Matches Market

The article discusses the projected growth in the global matches market, with consumption expected to increase with a CAGR of +0.0% in volume and +2.9% in value from 2022 to 2030. The top consuming countries in 2022 were China, the United States, and Russia, while India, Brazil, and Nigeria showed notable growth rates. Production and import trends were also analyzed, with Kenya and South Africa showing significant increases in production and imports. The article also examines export trends, with India emerging as a major exporter of matches. Overall, the global matches market is predicted to continue on an upward trajectory in the coming years.

Market Forecast

Driven by increasing demand for matches worldwide, the market is expected to continue an upward consumption trend over the next eight-year period. Market performance is forecast to retain its current trend pattern, expanding with an anticipated CAGR of +0.0% for the period from 2022 to 2030, which is projected to bring the market volume to 270K tons by the end of 2030.

In value terms, the market is forecast to increase with an anticipated CAGR of +2.9% for the period from 2022 to 2030, which is projected to bring the market value to $834M (in nominal prices) by the end of 2030.

Consumption

World Consumption of Matches

In 2022, global matches consumption expanded notably to 270K tons, growing by 10% against the previous year. Overall, consumption showed a relatively flat trend pattern. As a result, consumption attained the peak volume and is likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

The global matches market revenue expanded to $663M in 2022, increasing by 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). In general, consumption showed a relatively flat trend pattern. Global consumption peaked in 2022 and is likely to continue growth in years to come.

Consumption By Country

The countries with the highest volumes of consumption in 2022 were China (39K tons), the United States (27K tons) and Russia (26K tons), with a combined 34% share of global consumption. India, Pakistan, Germany, Indonesia, Ghana, Brazil, Nigeria, Mexico and Tanzania lagged somewhat behind, together comprising a further 26%.

From 2012 to 2022, the biggest increases were recorded for Pakistan (with a CAGR of +9.9%), while consumption for the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, the largest matches markets worldwide were China ($97M), the United States ($70M) and Germany ($45M), with a combined 32% share of the global market. India, Brazil, Pakistan, Mexico, Indonesia, Ghana, Nigeria, Tanzania and Russia lagged somewhat behind, together comprising a further 17%.

Tanzania, with a CAGR of +7.9%, 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 matches per capita consumption in 2022 were Ghana (194 kg per 1000 persons), Russia (179 kg per 1000 persons) and Germany (100 kg per 1000 persons).

From 2012 to 2022, the biggest increases were recorded for Russia (with a CAGR of +9.7%), while consumption for the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Production

World Production of Matches

In 2022, the amount of matches produced worldwide totaled 276K tons, picking up by 11% on 2021. Overall, production saw a relatively flat trend pattern. As a result, production attained the peak volume and is likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

In value terms, matches production reached $640M in 2022 estimated in export price. Over the period under review, production showed a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2015 with an increase of 6.2% against the previous year. Global production peaked at $648M in 2020; however, from 2021 to 2022, production failed to regain momentum.

Production By Country

The countries with the highest volumes of production in 2022 were India (57K tons), China (41K tons) and Russia (31K tons), together comprising 47% of global production. The United States, Pakistan, Indonesia, Brazil, Germany, Sweden, Kenya and Mexico lagged somewhat behind, together comprising a further 30%.

From 2012 to 2022, the biggest increases were recorded for Kenya (with a CAGR of +42.4%), while production for the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Imports

World Imports of Matches

Global matches imports fell to 85K tons in 2022, dropping by -9.2% compared with the previous year. Overall, imports continue to indicate a perceptible decrease. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2021 with an increase of 8.5%. Over the period under review, global imports reached the peak figure at 118K tons in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2022, imports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

In value terms, matches imports rose to $197M in 2022. In general, imports recorded a mild setback. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2021 when imports increased by 15%. Over the period under review, global imports reached the maximum at $242M in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2022, imports failed to regain momentum.

Imports By Country

The purchases of the three major importers of matches, namely Ghana, Nigeria and Tanzania, represented more than 0.0% of total import. Angola (2.8K tons), Germany (2.7K tons), South Africa (2.4K tons), Kazakhstan (2.3K tons), the United States (2.2K tons), Kenya (2K tons), Sudan (1.9K tons), Romania (1.8K tons), France (1.8K tons) and Democratic Republic of the Congo (1.8K tons) took a little share of total imports.

From 2012 to 2022, the biggest increases were recorded for South Africa (with a CAGR of +18.4%), while purchases for the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, the largest matches importing markets worldwide were the United States ($17M), Germany ($11M) and Ghana ($8.7M), with a combined 19% share of global imports.

The United States, with a CAGR of +11.6%, saw 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

The average matches import price stood at $2,315 per ton in 2022, with an increase of 13% against the previous year. Over the last decade, it increased at an average annual rate of +1.5%. As a result, import price reached 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 the United States ($7,880 per ton), while South Africa ($656 per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by the United States (+15.9%), while the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Exports

World Exports of Matches

Global matches exports declined to 92K tons in 2022, falling by -6.4% compared with the previous year. In general, exports showed a slight decline. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2013 with an increase of 8.4%. As a result, the exports attained the peak of 119K tons. From 2014 to 2022, the growth of the global exports remained at a somewhat lower figure.

In value terms, matches exports totaled $199M in 2022. Overall, exports recorded a perceptible curtailment. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2021 with an increase of 14%. The global exports peaked at $261M in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2022, the exports remained at a lower figure.

Exports By Country

India represented the major exporting country with an export of about 39K tons, which accounted for 42% of total exports. It was distantly followed by Sweden (5.9K tons), Pakistan (5.6K tons), Kenya (5.5K tons), Russia (5.2K tons) and Indonesia (4.7K tons), together achieving a 29% share of total exports. South Africa (3.4K tons), Belarus (2.8K tons), Brazil (2.4K tons), Guatemala (2.3K tons), China (2K tons) and Chile (1.4K tons) followed a long way behind the leaders.

Exports from India increased at an average annual rate of +1.2% from 2012 to 2022. At the same time, Kenya (+62.9%) and Chile (+8.0%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, Kenya emerged as the fastest-growing exporter exported in the world, with a CAGR of +62.9% from 2012-2022. Guatemala and Brazil experienced a relatively flat trend pattern. By contrast, China (-4.3%), Sweden (-4.4%), Russia (-5.2%), Pakistan (-6.4%), South Africa (-7.0%), Indonesia (-7.7%) and Belarus (-8.0%) illustrated a downward trend over the same period. While the share of India (+11 p.p.) and Kenya (+5.9 p.p.) increased significantly in terms of the global exports from 2012-2022, the share of Sweden (-2 p.p.), Russia (-2.4 p.p.), South Africa (-2.7 p.p.), Belarus (-2.9 p.p.), Pakistan (-3.8 p.p.) and Indonesia (-4.3 p.p.) displayed negative dynamics. The shares of the other countries remained relatively stable throughout the analyzed period.

In value terms, India ($58M) remains the largest matches supplier worldwide, comprising 29% of global exports. The second position in the ranking was held by Sweden ($26M), with a 13% share of global exports. It was followed by Pakistan, with a 6.5% share.

In India, matches exports remained relatively stable over the period from 2012-2022. In the other countries, the average annual rates were as follows: Sweden (-3.7% per year) and Pakistan (-7.1% per year).

Export Prices By Country

The average matches export price stood at $2,166 per ton in 2022, picking up by 8% against the previous year. Overall, the export price, however, saw a relatively flat trend pattern. Over the period under review, the average export prices reached the maximum at $2,262 per ton in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, the export prices stood at a somewhat 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 Chile ($4,370 per ton), while Belarus ($955 per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by China (+8.0%), while the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Market Intelligence Platform