Transport Container Market

The global transport container market is anticipated to witness a steady increase in both volume and value over the period from 2022 to 2030. The market performance is forecasted to grow with a CAGR of +1.2% in terms of volume and +3.8% in terms of value. The article highlights trends in consumption, production, imports, and exports of transport containers, with detailed insights into key countries like China, the United States, and the Czech Republic. From 2012 to 2022, the market saw fluctuations but overall growth, with China being the largest producer and exporter of transport containers. The analysis also covers import and export prices, with significant differences observed amongst major exporting countries.

Market Forecast

Driven by increasing demand for transport containers worldwide, the market is expected to continue an upward consumption trend over the next eight years. 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 12M units by the end of 2030.

In value terms, the market is forecast to increase with an anticipated CAGR of +3.8% for the period from 2022 to 2030, which is projected to bring the market value to $37.9B (in nominal prices) by the end of 2030.

Consumption

World Consumption of Transport Containers

In 2022, after six years of growth, there was significant decline in consumption of transport containers, when its volume decreased by -8.8% to 11M units. Overall, the total consumption indicated a notable increase from 2012 to 2022: its volume increased at an average annual rate of +2.7% over the last decade. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2022 figures, consumption increased by +50.6% against 2015 indices. Over the period under review, global consumption reached the maximum volume at 12M units in 2021, and then contracted in the following year.

The global transport container market value declined slightly to $28.2B in 2022, standing approx. at 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). The market value increased at an average annual rate of +2.9% over the period from 2012 to 2022; however, the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Over the period under review, the global market hit record highs at $28.5B in 2021, and then reduced modestly in the following year.

Consumption By Country

The countries with the highest volumes of consumption in 2022 were China (1.3M units), the United States (1.2M units) and the Czech Republic (786K units), together accounting for 30% of global consumption. India, Russia, Belgium, Japan, Indonesia, Singapore, Brazil, Bangladesh, Mexico and Denmark lagged somewhat behind, together comprising a further 35%.

From 2012 to 2022, the biggest increases were recorded for Singapore (with a CAGR of +47.4%), while consumption for the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, China ($3.7B), the United States ($2.8B) and Russia ($2.2B) were the countries with the highest levels of market value in 2022, with a combined 31% share of the global market. Bangladesh, India, Japan, Indonesia, Singapore, Belgium, Denmark, Brazil, Mexico and the Czech Republic lagged somewhat behind, together accounting for a further 26%.

In terms of the main consuming countries, Singapore, with a CAGR of +35.5%, 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.

The countries with the highest levels of transport container per capita consumption in 2022 were the Czech Republic (73 units per 1000 persons), Singapore (61 units per 1000 persons) and Belgium (40 units per 1000 persons).

From 2012 to 2022, the biggest increases were recorded for Singapore (with a CAGR of +46.0%), while consumption for the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Production

World Production of Transport Containers

In 2022, global production of transport containers dropped to 13M units, reducing by -12.8% compared with the previous year. Over the period under review, production saw a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2021 when the production volume increased by 29% against the previous year. As a result, production reached the peak volume of 15M units, and then dropped in the following year.

In value terms, transport container production rose modestly to $33.8B in 2022 estimated in export price. The total output value increased at an average annual rate of +2.2% from 2012 to 2022; however, the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded in certain years. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2017 with an increase of 19% against the previous year. Over the period under review, global production reached the maximum level at $36.7B in 2018; however, from 2019 to 2022, production failed to regain momentum.

Production By Country

China (5.1M units) constituted the country with the largest volume of transport container production, accounting for 39% of total volume. Moreover, transport container production in China exceeded the figures recorded by the second-largest producer, the United States (934K units), fivefold. India (660K units) ranked third in terms of total production with a 5.1% share.

In China, transport container production increased at an average annual rate of +3.0% over the period from 2012-2022. In the other countries, the average annual rates were as follows: the United States (-0.3% per year) and India (+1.5% per year).

Imports

World Imports of Transport Containers

In 2022, global transport container imports stood at 4.2M units, with an increase of 12% against 2021 figures. In general, imports showed prominent growth. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2021 with an increase of 47% against the previous year. Over the period under review, global imports hit record highs in 2022 and are likely to see gradual growth in the immediate term.

In value terms, transport container imports surged to $6.8B in 2022. Over the period under review, imports continue to indicate a remarkable increase. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2021 when imports increased by 45%. Global imports peaked in 2022 and are expected to retain growth in the near future.

Imports By Country

The United States (607K units), Belgium (551K units) and Singapore (430K units) represented roughly 38% of total imports in 2022. France (267K units) held a 6.4% share (based on physical terms) of total imports, which put it in second place, followed by Spain (5.9%) and Russia (5.2%). The Czech Republic (162K units), Ireland (136K units), the UK (130K units), Germany (122K units), the Netherlands (110K units), Poland (92K units) and Switzerland (85K units) followed a long way behind the leaders.

From 2012 to 2022, the biggest increases were recorded for the United States (with a CAGR of +82.1%), while purchases for the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, the United States ($1.5B) constitutes the largest market for imported transport containers worldwide, comprising 22% of global imports. The second position in the ranking was held by Russia ($619M), with a 9.1% share of global imports. It was followed by Germany, with a 7.1% share.

In the United States, transport container imports expanded at an average annual rate of +11.4% over the period from 2012-2022. The remaining importing countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: Russia (+21.4% per year) and Germany (+7.7% per year).

Import Prices By Country

The average transport container import price stood at $1,612 per unit in 2022, picking up by 15% against the previous year. Overall, the import price, however, recorded a pronounced decline. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2014 when the average import price increased by 22%. As a result, import price attained the peak level of $2,982 per unit. From 2015 to 2022, the average import prices remained at a somewhat lower figure.

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 Germany ($3,973 per unit), while Ireland ($91 per unit) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by the Netherlands (+12.5%), while the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Exports

World Exports of Transport Containers

In 2022, approx. 6.3M units of transport containers were exported worldwide; reducing by -5.6% compared with the previous year. In general, exports recorded a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2021 with an increase of 95%. As a result, the exports reached the peak of 6.6M units, and then shrank in the following year.

In value terms, transport container exports dropped sharply to $18.2B in 2022. Over the period under review, exports, however, enjoyed a resilient expansion. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2021 with an increase of 166% against the previous year. As a result, the exports attained the peak of $26.1B, and then fell sharply in the following year.

Exports By Country

China dominates exports structure, amounting to 3.7M units, which was near 60% of total exports in 2022. It was distantly followed by the United States (360K units), mixing up a 5.8% share of total exports. The following exporters - the Netherlands (259K units), the UK (157K units), Belgium (130K units), Australia (127K units), Italy (124K units), South Africa (120K units), Poland (119K units), the United Arab Emirates (111K units) and France (105K units) - together made up 20% of total exports.

Exports from China increased at an average annual rate of +4.3% from 2012 to 2022. At the same time, the United States (+34.4%), the United Arab Emirates (+20.7%), Australia (+18.2%), the UK (+14.2%), Belgium (+11.5%), Poland (+7.5%), Italy (+6.8%), France (+6.1%) and South Africa (+2.2%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, the United States emerged as the fastest-growing exporter exported in the world, with a CAGR of +34.4% from 2012-2022. The Netherlands experienced a relatively flat trend pattern. From 2012 to 2022, the share of China, the United States, the UK, Australia and the United Arab Emirates increased by +21, +5.8, +1.8, +1.6 and +1.5 percentage points, while the shares of the other countries remained relatively stable throughout the analyzed period.

In value terms, China ($14.7B) remains the largest transport container supplier worldwide, comprising 81% of global exports. The second position in the ranking was held by the United States ($425M), with a 2.3% share of global exports. It was followed by the Netherlands, with a 2.2% share.

In China, transport container exports increased at an average annual rate of +5.7% over the period from 2012-2022. The remaining exporting countries recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: the United States (+2.3% per year) and the Netherlands (+7.6% per year).

Export Prices By Country

The average transport container export price stood at $2,914 per unit in 2022, declining by -26.2% against the previous year. Overall, the export price, however, continues to indicate a strong expansion. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2021 when the average export price increased by 37% against the previous year. As a result, the export price reached the peak level of $3,949 per unit, and then shrank sharply in the following year.

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 China ($3,923 per unit), while Australia ($260 per unit) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by the Netherlands (+6.8%), while the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Market Intelligence Platform