Safety Razor Blade Market

The global safety razor blade market is anticipated to see growth in both consumption and value over the period from 2022 to 2030. Market performance is expected to decelerate, with an estimated CAGR of +1.2% for consumption and +3.7% for value. Consumption increased in 2022 after two years of decline, reaching 170B units. Russia led in both consumption and production, with the largest volumes in both categories. Imports and exports showed fluctuations, with Poland leading in exports and the Netherlands in imports. The market is expected to continue growing, with key countries showing positive trends in both consumption and value.

Market Forecast

Driven by increasing demand for safety razor blades 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 +1.2% for the period from 2022 to 2030, which is projected to bring the market volume to 187B units by the end of 2030.

In value terms, the market is forecast to increase with an anticipated CAGR of +3.7% for the period from 2022 to 2030, which is projected to bring the market value to $23.9B (in nominal prices) by the end of 2030.

Consumption

World Consumption of Safety Razor Blades

In 2022, consumption of safety razor blades increased by 11% to 170B units for the first time since 2019, thus ending a two-year declining trend. Overall, the total consumption indicated a strong increase from 2012 to 2022: its volume increased at an average annual rate of +6.2% over the last decade. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Over the period under review, global consumption attained the peak volume in 2022 and is expected to retain growth in the near future.

The global safety razor blade market value expanded remarkably to $17.9B in 2022, growing by 7.6% 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, the total consumption indicated strong growth from 2012 to 2022: its value increased at an average annual rate of +5.0% over the last decade. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Global consumption peaked in 2022 and is likely to see gradual growth in years to come.

Consumption By Country

The country with the largest volume of safety razor blade consumption was Russia (119B units), comprising approx. 70% of total volume. Moreover, safety razor blade consumption in Russia exceeded the figures recorded by the second-largest consumer, the Netherlands (25B units), fivefold. The third position in this ranking was held by Germany (3.7B units), with a 2.2% share.

In Russia, safety razor blade consumption expanded at an average annual rate of +7.4% over the period from 2012-2022. The remaining consuming countries recorded the following average annual rates of consumption growth: the Netherlands (+9.7% per year) and Germany (+9.8% per year).

In value terms, Russia ($12.6B) led the market, alone. The second position in the ranking was held by the Netherlands ($1.3B). It was followed by Germany.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual rate of growth in terms of value in Russia totaled +7.4%. In the other countries, the average annual rates were as follows: the Netherlands (+6.8% per year) and Germany (+6.4% per year).

The countries with the highest levels of safety razor blade per capita consumption in 2022 were the Netherlands (1,454 units per person), Russia (827 units per person) and Poland (85 units per person).

From 2012 to 2022, the biggest increases were recorded for Germany (with a CAGR of +9.4%), while consumption for the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Production

World Production of Safety Razor Blades

In 2022, approx. 169B units of safety razor blades were produced worldwide; surging by 13% against 2021 figures. In general, 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, safety razor blade production amounted to $17.4B in 2022 estimated in export price. Overall, production, however, recorded a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2016 with an increase of 7.1% against the previous year. As a result, production reached the peak level of $19.8B. From 2017 to 2022, global production growth remained at a lower figure.

Production By Country

The country with the largest volume of safety razor blade production was Russia (119B units), accounting for 70% of total volume. Moreover, safety razor blade production in Russia exceeded the figures recorded by the second-largest producer, Poland (19B units), sixfold. The third position in this ranking was held by the Netherlands (11B units), with a 6.2% share.

In Russia, safety razor blade production remained relatively stable over the period from 2012-2022. The remaining producing countries recorded the following average annual rates of production growth: Poland (+23.1% per year) and the Netherlands (+0.4% per year).

Imports

World Imports of Safety Razor Blades

In 2022, purchases abroad of safety razor blades decreased by -2.8% to 56B units, falling for the second year in a row after four years of growth. Over the period under review, imports, however, showed a resilient increase. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2020 with an increase of 146%. As a result, imports attained the peak of 65B units. From 2021 to 2022, the growth of global imports remained at a lower figure.

In value terms, safety razor blade imports shrank to $1.9B in 2022. Overall, imports continue to indicate a mild slump. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2021 with an increase of 9.6% against the previous year. Over the period under review, global imports attained the peak figure at $2.3B in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, imports remained at a lower figure.

Imports By Country

In 2022, the Netherlands (25B units) represented the largest importer of safety razor blades, committing 45% of total imports. Poland (5.7B units) took the second position in the ranking, followed by Germany (4.6B units) and the Czech Republic (2.9B units). All these countries together held near 23% share of total imports. Belgium (2.3B units), China (2B units), Sweden (1.6B units), Slovakia (1.1B units) and the United States (1B units) took a minor share of total imports.

From 2012 to 2022, average annual rates of growth with regard to safety razor blade imports into the Netherlands stood at +42.9%. At the same time, Slovakia (+47.5%), Sweden (+37.3%), the Czech Republic (+28.1%), Belgium (+26.1%), Germany (+23.6%), China (+20.1%), Poland (+8.1%) and the United States (+5.4%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, Slovakia emerged as the fastest-growing importer imported in the world, with a CAGR of +47.5% from 2012-2022. The Netherlands (+40 p.p.), Germany (+4.5 p.p.), the Czech Republic (+3.5 p.p.), Belgium (+2.6 p.p.), Sweden (+2.4 p.p.) and Slovakia (+1.7 p.p.) significantly strengthened its position in terms of the global imports, while the United States and Poland saw its share reduced by -2.2% and -7.3% from 2012 to 2022, respectively. The shares of the other countries remained relatively stable throughout the analyzed period.

In value terms, the largest safety razor blade importing markets worldwide were the United States ($212M), Poland ($202M) and Germany ($124M), with a combined 28% share of global imports. China, the Czech Republic, the Netherlands, Belgium, Sweden and Slovakia lagged somewhat behind, together accounting for a further 16%.

Among the main importing countries, the Czech Republic, with a CAGR of +8.4%, recorded the highest rates of growth with regard to the value of imports, over the period under review, while purchases for the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Import Prices By Country

The average safety razor blade import price stood at less than $0.1 per unit in 2022, falling by -1.6% against the previous year. Overall, the import price saw a deep reduction. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2021 when the average import price increased by 23% against the previous year. Over the period under review, average import prices reached the maximum at $0.2 per unit in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2022, import prices failed to regain momentum.

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 ($0.2 per unit), while the Netherlands (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 the United States (-1.9%), while the other global leaders experienced a decline in the import price figures.

Exports

World Exports of Safety Razor Blades

Global safety razor blade exports amounted to 56B units in 2022, remaining stable against 2021 figures. In general, exports, however, saw a pronounced curtailment. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2015 with an increase of 429% against the previous year. As a result, the exports reached the peak of 78B units. From 2016 to 2022, the growth of the global exports failed to regain momentum.

In value terms, safety razor blade exports fell modestly to $1.7B in 2022. Over the period under review, exports, however, continue to indicate a noticeable decline. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2018 with an increase of 6.1% against the previous year. The global exports peaked at $2.1B in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, the exports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Exports By Country

Poland represented the main exporting country with an export of about 21B units, which recorded 38% of total exports. It was distantly followed by the Netherlands (10B units), Belgium (9.7B units) and Germany (3.4B units), together mixing up a 42% share of total exports. China (2.1B units), the Czech Republic (2.1B units) and Vietnam (1.4B units) followed a long way behind the leaders.

Exports from Poland increased at an average annual rate of +21.9% from 2012 to 2022. At the same time, Vietnam (+44.4%), Belgium (+37.0%), the Netherlands (+30.9%), the Czech Republic (+9.9%) and China (+8.9%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, Vietnam emerged as the fastest-growing exporter exported in the world, with a CAGR of +44.4% from 2012-2022. By contrast, Germany (-5.5%) illustrated a downward trend over the same period. While the share of Poland (+35 p.p.), the Netherlands (+18 p.p.), Belgium (+17 p.p.), the Czech Republic (+2.8 p.p.), China (+2.7 p.p.) and Vietnam (+2.5 p.p.) increased significantly in terms of the global exports from 2012-2022, the share of Germany (-1.7 p.p.) displayed negative dynamics.

In value terms, the largest safety razor blade supplying countries worldwide were Poland ($383M), Germany ($355M) and the Czech Republic ($125M), with a combined 51% share of global exports. China, Vietnam, Belgium and the Netherlands lagged somewhat behind, together comprising a further 14%.

Vietnam, with a CAGR of +41.1%, 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 safety razor blade export price stood at less than $0.1 per unit in 2022, with a decrease of -5.9% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the export price, however, enjoyed slight growth. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2016 an increase of 389%. Over the period under review, the average export prices reached the maximum at $0.1 per unit in 2017; however, from 2018 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 Germany ($0.1 per unit), while the Netherlands (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 Germany (+5.2%), while the other global leaders experienced a decline in the export price figures.

Source: IndexBox Market Intelligence Platform