Ball Pen Refill Market

The global market for ball pen refills is projected to grow steadily over the next eight years, with a forecasted increase in volume and value. Italy stands out with high per capita consumption and production rates, while China and India lead in exports and imports. Global production has shown significant growth, with noticeable fluctuations over the years. The average import price dropped in 2022, while the export price declined slightly. Overall, the market is expected to show continued growth in the near future.

Market Forecast

Driven by increasing demand for refills for ball-point pens worldwide, the market is expected to continue an upward consumption trend over the next eight years. Market performance is forecast to decelerate, expanding with an anticipated CAGR of +3.0% for the period from 2022 to 2030, which is projected to bring the market volume to 27B units by the end of 2030.

In value terms, the market is forecast to increase with an anticipated CAGR of +4.1% for the period from 2022 to 2030, which is projected to bring the market value to $266.1B (in nominal prices) by the end of 2030.

Consumption

World Consumption of Refills For Ball-Point Pens

In 2022, consumption of refills for ball-point pens increased by 6.7% to 21B units, rising for the second year in a row after two years of decline. Overall, the total consumption indicated a buoyant expansion from 2012 to 2022: its volume increased at an average annual rate of +5.7% 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 +18.2% against 2020 indices. Global consumption peaked in 2022 and is expected to retain growth in years to come.

The global ball pen refill market size dropped to $192.8B in 2022, shrinking by -5.4% 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 recorded a relatively flat trend pattern. Global consumption peaked at $234.6B in 2018; however, from 2019 to 2022, consumption failed to regain momentum.

Consumption By Country

The countries with the highest volumes of consumption in 2022 were India (4.2B units), China (3.8B units) and Italy (2.8B units), with a combined 50% share of global consumption.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of consumption, amongst the leading consuming countries, was attained by Italy (with a CAGR of +21.1%), while consumption for the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, Russia ($187.1B) led the market, alone. The second position in the ranking was taken by the United States ($1.7B). It was followed by Japan.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual growth rate of value in Russia was relatively modest. In the other countries, the average annual rates were as follows: the United States (+8.0% per year) and Japan (+6.8% per year).

In 2022, the highest levels of ball pen refill per capita consumption was registered in Italy (48 units per person), followed by the UK (8.9 units per person), France (8.2 units per person) and the United States (7.7 units per person), while the world average per capita consumption of ball pen refill was estimated at 2.7 units per person.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual growth rate of the ball pen refill per capita consumption in Italy stood at +21.2%. The remaining consuming countries recorded the following average annual rates of per capita consumption growth: the UK (+6.4% per year) and France (+4.2% per year).

Production

World Production of Refills For Ball-Point Pens

Global ball pen refill production expanded remarkably to 21B units in 2022, picking up by 6.2% on 2021. Overall, the total production indicated a remarkable increase from 2012 to 2022: its volume increased at an average annual rate of +5.8% 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 +77.2% against 2013 indices. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2014 when the production volume increased by 15%. Over the period under review, global production reached the maximum volume in 2022 and is likely to continue growth in the near future.

In value terms, ball pen refill production declined slightly to $181.6B in 2022 estimated in export price. Over the period under review, production continues to indicate a relatively flat trend pattern. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2014 with an increase of 33% against the previous year. Global production peaked at $224.8B in 2017; however, from 2018 to 2022, production failed to regain momentum.

Production By Country

The countries with the highest volumes of production in 2022 were India (4.5B units), China (4.4B units) and Italy (2.8B units), together comprising 55% of global production.

From 2012 to 2022, the biggest increases were recorded for Italy (with a CAGR of +20.4%), while production for the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Imports

World Imports of Refills For Ball-Point Pens

In 2022, the amount of refills for ball-point pens imported worldwide soared to 1.8B units, jumping by 15% on 2021. Over the period under review, imports recorded a relatively flat trend pattern. Over the period under review, global imports reached the maximum at 1.9B units in 2019; however, from 2020 to 2022, imports failed to regain momentum.

In value terms, ball pen refill imports dropped modestly to $190M in 2022. The total import value increased at an average annual rate of +2.2% from 2012 to 2022; the trend pattern remained consistent, with somewhat noticeable fluctuations being recorded in certain years. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2021 when imports increased by 17% against the previous year. As a result, imports reached the peak of $196M, and then reduced slightly in the following year.

Imports By Country

In 2022, the United States (286M units), followed by India (183M units), Pakistan (163M units), China (154M units), Turkey (133M units), Canada (129M units), Tunisia (99M units) and Belarus (97M units) were the major importers of refills for ball-point pens, together creating 70% of total imports. Russia (49M units), Japan (43M units), France (39M units), Thailand (37M units) and Brazil (35M units) held a little share of total imports.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of purchases, amongst the key importing countries, was attained by Tunisia (with a CAGR of +48.4%), while imports for the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, the largest ball pen refill importing markets worldwide were France ($29M), China ($23M) and the United States ($13M), with a combined 34% share of global imports. India, Tunisia, Japan, Pakistan, Russia, Turkey, Thailand, Canada, Brazil and Belarus lagged somewhat behind, together accounting for a further 13%.

Tunisia, with a CAGR of +51.1%, saw the highest growth rate of the value of imports, among the main importing countries over the period under review, while purchases for the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Import Prices By Country

The average ball pen refill import price stood at $0.1 per unit in 2022, dropping by -15.8% against the previous year. Over the last decade, it increased at an average annual rate of +1.5%. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2020 when the average import price increased by 24% against the previous year. Global import price peaked at $0.1 per unit in 2021, and then dropped significantly in the following year.

Prices varied noticeably by country of destination: amid the top importers, the country with the highest price was France ($0.7 per unit), while Belarus (less than $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 China (+7.9%), while the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Exports

World Exports of Refills For Ball-Point Pens

Global ball pen refill exports expanded sharply to 1.6B units in 2022, growing by 8.5% on the previous year. In general, exports continue to indicate a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2020 with an increase of 332% against the previous year. As a result, the exports attained the peak of 4.2B units. From 2021 to 2022, the growth of the global exports failed to regain momentum.

In value terms, ball pen refill exports stood at $232M in 2022. The total export value increased at an average annual rate of +3.4% from 2012 to 2022; however, the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded in certain years. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2021 with an increase of 32%. The global exports peaked in 2022 and are likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

Exports By Country

China (776M units) and India (527M units) prevails in exports structure, together mixing up 83% of total exports. It was distantly followed by Japan (93M units), comprising a 5.9% share of total exports. France (41M units) and Belarus (28M units) took a little share of total exports.

From 2012 to 2022, the biggest increases were recorded for Belarus (with a CAGR of +118.6%), while shipments for the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, Japan ($84M), China ($57M) and France ($23M) constituted the countries with the highest levels of exports in 2022, together accounting for 71% of global exports. India and Belarus lagged somewhat behind, together comprising a further 4.7%.

Belarus, with a CAGR of +34.0%, saw the highest growth rate of the value of exports, among the main exporting countries over the period under review, while shipments for the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Export Prices By Country

The average ball pen refill export price stood at $0.1 per unit in 2022, declining by -4.8% against the previous year. Overall, the export price, however, showed a notable increase. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2021 an increase of 282%. Over the period under review, the average export prices reached the peak figure at $0.3 per unit in 2017; however, from 2018 to 2022, the 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 ($0.9 per unit), while Belarus (less than $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 France (+16.4%), while the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Market Intelligence Platform