Gauze Market

The global gauze market is expected to show growth in both volume and value terms over the next several years, with increasing demand worldwide. Consumption of gauze (excluding medical gauze) saw a rise in 2022 after several years of decline, with notable consumption levels in countries like China, India, and the United States. Production and import figures also showed growth, with China leading in production and exports. Despite fluctuations in prices, exports of gauze are expected to continue growing in the near future, reflecting a steady upward trend in the global market.

Market Forecast

Driven by rising demand for gauze worldwide, the market is expected to start an upward consumption trend over the next eight years. The performance of the market is forecast to increase slightly, with an anticipated CAGR of +1.0% for the period from 2022 to 2030, which is projected to bring the market volume to 192M square meters 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 $464M (in nominal prices) by the end of 2030.

Consumption

World Consumption of Gauze (Excluding Medical Gauze)

In 2022, consumption of gauze (excluding medical gauze) increased by 6.1% to 178M square meters, rising for the second year in a row after three years of decline. Over the period under review, consumption, however, recorded a slight setback. Over the period under review, global consumption attained the peak volume at 198M square meters in 2017; however, from 2018 to 2022, consumption failed to regain momentum.

The global gauze market size expanded modestly to $386M in 2022, with an increase of 4.3% 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, recorded a relatively flat trend pattern. Global consumption peaked at $419M in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, consumption stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Consumption By Country

The countries with the highest volumes of consumption in 2022 were China (20M square meters), India (11M square meters) and the United States (9.7M square meters), with a combined 23% share of global consumption. The UK, Germany, Poland, Indonesia, Nigeria, Pakistan, Italy, Belgium, Portugal and Bangladesh lagged somewhat behind, together comprising a further 32%.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of consumption, amongst the leading consuming countries, was attained by the UK (with a CAGR of +27.4%), while consumption for the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, the largest gauze markets worldwide were India ($54M), Pakistan ($50M) and China ($20M), together accounting for 32% of the global market. Italy, Germany, the UK, Bangladesh, Poland, the United States, Indonesia, Belgium, Portugal and Nigeria lagged somewhat behind, together comprising a further 19%.

In terms of the main consuming countries, the UK, with a CAGR of +25.9%, recorded 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 gauze per capita consumption in 2022 were Portugal (393 square meters per 1000 persons), Belgium (351 square meters per 1000 persons) and Poland (192 square meters per 1000 persons).

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of consumption, amongst the leading consuming countries, was attained by the UK (with a CAGR of +27.1%), while consumption for the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Production

World Production of Gauze (Excluding Medical Gauze)

Global gauze production expanded rapidly to 145M square meters in 2022, surging by 5.8% against 2021 figures. In general, production saw a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2019 with an increase of 10% against the previous year. Over the period under review, global production reached the peak volume in 2022 and is expected to retain growth in the near future.

In value terms, gauze production totaled $367M in 2022 estimated in export price. Overall, production, however, continues to indicate a pronounced setback. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2016 when the production volume increased by 3.7% against the previous year. Over the period under review, global production reached the maximum level at $495M in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, production stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Production By Country

The country with the largest volume of gauze production was China (40M square meters), comprising approx. 28% of total volume. Moreover, gauze production in China exceeded the figures recorded by the second-largest producer, Hungary (11M square meters), fourfold. The third position in this ranking was held by India (9.3M square meters), with a 6.5% share.

In China, gauze production increased at an average annual rate of +1.0% over the period from 2012-2022. The remaining producing countries recorded the following average annual rates of production growth: Hungary (+38.6% per year) and India (-0.6% per year).

Imports

World Imports of Gauze (Excluding Medical Gauze)

In 2022, purchases abroad of gauze (excluding medical gauze) increased by 14% to 89M square meters, rising for the second consecutive year after three years of decline. In general, imports, however, recorded a relatively flat trend pattern. Over the period under review, global imports reached the peak figure at 104M square meters in 2017; however, from 2018 to 2022, imports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

In value terms, gauze imports contracted to $75M in 2022. Overall, imports, however, continue to indicate a noticeable decrease. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2021 with an increase of 34%. Global imports peaked at $106M in 2014; however, from 2015 to 2022, imports failed to regain momentum.

Imports By Country

In 2022, the United States (14M square meters), distantly followed by Poland (7.9M square meters), the UK (7.9M square meters), Nigeria (5.9M square meters), Germany (5.8M square meters) and Portugal (4.3M square meters) were the main importers of gauze (excluding medical gauze), together creating 52% of total imports. The following importers - Belgium (3.5M square meters), Indonesia (3.1M square meters), Italy (2.6M square meters), Chile (2.3M square meters), Algeria (2.3M square meters), Japan (2M square meters) and India (1.9M square meters) - together made up 20% of total imports.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of purchases, amongst the main importing countries, was attained by Belgium (with a CAGR of +37.2%), while imports for the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, the largest gauze importing markets worldwide were the United States ($9.2M), Poland ($7.8M) and the UK ($5.3M), together accounting for 30% of global imports. Germany, Japan, Indonesia, India, Portugal, Belgium, Chile, Algeria, Italy and Nigeria lagged somewhat behind, together comprising a further 25%.

Indonesia, with a CAGR of +28.2%, recorded the highest rates of growth with regard to the value of imports, in terms of 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

In 2022, the average gauze import price amounted to $0.8 per square meter, dropping by -18% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the import price showed a slight slump. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2021 when the average import price increased by 27%. Global import price peaked at $1.2 per square meter in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2022, import prices failed to regain momentum.

Prices varied noticeably by country of destination: amid the top importers, the country with the highest price was Japan ($1.4 per square meter), while Nigeria ($0.1 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 (+2.5%), while the other global leaders experienced mixed trends in the import price figures.

Exports

World Exports of Gauze (Excluding Medical Gauze)

In 2022, approx. 57M square meters of gauze (excluding medical gauze) were exported worldwide; rising by 19% compared with 2021 figures. Overall, total exports indicated a tangible expansion from 2012 to 2022: its volume increased at an average annual rate of +4.0% 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 +48.9% against 2020 indices. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2021 with an increase of 25% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the global exports hit record highs in 2022 and are expected to retain growth in the near future.

In value terms, gauze exports rose markedly to $73M in 2022. Over the period under review, total exports indicated a mild expansion from 2012 to 2022: its value increased at an average annual rate of +1.0% 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 +64.4% against 2020 indices. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2021 when exports increased by 43% against the previous year. The global exports peaked in 2022 and are likely to continue growth in the near future.

Exports By Country

China was the largest exporter of gauze (excluding medical gauze) in the world, with the volume of exports amounting to 21M square meters, which was approx. 37% of total exports in 2022. It was distantly followed by Hungary (11M square meters), the United States (4.6M square meters), Germany (3.6M square meters), Japan (3.2M square meters) and Indonesia (2.6M square meters), together generating a 44% share of total exports. Colombia (1.8M square meters) held a minor share of total exports.

From 2012 to 2022, the biggest increases were recorded for Hungary (with a CAGR of +173.0%), while shipments for the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, the largest gauze supplying countries worldwide were Hungary ($21M), China ($12M) and Japan ($9.9M), together accounting for 59% of global exports.

In terms of the main exporting countries, Hungary, with a CAGR of +144.8%, saw the highest growth rate of the value of exports, over the period under review, while shipments for the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Export Prices By Country

The average gauze export price stood at $1.3 per square meter in 2022, with a decrease of -3.6% against the previous year. Overall, the export price recorded a pronounced contraction. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2021 an increase of 15%. Over the period under review, the average export prices hit record highs at $1.8 per square meter in 2014; however, from 2015 to 2022, the export prices stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Prices varied noticeably by country of origin: amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was Japan ($3.1 per square meter), while Indonesia ($0.5 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 United States (-1.4%), while the other global leaders experienced a decline in the export price figures.

Source: IndexBox Market Intelligence Platform