In February 2023, approximately 14K tons of office or school supplies of plastics were exported from China; declining by -47.5% on the month before. Over the period under review, exports continue to indicate a slight decrease. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in March 2022 when exports increased by 52% month-to-month. 

In value terms, office supply exports shrank sharply to $92M (IndexBox estimates) in February 2023. In general, total exports indicated mild growth from February 2022 to February 2023: its value increased at an average monthly rate of +1.6% over the last twelve-month period.

The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on February 2023 figures, exports decreased by -50.2% against December 2022 indices. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in March 2022 when exports increased by 61% against the previous month. 

Exports by Country Japan (3.3K tons), the United States (3K tons) and Vietnam (501 tons) were the main destinations of office supply exports from China, with a combined 49% share of total exports. Singapore, Malaysia, the Philippines, Thailand, Australia, the Netherlands, France, India, South Korea and Russia lagged somewhat behind, together comprising a further 25%.

From February 2022 to February 2023, the most notable rate of growth in terms of shipments, amongst the main countries of destination, was attained by Singapore (with a CAGR of +14.0%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, the United States ($18M), Singapore ($13M) and Japan ($11M) constituted the largest markets for office supply exported from China worldwide, together comprising 46% of total exports. Singapore, with a CAGR of +23.5%, saw the highest growth rate of the value of exports, among the main countries of destination over the period under review, while shipments for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Export Prices by Country In February 2023, the office supply price stood at $6,613 per ton (FOB, China), surging by 12% against the previous month.

Over the period from February 2022 to February 2023, it increased at an average monthly rate of +2.8%. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in December 2022 when the average export price increased by 15% against the previous month. As a result, the export price attained the peak level of $7,384 per ton. From January 2023 to February 2023, the the average export prices failed to regain momentum.

Prices varied noticeably by the country of destination: the country with the highest price was Singapore ($27,227 per ton), while the average price for exports to India ($3,123 per ton) was amongst the lowest. From February 2022 to February 2023, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was recorded for supplies to Australia (+13.5%), while the prices for the other major destinations experienced more modest paces of growth.

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