8% share.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual growth rate of volume in China stood at +1.5%. In the other countries, the average annual rates were as follows: Germany (+15.6% per year) and the United States (-5.9% per year).

Imports

World Imports of Primary Cells and Batteries

In 2022, overseas purchases of primary cells and batteries decreased by -6.9% to 32B units for the first time since 2019, thus ending a two-year rising trend. The total import volume increased at an average annual rate of +1.7% 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 2020 with an increase of 13% against the previous year. Over the period under review, global imports hit record highs at 35B units in 2021, and then shrank in the following year.

In value terms, primary cell and battery imports expanded to $9.6B in 2022. The total import value increased at an average annual rate of +2.4% over the period from 2012 to 2022; however, the trend pattern remained consistent, with somewhat noticeable fluctuations in certain years. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2021 with an increase of 8.9% against the previous year. Global imports peaked in 2022 and are expected to retain growth in the immediate term.

Imports By Country

In 2022, the United States (4.7B units), distantly followed by Hong Kong SAR (2.4B units), Japan (2B units) and Germany (1.9B units) represented the largest importers of primary cells and batteries, together creating 34% of total imports. The following importers - Russia (1,196M units), China (1,190M units), Poland (1,141M units), Belgium (1,030M units), the Netherlands (914M units), the UK (865M units), the United Arab Emirates (691M units), France (690M units) and India (687M units) - together made up 26% of total imports.

From 2012 to 2022, the biggest increases were recorded for Poland (with a CAGR of +15.1%), while purchases for the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, the United States ($1.1B), Germany ($625M) and Hong Kong SAR ($387M) appeared to be the countries with the highest levels of imports in 2022, with a combined 22% share of global imports. China, the Netherlands, the UK, Belgium, France, Poland, Japan, Russia, the United Arab Emirates and India lagged somewhat behind, together comprising a further 25%.

Among the main importing countries, Poland, with a CAGR of +13.8%, saw the highest growth rate of the value of imports, over the period under review, while purchases for the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Imports By Type

In 2022, cells and batteries; primary, manganese dioxide (23B units) represented the main type of primary cells and batteries, constituting 69% of total imports. It was distantly followed by cells and batteries; lithium (5.3B units), cells and batteries; primary, air-zinc (1.9B units) and cells and batteries; primary, (other than manganese dioxide, mercuric oxide, silver oxide, lithium or air-zinc) (1.8B units), together creating a 27% share of total imports. Cells and batteries; primary, silver oxide (1.2B units) held a minor share of total imports.

From 2012 to 2022, average annual rates of growth with regard to cells and batteries; primary, manganese dioxide imports of stood at +1.4%. At the same time, cells and batteries; primary, air-zinc (+11.1%), cells and batteries; lithium (+7.1%) and cells and batteries; primary, silver oxide (+1.2%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, cells and batteries; primary, air-zinc emerged as the fastest-growing type imported in the world, with a CAGR of +11.1% from 2012-2022. By contrast, cells and batteries; primary, (other than manganese dioxide, mercuric oxide, silver oxide, lithium or air-zinc) (-3.4%) illustrated a downward trend over the same period. Cells and batteries; lithium (+6 p.p.) and cells and batteries; primary, air-zinc (+3.3 p.p.) significantly strengthened its position in terms of the global imports, while cells and batteries; primary, (other than manganese dioxide, mercuric oxide, silver oxide, lithium or air-zinc) and cells and batteries; primary, manganese dioxide saw its share reduced by -4.1% and -4.8% from 2012 to 2022, respectively. The shares of the other products remained relatively stable throughout the analyzed period.

In value terms, cells and batteries; lithium ($4.1B), cells and batteries; primary, manganese dioxide ($4B) and cells and batteries; primary, (other than manganese dioxide, mercuric oxide, silver oxide, lithium or air-zinc) ($967M) were the products with the highest levels of imports in 2022, with a combined 94% share of global imports.

Among the main imported products, cells and batteries; lithium, with a CAGR of +5.5%, recorded the highest rates of growth with regard to the value of imports, over the period under review, while purchases for the other products experienced more modest paces of growth.

Import Prices By Type

The average primary cell and battery import price stood at $0.3 per unit in 2022, picking up by 12% against the previous year. In general, the import price showed a relatively flat trend pattern. As a result, import price reached the peak level and is likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

Prices varied noticeably by the product type; the product with the highest price was cells and batteries; primary, mercuric oxide ($1.3 per unit), while the price for cells and batteries; primary, air-zinc ($0.2 per unit) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by cells and batteries; primary, mercuric oxide (+10.1%), while the other products experienced mixed trends in the import price figures.

Import Prices By Country

In 2022, the average primary cell and battery import price amounted to $0.3 per unit, surging by 12% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the import price recorded a relatively flat trend pattern. As a result, import 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 importing countries. In 2022, amid the top importers, the country with the highest price was France ($0.4 per unit), while India ($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 the United Arab Emirates (+9.3%), while the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Exports

World Exports of Primary Cells and Batteries

In 2022, after five years of growth, there was decline in shipments abroad of primary cells and batteries, when their volume decreased by -2.7% to 48B units. Over the period under review, total exports indicated a slight expansion from 2012 to 2022: its volume increased at an average annual rate of +1.9% over the last decade. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2018 when exports increased by 67% against the previous year. The global exports peaked at 49B units in 2021, and then shrank modestly in the following year.

In value terms, primary cell and battery exports stood at $8.7B in 2022. The total export value increased at an average annual rate of +2.1% over the period from 2012 to 2022; however, the trend pattern remained relatively stable, with somewhat noticeable fluctuations being observed in certain years. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2021 when exports increased by 8.5% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the global exports reached the peak figure in 2022 and are expected to retain growth in years to come.

Exports By Country

China prevails in exports structure, accounting for 29B units, which was near 61% of total exports in 2022. Belgium (2.4B units) took the second position in the ranking, followed by Germany (2.3B units) and Singapore (2.2B units). All these countries together held approx. 14% share of total exports. The following exporters - Hong Kong SAR (2B units), Poland (1.7B units), Indonesia (1.5B units) and Japan (1.3B units) - together made up 13% of total exports.

Exports from China increased at an average annual rate of +1.1% from 2012 to 2022. At the same time, Poland (+15.4%), Indonesia (+14.3%), Singapore (+13.1%), Germany (+12.3%) and Japan (+3.5%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, Poland emerged as the fastest-growing exporter exported in the world, with a CAGR of +15.4% from 2012-2022. Belgium experienced a relatively flat trend pattern. By contrast, Hong Kong SAR (-6.2%) illustrated a downward trend over the same period. From 2012 to 2022, the share of Germany, Singapore, Poland and Indonesia increased by +3, +2.9, +2.6 and +2.1 percentage points, respectively. The shares of the other countries remained relatively stable throughout the analyzed period.

In value terms, China ($2.4B) remains the largest primary cell and battery supplier worldwide, comprising 27% of global exports. The second position in the ranking was held by Singapore ($661M), with a 7.6% share of global exports. It was followed by Germany, with a 6.7% share.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual rate of growth in terms of value in China amounted to +2.4%. In the other countries, the average annual rates were as follows: Singapore (+1.1% per year) and Germany (+11.3% per year).

Exports By Type

Cells and batteries; primary, manganese dioxide prevails in exports structure, finishing at 39B units, which was approx. 81% of total exports in 2022. It was distantly followed by cells and batteries; lithium (4.5B units) and cells and batteries; primary, air-zinc (2.7B units), together mixing up a 15% share of total exports. Cells and batteries; primary, silver oxide (1.3B units) followed a long way behind the leaders.

From 2012 to 2022, average annual rates of growth with regard to cells and batteries; primary, manganese dioxide exports of stood at +1.4%. At the same time, cells and batteries; primary, air-zinc (+10.0%), cells and batteries; lithium (+7.9%) and cells and batteries; primary, silver oxide (+1.7%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, cells and batteries; primary, air-zinc emerged as the fastest-growing type exported in the world, with a CAGR of +10.0% from 2012-2022. While the share of cells and batteries; lithium (+4.1 p.p.) and cells and batteries; primary, air-zinc (+3 p.p.) increased significantly in terms of the global exports from 2012-2022, the share of cells and batteries; primary, manganese dioxide (-4.3 p.p.) displayed negative dynamics. The shares of the other products remained relatively stable throughout the analyzed period.

In value terms, cells and batteries; primary, manganese dioxide ($4.2B), cells and batteries; lithium ($3.3B) and cells and batteries; primary, (other than manganese dioxide, mercuric oxide, silver oxide, lithium or air-zinc) ($594M) were the products with the highest levels of exports in 2022, together comprising 93% of global exports. Cells and batteries; primary, air-zinc, cells and batteries; primary, silver oxide and cells and batteries; primary, mercuric oxide lagged somewhat behind, together accounting for a further 7.2%.

Cells and batteries; primary, air-zinc, with a CAGR of +5.3%, saw the highest rates of growth with regard to the value of exports, among the main exported products over the period under review, while shipments for the other products experienced more modest paces of growth.

Export Prices By Type

In 2022, the average primary cell and battery export price amounted to $0.2 per unit, growing by 3.2% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the export price recorded a relatively flat trend pattern. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2015 an increase of 52% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the average export prices reached the maximum at $0.3 per unit in 2016; however, from 2017 to 2022, the export prices stood 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 cells and batteries; primary, (other than manganese dioxide, mercuric oxide, silver oxide, lithium or air-zinc) ($1.2 per unit), while the average price for exports of cells and batteries; primary, manganese dioxide ($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 cells and batteries; primary, (other than manganese dioxide, mercuric oxide, silver oxide, lithium or air-zinc) (+9.7%), while the other products experienced mixed trends in the export price figures.

Export Prices By Country

The average primary cell and battery export price stood at $0.2 per unit in 2022, surging by 3.2% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the export price showed a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2015 when the average export price increased by 52%. Over the period under review, the average export prices attained the peak figure at $0.3 per unit in 2016; however, from 2017 to 2022, the export prices remained at a lower figure.

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 Indonesia ($0.3 per unit), while China ($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 (+3.7%), while the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Market Intelligence Platform