Natural Cork Stopper Market

The global market for corks and stoppers of natural cork is expected to see continued growth from 2022 to 2030, with consumption, production, imports, and exports all indicating relatively stable patterns. Key findings include a projected CAGR of +3.6% in volume and +5.4% in value terms, leading to a market volume of 950K tons and a value of $21.9B by 2030. Portugal, the United States, and China are among the top consumers and producers, while Portugal leads in exports. Import and export prices showed slight fluctuations, with France having the highest export price. Overall, the market is poised for moderate but consistent growth over the forecast period.

Market Forecast

Driven by increasing demand for corks and stoppers of natural cork worldwide, the market is expected to continue an upward consumption trend over the next eight years. Market performance is forecast to accelerate, expanding with an anticipated CAGR of +3.6% for the period from 2022 to 2030, which is projected to bring the market volume to 950K tons by the end of 2030.

In value terms, the market is forecast to increase with an anticipated CAGR of +5.4% for the period from 2022 to 2030, which is projected to bring the market value to $21.9B (in nominal prices) by the end of 2030.

Consumption

World Consumption of Corks And Stoppers Of Natural Cork

In 2022, consumption of corks and stoppers of natural cork decreased by -0.2% to 714K tons, falling for the third consecutive year after four years of growth. Overall, consumption, however, saw a relatively flat trend pattern. Global consumption peaked at 872K tons in 2019; however, from 2020 to 2022, consumption failed to regain momentum.

The global natural cork stopper market revenue declined modestly to $14.4B in 2022, almost unchanged from 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, however, continues to indicate a relatively flat trend pattern. Over the period under review, the global market hit record highs at $17.4B in 2019; however, from 2020 to 2022, consumption failed to regain momentum.

Consumption By Country

The countries with the highest volumes of consumption in 2022 were China (142K tons), the United States (113K tons) and India (58K tons), with a combined 44% share of global consumption. Portugal, Japan, Germany, Russia, Pakistan, Nigeria, the UK, Mexico, Canada and Saudi Arabia lagged somewhat behind, together comprising a further 34%.

From 2012 to 2022, the biggest increases were recorded for Portugal (with a CAGR of +19.5%), while consumption for the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, the United States ($2.6B), China ($1.6B) and Japan ($1.4B) appeared to be the countries with the highest levels of market value in 2022, with a combined 39% share of the global market. Germany, Portugal, India, the UK, Mexico, Pakistan, Russia, Canada, Nigeria and Saudi Arabia lagged somewhat behind, together comprising a further 38%.

Among the main consuming countries, Portugal, with a CAGR of +17.7%, saw 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.

In 2022, the highest levels of natural cork stopper per capita consumption was registered in Portugal (5,564 kg per 1000 persons), followed by the United States (337 kg per 1000 persons), Saudi Arabia (335 kg per 1000 persons) and Germany (323 kg per 1000 persons), while the world average per capita consumption of natural cork stopper was estimated at 1.2 kg per 1000 persons.

In Portugal, natural cork stopper per capita consumption expanded at an average annual rate of +19.8% over the period from 2012-2022. The remaining consuming countries recorded the following average annual rates of per capita consumption growth: the United States (+0.1% per year) and Saudi Arabia (+6.9% per year).

Production

World Production of Corks And Stoppers Of Natural Cork

In 2022, production of corks and stoppers of natural cork decreased by -0.1% to 709K tons, falling for the third consecutive year after four years of growth. In general, production, however, showed a relatively flat trend pattern. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2016 when the production volume increased by 29%. Global production peaked at 862K tons in 2019; however, from 2020 to 2022, production stood at a somewhat lower figure.

In value terms, natural cork stopper production reduced to $13.5B in 2022 estimated in export price. Overall, production showed a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2016 with an increase of 9.3%. Global production peaked at $14.7B in 2019; however, from 2020 to 2022, production failed to regain momentum.

Production By Country

The countries with the highest volumes of production in 2022 were China (141K tons), the United States (108K tons) and Portugal (67K tons), together accounting for 45% of global production.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of production, amongst the key producing countries, was attained by Portugal (with a CAGR of +11.7%), while production for the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Imports

World Imports of Corks And Stoppers Of Natural Cork

In 2022, after six years of decline, there was significant growth in supplies from abroad of corks and stoppers of natural cork, when their volume increased by 5.9% to 28K tons. Overall, imports, however, recorded a noticeable curtailment. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2013 when imports increased by 20%. Over the period under review, global imports hit record highs at 42K tons in 2015; however, from 2016 to 2022, imports remained at a lower figure.

In value terms, natural cork stopper imports fell slightly to $615M in 2022. In general, imports, however, saw a relatively flat trend pattern. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2021 with an increase of 10%. Global imports peaked at $695M in 2018; however, from 2019 to 2022, imports remained at a lower figure.

Imports By Country

Spain (6.4K tons), the United States (5.5K tons) and France (4.1K tons) represented roughly 58% of total imports in 2022. Italy (2.7K tons) took the next position in the ranking, followed by Portugal (1.6K tons). All these countries together took near 15% share of total imports. The following importers - the UK (887 tons), Chile (595 tons), Canada (518 tons) and South Africa (513 tons) - together made up 9.1% of total imports.

From 2012 to 2022, the biggest increases were recorded for Portugal (with a CAGR of +5.0%), while purchases for the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, the largest natural cork stopper importing markets worldwide were the United States ($173M), France ($131M) and Italy ($61M), together accounting for 59% of global imports. Spain, the UK, Portugal, Chile, South Africa and Canada lagged somewhat behind, together accounting for a further 22%.

The UK, with a CAGR of +3.8%, recorded 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

In 2022, the average natural cork stopper import price amounted to $22,297 per ton, with a decrease of -6.1% against the previous year. In general, import price indicated a slight expansion from 2012 to 2022: its price increased at an average annual rate of +1.7% over the last decade. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2022 figures, natural cork stopper import price increased by +48.0% against 2016 indices. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2018 when the average import price increased by 21%. Global import price peaked at $23,743 per ton in 2021, and then declined in the following year.

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 UK ($32,958 per ton), while Spain ($7,076 per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by the UK (+4.4%), while the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Exports

World Exports of Corks And Stoppers Of Natural Cork

In 2022, shipments abroad of corks and stoppers of natural cork increased by 11% to 22K tons, rising for the second consecutive year after two years of decline. Over the period under review, exports, however, continue to indicate a relatively flat trend pattern. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2021 with an increase of 15% against the previous year. The global exports peaked at 32K tons in 2018; however, from 2019 to 2022, the exports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

In value terms, natural cork stopper exports declined modestly to $652M in 2022. Overall, exports showed a relatively flat trend pattern. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2018 when exports increased by 15% against the previous year. As a result, the exports attained the peak of $781M. From 2019 to 2022, the growth of the global exports failed to regain momentum.

Exports By Country

Portugal was the major exporter of corks and stoppers of natural cork in the world, with the volume of exports finishing at 12K tons, which was approx. 53% of total exports in 2022. It was distantly followed by Spain (6.5K tons), achieving a 30% share of total exports. Italy (874 tons), Morocco (658 tons), the United States (469 tons) and France (449 tons) followed a long way behind the leaders.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of shipments, amongst the leading exporting countries, was attained by Italy (with a CAGR of +3.0%), while the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, Portugal ($498M) remains the largest natural cork stopper supplier worldwide, comprising 76% of global exports. The second position in the ranking was taken by Spain ($53M), with an 8.2% share of global exports. It was followed by France, with a 3.8% share.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual growth rate of value in Portugal was relatively modest. In the other countries, the average annual rates were as follows: Spain (-4.8% per year) and France (+0.4% per year).

Export Prices By Country

The average natural cork stopper export price stood at $29,762 per ton in 2022, which is down by -12% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the export price, however, recorded a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2019 when the average export price increased by 19%. Over the period under review, the average export prices reached the peak figure at $34,030 per ton in 2020; however, from 2021 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 France ($55,582 per ton), while Spain ($8,244 per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Morocco (+5.9%), while the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Market Intelligence Platform