Inflatable Vessel Market

The inflatable vessel market is expected to see a decrease in consumption trend over the next eight years, with a forecasted decrease in market performance. Despite fluctuations in the market volume and value, certain countries like China, India, and the United States stand out as major consumers and producers in the inflatable vessel industry. The article also discusses the trends in production, imports, and exports of inflatable vessels, revealing insights into pricing and growth rates amongst the key players in the market.

Market Forecast

The inflatable vessel market is expected to start a downward consumption trend over the next eight years. The performance of the market is forecast to decrease slightly, with an anticipated CAGR of -0.1% for the eight-year period from 2022 to 2030, which is projected to depress the market volume to 11M units by the end of 2030.

In value terms, the market is forecast to contract with an anticipated CAGR of +10.2% for the period from 2022 to 2030, which is projected to bring the market value to $24.5B (in nominal prices) by the end of 2030.

Consumption

World Consumption of Inflatable Vessels For Pleasure Or Sports

In 2022, approx. 11M units of inflatable vessels for pleasure or sports were consumed worldwide; picking up by 16% compared with the previous year. Over the period under review, the total consumption indicated a measured increase from 2012 to 2022: its volume increased at an average annual rate of +4.9% 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 +75.5% against 2016 indices. Global consumption peaked in 2022 and is likely to see gradual growth in the near future.

The global inflatable vessel market size shrank markedly to $11.3B in 2022, falling by -55.8% 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, continues to indicate a relatively flat trend pattern. Over the period under review, the global market attained the peak level at $25.5B in 2021, and then contracted remarkably in the following year.

Consumption By Country

China (5.3M units) constituted the country with the largest volume of inflatable vessel consumption, accounting for 48% of total volume. Moreover, inflatable vessel consumption in China exceeded the figures recorded by the second-largest consumer, India (695K units), eightfold. The United States (513K units) ranked third in terms of total consumption with a 4.6% share.

In China, inflatable vessel consumption increased at an average annual rate of +14.9% over the period from 2012-2022. In the other countries, the average annual rates were as follows: India (+1.9% per year) and the United States (+7.8% per year).

In value terms, India ($1.6B), China ($1B) and Japan ($712M) appeared to be the countries with the highest levels of market value in 2022, together comprising 30% of the global market. Pakistan, Nigeria, Germany, the United States, Canada and Ethiopia lagged somewhat behind, together accounting for a further 19%.

Canada, with a CAGR of +25.7%, recorded the highest growth rate of market size among the main consuming countries 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 inflatable vessel per capita consumption in 2022 were Canada (5.6 units per 1000 persons), Germany (4.1 units per 1000 persons) and China (3.8 units per 1000 persons).

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of consumption, amongst the main consuming countries, was attained by Canada (with a CAGR of +19.6%), while consumption for the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Production

World Production of Inflatable Vessels For Pleasure Or Sports

In 2022, the amount of inflatable vessels for pleasure or sports produced worldwide expanded significantly to 11M units, increasing by 5.8% compared with the previous year. In general, production continues to indicate moderate growth. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2018 when the production volume increased by 64% against the previous year. Over the period under review, global production reached the maximum volume in 2022 and is likely to continue growth in the near future.

In value terms, inflatable vessel production dropped to $10.7B in 2022 estimated in export price. Overall, the total production indicated a measured expansion from 2012 to 2022: its value increased at an average annual rate of +3.0% over the last decade. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2022 figures, production increased by +48.9% against 2016 indices. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2018 with an increase of 26%. Global production peaked at $11.1B in 2021, and then fell modestly in the following year.

Production By Country

China (5.3M units) constituted the country with the largest volume of inflatable vessel production, accounting for 48% of total volume. Moreover, inflatable vessel production in China exceeded the figures recorded by the second-largest producer, India (694K units), eightfold. The third position in this ranking was held by the United States (513K units), with a 4.7% share.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual rate of growth in terms of volume in China stood at +3.0%. The remaining producing countries recorded the following average annual rates of production growth: India (+1.9% per year) and the United States (+331.0% per year).

Imports

World Imports of Inflatable Vessels For Pleasure Or Sports

In 2022, after six years of growth, there was significant decline in supplies from abroad of inflatable vessels for pleasure or sports, when their volume decreased by -96.7% to 152K units. Overall, imports faced a significant curtailment. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2021 when imports increased by 54% against the previous year. As a result, imports attained the peak of 4.6M units, and then contracted markedly in the following year.

In value terms, inflatable vessel imports reduced markedly to $51M in 2022. Over the period under review, imports continue to indicate a abrupt decrease. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2021 when imports increased by 48% against the previous year. As a result, imports attained the peak of $662M, and then shrank markedly in the following year.

Imports By Country

The purchases of the four major importers of inflatable vessels for pleasure or sports, namely Japan, Indonesia, the United Arab Emirates and Argentina, represented more than third of total import. Norway (6.8K units), Kazakhstan (5.2K units), Panama (4.9K units), Kuwait (4.8K units), Ukraine (4.5K units), Colombia (4.3K units), Taiwan (Chinese) (3.9K units), Morocco (3.6K units) and Mauritius (3.2K units) followed a long way behind the leaders.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of purchases, amongst the leading importing countries, was attained by Mauritius (with a CAGR of +41.7%), while imports for the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, the largest inflatable vessel importing markets worldwide were Japan ($5.8M), Indonesia ($5.3M) and Norway ($4.2M), with a combined 30% share of global imports. The United Arab Emirates, Kuwait, Morocco, Argentina, Mauritius, Colombia, Taiwan (Chinese), Kazakhstan, Panama and Ukraine lagged somewhat behind, together accounting for a further 20%.

Mauritius, with a CAGR of +24.9%, recorded the highest growth rate of the value of imports, in terms of 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 inflatable vessel import price amounted to $334 per unit, with an increase of 131% against the previous year. Overall, the import price enjoyed a resilient increase. As a result, import price attained the peak level and is likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

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 Norway ($610 per unit), while Ukraine ($42 per unit) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Ukraine (+10.2%), while the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Exports

World Exports of Inflatable Vessels For Pleasure Or Sports

In 2022, after six years of growth, there was significant decline in shipments abroad of inflatable vessels for pleasure or sports, when their volume decreased by -99.1% to 51K units. Over the period under review, exports faced a sharp shrinkage. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2018 when exports increased by 388% against the previous year. The global exports peaked at 5.4M units in 2021, and then contracted rapidly in the following year.

In value terms, inflatable vessel exports contracted remarkably to $65M in 2022. In general, exports faced a abrupt shrinkage. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2021 when exports increased by 52%. As a result, the exports attained the peak of $745M, and then declined markedly in the following year.

Exports By Country

In 2022, Ukraine (16K units) and Cambodia (12K units) represented the major exporters of inflatable vessels for pleasure or sportsin the world, together amounting to approx. 55% of total exports. Vietnam (7.3K units) took the next position in the ranking, followed by Norway (4K units) and Colombia (2.4K units). All these countries together held near 27% share of total exports. The following exporters - Tunisia (1.8K units) and Taiwan (Chinese) (1.5K units) - each finished at a 6.4% share of total exports.

From 2012 to 2022, the biggest increases were recorded for Cambodia (with a CAGR of +123.2%), while shipments for the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, Ukraine ($28M) remains the largest inflatable vessel supplier worldwide, comprising 43% of global exports. The second position in the ranking was taken by Tunisia ($11M), with a 17% share of global exports. It was followed by Colombia, with a 14% share.

In Ukraine, inflatable vessel exports expanded at an average annual rate of +6.9% over the period from 2012-2022. The remaining exporting countries recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: Tunisia (+5.8% per year) and Colombia (+5.8% per year).

Export Prices By Country

In 2022, the average inflatable vessel export price amounted to $1,261 per unit, rising by 822% against the previous year. In general, the export price recorded a significant increase. As a result, the export price reached the peak level and is likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

Prices varied noticeably by country of origin: amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was Tunisia ($6,302 per unit), while Cambodia ($105 per unit) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Ukraine (+17.8%), while the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Market Intelligence Platform