Ball Market

The global ball market is projected to see an upward consumption trend over the next eight years, with a forecasted increase in market volume to 1.7B units by 2030. The market performance is expected to grow slightly with a CAGR of +0.8% in volume and +3.6% in value from 2022 to 2030. The United States, China, and India were the top consumers of balls in 2022, with the United States leading in market value. Production of balls increased in 2022, mainly led by China. Imports and exports of balls also saw growth, with China dominating as the largest exporter. Prices varied by country, with Pakistan having the highest export price and China having the lowest.

Market Forecast

Driven by rising demand for ball worldwide, the market is expected to start an upward consumption trend over the next eight-year period. The performance of the market is forecast to increase slightly, with an anticipated CAGR of +0.8% for the period from 2022 to 2030, which is projected to bring the market volume to 1.7B units by the end of 2030.

In value terms, the market is forecast to increase with an anticipated CAGR of +3.6% for the period from 2022 to 2030, which is projected to bring the market value to $3.5B (in nominal prices) by the end of 2030.

Consumption

World Consumption of Balls

Global ball consumption expanded rapidly to 1.6B units in 2022, picking up by 7.7% against the previous year's figure. Overall, consumption, however, continues to indicate a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2021 when the consumption volume increased by 7.9%. Global consumption peaked at 1.8B units in 2016; however, from 2017 to 2022, consumption stood at a somewhat lower figure.

The global ball market revenue expanded rapidly to $2.6B in 2022, with an increase of 9.1% 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, however, showed a relatively flat trend pattern. Global consumption peaked at $3.4B in 2016; however, from 2017 to 2022, consumption remained at a lower figure.

Consumption By Country

The countries with the highest volumes of consumption in 2022 were the United States (372M units), China (297M units) and India (92M units), with a combined 49% share of global consumption.

From 2012 to 2022, the biggest increases were recorded for the United States (with a CAGR of +2.4%), while consumption for the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, the United States ($584M) led the market, alone. The second position in the ranking was held by China ($248M). It was followed by Pakistan.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual growth rate of value in the United States stood at +3.0%. In the other countries, the average annual rates were as follows: China (-2.1% per year) and Pakistan (-7.0% per year).

The countries with the highest levels of ball per capita consumption in 2022 were South Korea (1,309 units per 1000 persons), the United States (1,110 units per 1000 persons) and France (575 units per 1000 persons).

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of consumption, amongst the leading consuming countries, was attained by the United States (with a CAGR of +1.7%), while consumption for the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Production

World Production of Balls

In 2022, production of balls increased by 21% to 2.4B units, rising for the second year in a row after two years of decline. Over the period under review, production, however, saw a relatively flat trend pattern. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2018 with an increase of 61% against the previous year. Global production peaked at 2.7B units in 2014; however, from 2015 to 2022, production remained at a lower figure.

In value terms, ball production shrank modestly to $2.7B in 2022 estimated in export price. Overall, production, however, saw a perceptible descent. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2014 with an increase of 29%. As a result, production attained the peak level of $4.4B. From 2015 to 2022, global production growth remained at a somewhat lower figure.

Production By Country

China (1.8B units) constituted the country with the largest volume of ball production, comprising approx. 74% of total volume. Moreover, ball production in China exceeded the figures recorded by the second-largest producer, Thailand (233M units), eightfold. The third position in this ranking was held by Pakistan (93M units), with a 3.8% share.

In China, ball production expanded at an average annual rate of +1.0% over the period from 2012-2022. In the other countries, the average annual rates were as follows: Thailand (+3.6% per year) and Pakistan (-2.0% per year).

Imports

World Imports of Balls

In 2022, the amount of balls imported worldwide soared to 1.3B units, rising by 17% compared with 2021 figures. Over the period under review, imports continue to indicate modest growth. As a result, imports reached the peak and are likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

In value terms, ball imports soared to $2.5B in 2022. The total import value increased at an average annual rate of +3.0% from 2012 to 2022; however, the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. As a result, imports attained the peak and are likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

Imports By Country

In 2022, the United States (375M units) was the main importer of balls, making up 29% of total imports. South Korea (68M units) ranks second in terms of the total imports with a 5.2% share, followed by France (4.8%) and the Netherlands (4.5%). India (58M units), Germany (57M units), Japan (44M units), the UK (38M units), Brazil (34M units), Spain (34M units), Russia (25M units), China (24M units) and Australia (22M units) held a little share of total imports.

Imports into the United States increased at an average annual rate of +2.3% from 2012 to 2022. At the same time, India (+24.2%), China (+7.6%), the Netherlands (+5.0%), Spain (+3.0%), South Korea (+1.6%) and France (+1.3%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, India emerged as the fastest-growing importer imported in the world, with a CAGR of +24.2% from 2012-2022. Russia and Australia experienced a relatively flat trend pattern. By contrast, Germany (-1.5%), the UK (-2.0%), Japan (-3.2%) and Brazil (-6.1%) illustrated a downward trend over the same period. While the share of India (+3.8 p.p.) and the United States (+3.7 p.p.) increased significantly in terms of the global imports from 2012-2022, the share of Japan (-1.7 p.p.) and Brazil (-2.8 p.p.) displayed negative dynamics. The shares of the other countries remained relatively stable throughout the analyzed period.

In value terms, the United States ($611M) constitutes the largest market for imported balls worldwide, comprising 25% of global imports. The second position in the ranking was taken by Germany ($189M), with a 7.6% share of global imports. It was followed by France, with a 6% share.

In the United States, ball imports expanded at an average annual rate of +3.8% over the period from 2012-2022. The remaining importing countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: Germany (+3.5% per year) and France (+4.8% per year).

Import Prices By Country

The average ball import price stood at $1.9 per unit in 2022, rising by 17% against the previous year. Over the last decade, it increased at an average annual rate of +2.0%. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2014 an increase of 41% against the previous year. As a result, import price reached the peak level of $2.1 per unit. From 2015 to 2022, the average import prices remained at a somewhat lower figure.

Prices varied noticeably by country of destination: amid the top importers, the country with the highest price was Germany ($3.3 per unit), while India ($0.2 per unit) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by the UK (+5.5%), while the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Exports

World Exports of Balls

In 2022, shipments abroad of balls increased by 30% to 2.2B units, rising for the second consecutive year after two years of decline. Over the period under review, exports posted a mild expansion. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2018 with an increase of 101%. Over the period under review, the global exports hit record highs in 2022 and are likely to continue growth in years to come.

In value terms, ball exports surged to $2.8B in 2022. The total export value increased at an average annual rate of +3.2% over the period from 2012 to 2022; however, the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. As a result, the exports attained the peak and are likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

Exports By Country

In 2022, China (1.5B units) was the largest exporter of balls, committing 71% of total exports. It was distantly followed by Thailand (225M units), committing a 10% share of total exports. The Netherlands (65M units), Pakistan (60M units) and Vietnam (45M units) followed a long way behind the leaders.

From 2012 to 2022, average annual rates of growth with regard to ball exports from China stood at +1.4%. At the same time, Vietnam (+7.8%), the Netherlands (+7.7%), Pakistan (+3.8%) and Thailand (+3.5%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, Vietnam emerged as the fastest-growing exporter exported in the world, with a CAGR of +7.8% from 2012-2022. While the share of Thailand (+2 p.p.) increased significantly, the shares of the other countries remained relatively stable throughout the analyzed period.

In value terms, China ($1.3B) remains the largest ball supplier worldwide, comprising 46% of global exports. The second position in the ranking was held by Pakistan ($250M), with a 9% share of global exports. It was followed by Thailand, with a 7.3% share.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual growth rate of value in China amounted to +2.0%. The remaining exporting countries recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: Pakistan (+4.3% per year) and Thailand (+1.9% per year).

Export Prices By Country

In 2022, the average ball export price amounted to $1.3 per unit, increasing by 4.4% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the export price posted slight growth. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2015 an increase of 70% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the average export prices hit record highs at $2.4 per unit in 2017; however, from 2018 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 Pakistan ($4.1 per unit), while China ($0.8 per unit) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Vietnam (+8.3%), while the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Market Intelligence Platform