Optical Fiber and Bundle Market

The article explores the growing demand for optical fibers and bundles globally, projecting an increase in market volume and value by 2030. It covers consumption trends, production rates, import and export data, highlighting key players like China, India, and the United States. The analysis reveals fluctuations in consumption and production over the years, with insightful statistics on market size, growth rates, and price trends. Overall, the article offers a comprehensive overview of the optical fiber and bundle market dynamics.

Market Forecast

Driven by increasing demand for optical fibers and bundles worldwide, the market is expected to continue an upward consumption trend over the next eight-year period. Market performance is forecast to accelerate, expanding with an anticipated CAGR of +5.1% for the period from 2022 to 2030, which is projected to bring the market volume to 487K tons by the end of 2030.

In value terms, the market is forecast to increase with an anticipated CAGR of +6.5% for the period from 2022 to 2030, which is projected to bring the market value to $45.3B (in nominal prices) by the end of 2030.

Consumption

World Consumption of Optical Fibers and Bundles

In 2022, the amount of optical fibers and bundles consumed worldwide fell to 327K tons, with a decrease of -10.1% compared with the previous year. Over the period under review, the total consumption indicated temperate growth from 2012 to 2022: its volume increased at an average annual rate of +2.2% over the last decade. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2022 figures, consumption decreased by -30.9% against 2018 indices. As a result, consumption reached the peak volume of 473K tons. From 2019 to 2022, the growth of the global consumption failed to regain momentum.

The global optical fiber and bundle market revenue shrank to $27.3B in 2022, which is down by -8.2% 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). Overall, the total consumption indicated a measured increase from 2012 to 2022: its value increased at an average annual rate of +2.9% 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 +3.0% against 2020 indices. As a result, consumption attained the peak level of $37.4B. From 2019 to 2022, the growth of the global market remained at a lower figure.

Consumption By Country

China (77K tons) constituted the country with the largest volume of optical fiber and bundle consumption, accounting for 24% of total volume. Moreover, optical fiber and bundle consumption in China exceeded the figures recorded by the second-largest consumer, the United States (37K tons), twofold. Brazil (16K tons) ranked third in terms of total consumption with a 5% share.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual growth rate of volume in China stood at +2.4%. The remaining consuming countries recorded the following average annual rates of consumption growth: the United States (+1.3% per year) and Brazil (+3.6% per year).

In value terms, China ($6.2B), the United States ($6.2B) and Mexico ($1.7B) appeared to be the countries with the highest levels of market value in 2022, together accounting for 52% of the global market. Japan, Indonesia, Ethiopia, the UK, Spain, India, Italy, Brazil, France and Russia lagged somewhat behind, together accounting for a further 12%.

Among the main consuming countries, Ethiopia, with a CAGR of +7.8%, recorded the highest rates of growth with regard to 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 optical fiber and bundle per capita consumption in 2022 were the UK (186 kg per 1000 persons), Spain (183 kg per 1000 persons) and France (174 kg per 1000 persons).

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of consumption, amongst the key consuming countries, was attained by the UK (with a CAGR of +5.3%), while consumption for the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Production

World Production of Optical Fibers and Bundles

In 2022, global production of optical fibers and bundles shrank slightly to 362K tons, with a decrease of -4.5% compared with the year before. In general, the total production indicated noticeable growth from 2012 to 2022: its volume increased at an average annual rate of +3.3% 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 +3.9% against 2020 indices. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2018 with an increase of 27%. As a result, production reached the peak volume of 469K tons. From 2019 to 2022, global production growth remained at a lower figure.

In value terms, optical fiber and bundle production shrank to $27.7B in 2022 estimated in export price. Overall, the total production indicated temperate growth from 2012 to 2022: its value increased at an average annual rate of +3.3% 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 +6.4% against 2020 indices. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2018 with an increase of 20%. As a result, production reached the peak level of $36.1B. From 2019 to 2022, global production growth remained at a somewhat lower figure.

Production By Country

The countries with the highest volumes of production in 2022 were China (93K tons), India (52K tons) and the United States (37K tons), with a combined 50% share of global production.

From 2012 to 2022, the biggest increases were recorded for India (with a CAGR of +7.7%), while production for the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Imports

World Imports of Optical Fibers and Bundles

In 2022, purchases abroad of optical fibers and bundles increased by 9.2% to 45K tons, rising for the second year in a row after two years of decline. Overall, total imports indicated strong growth from 2012 to 2022: its volume increased at an average annual rate of +6.2% over the last decade. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2022 figures, imports increased by +49.7% against 2020 indices. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2021 with an increase of 37%. Global imports peaked in 2022 and are likely to see steady growth in the near future.

In value terms, optical fiber and bundle imports rose remarkably to $2.7B in 2022. In general, total imports indicated measured growth from 2012 to 2022: its value increased at an average annual rate of +4.5% over the last decade. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2022 figures, imports increased by +31.9% against 2020 indices. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2018 with an increase of 18%. Global imports peaked in 2022 and are likely to continue growth in years to come.

Imports By Country

India (4.6K tons), Romania (3.5K tons) and the UK (3.3K tons) represented roughly 26% of total imports in 2022. Spain (2.2K tons) held the next position in the ranking, followed by the United States (2.1K tons). All these countries together took approx. 9.6% share of total imports. The following importers - France (1.8K tons), Mexico (1.4K tons), Argentina (1.3K tons), Thailand (1.3K tons), Italy (1.2K tons), Ecuador (1.2K tons), Poland (1.1K tons) and China (1.1K tons) - together made up 23% of total imports.

From 2012 to 2022, the biggest increases were recorded for Romania (with a CAGR of +40.0%), while purchases for the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, the largest optical fiber and bundle importing markets worldwide were China ($352M), the United States ($298M) and Romania ($153M), together accounting for 30% of global imports.

Romania, with a CAGR of +37.1%, saw the highest rates of growth with regard to 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 optical fiber and bundle import price amounted to $60,796 per ton, growing by 4.1% against the previous year. In general, the import price, however, continues to indicate a slight curtailment. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2016 an increase of 18% against the previous year. Global import price peaked at $71,760 per ton in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, import prices remained at a lower figure.

Prices varied noticeably by country of destination: amid the top importers, the country with the highest price was China ($318,432 per ton), while Ecuador ($11,295 per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by China (+7.3%), while the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Exports

World Exports of Optical Fibers and Bundles

Global optical fiber and bundle exports surged to 80K tons in 2022, jumping by 41% compared with the previous year. In general, exports enjoyed a resilient expansion. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2021 with an increase of 76% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the global exports reached the peak figure in 2022 and are likely to see steady growth in years to come.

In value terms, optical fiber and bundle exports soared to $3.2B in 2022. Overall, total exports indicated a prominent increase from 2012 to 2022: its value increased at an average annual rate of +5.9% over the last decade. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2022 figures, exports increased by +48.6% against 2020 indices. As a result, the exports attained the peak and are likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

Exports By Country

India was the key exporting country with an export of about 48K tons, which accounted for 61% of total exports. It was distantly followed by China (17K tons), comprising a 21% share of total exports. The following exporters - Japan (2.5K tons) and the United States (2.2K tons) - each amounted to a 5.8% share of total exports.

From 2012 to 2022, average annual rates of growth with regard to optical fiber and bundle exports from India stood at +19.5%. At the same time, China (+31.3%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, China emerged as the fastest-growing exporter exported in the world, with a CAGR of +31.3% from 2012-2022. Japan experienced a relatively flat trend pattern. By contrast, the United States (-4.2%) illustrated a downward trend over the same period. From 2012 to 2022, the share of India and China increased by +27 and +17 percentage points, respectively.

In value terms, China ($747M), India ($660M) and the United States ($459M) appeared to be the countries with the highest levels of exports in 2022, together accounting for 59% of global exports.

Among the main exporting countries, China, with a CAGR of +21.8%, recorded the highest growth rate of the value of exports, over the period under review, while shipments for the other global leaders experienced mixed trends in the exports figures.

Export Prices By Country

The average optical fiber and bundle export price stood at $39,703 per ton in 2022, with a decrease of -12.2% against the previous year. In general, the export price continues to indicate a abrupt downturn. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2015 when the average export price increased by 11% against the previous year. The global export price peaked at $75,858 per ton in 2019; however, from 2020 to 2022, the export prices remained at a lower figure.

Prices varied noticeably by country of origin: amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was the United States ($208,660 per ton), while India ($13,650 per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by the United States (+3.1%), while the other global leaders experienced a decline in the export price figures.

Source: IndexBox Market Intelligence Platform