Wire And Cable Market

The article provides an in-depth analysis of the global wire and cable market, focusing on consumption, production, exports, and imports from 2012 to 2022. It includes forecasts for market performance, with a projected increase in market volume and value. Key findings include trends in major consuming and producing countries, growth rates, and product types. The data shows significant growth in China's wire and cable consumption and production, as well as notable trends in the United States, Germany, and other leading countries. The analysis also covers pricing trends for different types of wire and cable products, highlighting the average export prices and notable rate of growth over the years.

Market Forecast

Driven by increasing demand for insulated wire and cable worldwide, the market is expected to continue an upward consumption trend over the next eight years. Market performance is forecast to retain its current trend pattern, expanding with an anticipated CAGR of +1.4% for the period from 2022 to 2030, which is projected to bring the market volume to 27M tons by the end of 2030.

In value terms, the market is forecast to increase with an anticipated CAGR of +3.7% for the period from 2022 to 2030, which is projected to bring the market value to $357.5B (in nominal prices) by the end of 2030.

Consumption

World Consumption of Insulated Wire And Cable

In 2022, approx. 24M tons of insulated wire and cable were consumed worldwide; with an increase of 3.6% against the previous year. The total consumption volume increased at an average annual rate of +1.6% from 2012 to 2022; the trend pattern remained consistent, with only minor fluctuations being observed throughout the analyzed period. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2019 with an increase of 7.9% against the previous year. Over the period under review, global consumption attained the peak volume in 2022 and is expected to retain growth in the near future.

The global wire and cable market size stood at $268B in 2022, with an increase of 3.3% 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). The market value increased at an average annual rate of +2.1% over the period from 2012 to 2022; the trend pattern remained relatively stable, with only minor fluctuations being observed throughout the analyzed period. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2018 when the market value increased by 6.9%. Global consumption peaked in 2022 and is expected to retain growth in the immediate term.

Consumption By Country

China (6.6M tons) remains the largest wire and cable consuming country worldwide, accounting for 27% of total volume. Moreover, wire and cable consumption in China exceeded the figures recorded by the second-largest consumer, the United States (1.5M tons), fourfold. The third position in this ranking was held by Italy (1.2M tons), with a 4.9% share.

In China, wire and cable consumption expanded at an average annual rate of +4.7% over the period from 2012-2022. The remaining consuming countries recorded the following average annual rates of consumption growth: the United States (+3.1% per year) and Italy (+1.3% per year).

In value terms, China ($60.2B), the United States ($32B) and Indonesia ($15.4B) constituted the countries with the highest levels of market value in 2022, together comprising 40% of the global market. Turkey, Germany, Japan, Democratic Republic of the Congo, France, Italy, Thailand, the UK, Egypt and Iran lagged somewhat behind, together comprising a further 28%.

In terms of the main consuming countries, Turkey, with a CAGR of +18.7%, saw 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 wire and cable per capita consumption in 2022 were Italy (20 kg per person), Germany (11 kg per person) and Japan (7.3 kg per person).

From 2012 to 2022, the biggest increases were recorded for Turkey (with a CAGR of +15.9%), while consumption for the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Production

World Production of Insulated Wire And Cable

In 2022, approx. 24M tons of insulated wire and cable were produced worldwide; picking up by 5.8% compared with the previous year's figure. The total output volume increased at an average annual rate of +1.5% over the period from 2012 to 2022; the trend pattern remained relatively stable, with somewhat noticeable fluctuations being recorded in certain years. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2017 with an increase of 12% against the previous year. Global production peaked in 2022 and is likely to continue growth in years to come.

In value terms, wire and cable production dropped modestly to $254.3B in 2022 estimated in export price. The total output value increased at an average annual rate of +1.9% from 2012 to 2022; the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2018 with an increase of 18% against the previous year. Global production peaked at $314.3B in 2019; however, from 2020 to 2022, production remained at a lower figure.

Production By Country

China (8.8M tons) remains the largest wire and cable producing country worldwide, accounting for 36% of total volume. Moreover, wire and cable production in China exceeded the figures recorded by the second-largest producer, Italy (1.5M tons), sixfold. The third position in this ranking was taken by Indonesia (1.2M tons), with a 4.8% share.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual rate of growth in terms of volume in China totaled +4.2%. In the other countries, the average annual rates were as follows: Italy (+1.4% per year) and Indonesia (+4.5% per year).

Imports

World Imports of Insulated Wire And Cable

In 2022, the amount of insulated wire and cable imported worldwide amounted to 11M tons, almost unchanged from the previous year. The total import volume increased at an average annual rate of +2.4% over the period from 2012 to 2022; the trend pattern remained consistent, with somewhat noticeable fluctuations in certain years. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2021 when imports increased by 19% against the previous year. Global imports peaked in 2022 and are expected to retain growth in the near future.

In value terms, wire and cable imports rose remarkably to $148.3B in 2022. The total import value increased at an average annual rate of +4.2% from 2012 to 2022; the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2021 with an increase of 25% against the previous year. Over the period under review, global imports hit record highs in 2022 and are expected to retain growth in years to come.

Imports By Country

The United States (1.2M tons), Germany (1M tons) and Mexico (0.8M tons) represented roughly 28% of total imports in 2022. The following importers - the UK (399K tons), France (387K tons), Japan (371K tons), Spain (259K tons), the Czech Republic (254K tons), Canada (243K tons), Poland (234K tons), the Netherlands (233K tons), Belgium (221K tons) and Austria (212K tons) - together made up 26% of total imports.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of purchases, amongst the leading importing countries, was attained by Spain (with a CAGR of +7.4%), while imports for the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, the United States ($26.2B), Germany ($13.9B) and Japan ($8.3B) appeared to be the countries with the highest levels of imports in 2022, together comprising 33% of global imports. Mexico, France, the UK, Canada, the Czech Republic, Spain, the Netherlands, Poland, Austria and Belgium lagged somewhat behind, together comprising a further 24%.

The Netherlands, with a CAGR of +9.5%, 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.

Imports By Type

In 2022, insulated electric conductors for a voltage under 80 v, not fitted with connectors (5M tons) represented the largest type of insulated wire and cable, constituting 46% of total imports. Insulated electric conductors for a voltage under 1000 v, fitted with connectors (1.8M tons) ranks second in terms of the total imports with a 16% share, followed by wiring sets used in vehicles, aircraft or ships (14%), insulated electric conductors for a voltage over 1000 v (12%), winding wire of copper (5.6%) and insulated coaxial cables (4.9%). Winding wire, other than of copper (170K tons) followed a long way behind the leaders.

Imports of insulated electric conductors for a voltage under 80 v, not fitted with connectors increased at an average annual rate of +3.3% from 2012 to 2022. At the same time, insulated electric conductors for a voltage under 1000 v, fitted with connectors (+4.1%), insulated electric conductors for a voltage over 1000 v (+4.0%) and wiring sets used in vehicles, aircraft or ships (+1.8%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, insulated electric conductors for a voltage under 1000 v, fitted with connectors emerged as the fastest-growing type imported in the world, with a CAGR of +4.1% from 2012-2022. Winding wire, other than of copper experienced a relatively flat trend pattern. By contrast, winding wire of copper (-1.0%) and insulated coaxial cables (-3.7%) illustrated a downward trend over the same period. Insulated electric conductors for a voltage under 80 v, not fitted with connectors (+3.8 p.p.), insulated electric conductors for a voltage under 1000 v, fitted with connectors (+2.4 p.p.) and insulated electric conductors for a voltage over 1000 v (+1.6 p.p.) significantly strengthened its position in terms of the global imports, while winding wire of copper and insulated coaxial cables saw its share reduced by -2.3% and -4.2% from 2012 to 2022, respectively. The shares of the other products remained relatively stable throughout the analyzed period.

In value terms, wiring sets used in vehicles, aircraft or ships ($47.1B), insulated electric conductors for a voltage under 1000 v, fitted with connectors ($40.5B) and insulated electric conductors for a voltage under 80 v, not fitted with connectors ($37.9B) appeared to be the products with the highest levels of imports in 2022, with a combined 85% share of global imports.

Among the main imported products, insulated electric conductors for a voltage under 1000 v, fitted with connectors, with a CAGR of +6.2%, saw the highest growth rate of the value of imports, over the period under review, while purchases for the other products experienced more modest paces of growth.

Import Prices By Type

The average wire and cable import price stood at $13,493 per ton in 2022, increasing by 6.7% against the previous year. Over the period from 2012 to 2022, it increased at an average annual rate of +1.7%. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2017 an increase of 7.9% against the previous year. Over the period under review, average import prices attained the peak figure in 2022 and is likely to see gradual growth in the near future.

There were significant differences in the average prices amongst the major imported products. In 2022, the product with the highest price was wiring sets used in vehicles, aircraft or ships ($30,218 per ton), while the price for winding wire, other than of copper ($6,928 per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by insulated coaxial cable (+3.4%), while the other products experienced more modest paces of growth.

Import Prices By Country

The average wire and cable import price stood at $13,493 per ton in 2022, with an increase of 6.7% against the previous year. Over the period from 2012 to 2022, it increased at an average annual rate of +1.7%. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2017 when the average import price increased by 7.9%. Global import price peaked in 2022 and is likely to see steady 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 Japan ($22,479 per ton), while Mexico ($8,049 per ton) was amongst the lowest.

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

Exports

World Exports of Insulated Wire And Cable

In 2022, overseas shipments of insulated wire and cable increased by 5.4% to 11M tons, rising for the second year in a row after two years of decline. The total export volume increased at an average annual rate of +2.4% over the period from 2012 to 2022; the trend pattern remained relatively stable, with only minor fluctuations being observed in certain years. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2014 when exports increased by 15%. The global exports peaked in 2022 and are expected to retain growth in years to come.

In value terms, wire and cable exports totaled $150.6B in 2022. The total export value increased at an average annual rate of +4.1% over the period from 2012 to 2022; the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded in certain years. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2021 when exports increased by 27% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the global exports attained the peak figure in 2022 and are expected to retain growth in the immediate term.

Exports By Country

In 2022, China (2.4M tons), distantly followed by Mexico (980K tons), Germany (575K tons), Spain (565K tons) and Turkey (518K tons) were the key exporters of insulated wire and cable, together creating 45% of total exports. Italy (478K tons), the United States (358K tons), Poland (323K tons), South Korea (317K tons), Romania (300K tons), the Czech Republic (284K tons), Vietnam (219K tons) and Morocco (211K tons) held a minor share of total exports.

From 2012 to 2022, average annual rates of growth with regard to wire and cable exports from China stood at +2.6%. At the same time, Morocco (+15.7%), Spain (+9.4%), Vietnam (+8.0%), Mexico (+5.9%), Poland (+3.8%), Turkey (+3.5%), Romania (+3.4%), Italy (+2.7%), the Czech Republic (+1.9%) and Germany (+1.5%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, Morocco emerged as the fastest-growing exporter exported in the world, with a CAGR of +15.7% from 2012-2022. By contrast, South Korea (-1.4%) and the United States (-6.1%) illustrated a downward trend over the same period. Mexico (+2.5 p.p.) and Spain (+2.4 p.p.) significantly strengthened its position in terms of the global exports, while the United States saw its share reduced by -4.4% from 2012 to 2022, respectively. The shares of the other countries remained relatively stable throughout the analyzed period.

In value terms, the largest wire and cable supplying countries worldwide were China ($28.4B), Mexico ($14.8B) and the United States ($10.4B), together comprising 36% of global exports. Germany, Vietnam, Italy, Romania, the Czech Republic, Morocco, Poland, Turkey, South Korea and Spain lagged somewhat behind, together accounting for a further 30%.

In terms of the main exporting countries, Morocco, with a CAGR of +14.1%, recorded the highest growth rate of the value of exports, over the period under review, while shipments for the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Exports By Type

Insulated electric conductors for a voltage under 80 v, not fitted with connectors represented the major exported product with an export of around 4.8M tons, which finished at 43% of total exports. Wiring sets used in vehicles, aircraft or ships (1.8M tons) took the second position in the ranking, followed by insulated electric conductors for a voltage under 1000 v, fitted with connectors (1.8M tons), insulated electric conductors for a voltage over 1000 v (1.3M tons), insulated coaxial cables (0.8M tons) and winding wire of copper (0.7M tons). All these products together took approx. 56% share of total exports.

Exports of insulated electric conductors for a voltage under 80 v, not fitted with connectors increased at an average annual rate of +2.9% from 2012 to 2022. At the same time, insulated electric conductors for a voltage over 1000 v (+3.2%), insulated electric conductors for a voltage under 1000 v, fitted with connectors (+2.7%), wiring sets used in vehicles, aircraft or ships (+2.2%) and insulated coaxial cables (+1.3%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, insulated electric conductors for a voltage over 1000 v emerged as the fastest-growing type exported in the world, with a CAGR of +3.2% from 2012-2022. Winding wire of copper experienced a relatively flat trend pattern. From 2012 to 2022, the share of insulated electric conductors for a voltage under 80 v, not fitted with connectors increased by +1.8 percentage points. The shares of the other products remained relatively stable throughout the analyzed period.

In value terms, the largest types of exported insulated wire and cable were wiring sets used in vehicles, aircraft or ships ($43.2B), insulated electric conductors for a voltage under 1000 v, fitted with connectors ($42.1B) and insulated electric conductors for a voltage under 80 v, not fitted with connectors ($40.3B), with a combined 83% share of global exports.

Insulated electric conductors for a voltage under 1000 v, fitted with connectors, with a CAGR of +6.2%, recorded the highest growth rate of the value of exports, in terms of the main exported products over the period under review, while shipments for the other products experienced more modest paces of growth.

Export Prices By Type

In 2022, the average wire and cable export price amounted to $13,357 per ton, approximately mirroring the previous year. Over the last decade, it increased at an average annual rate of +1.6%. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2021 an increase of 11%. The global export price peaked in 2022 and is expected to retain growth in years to come.

Prices varied noticeably by the product type; the product with the highest price was wiring sets used in vehicles, aircraft or ships ($24,464 per ton), while the average price for exports of winding wire, other than of copper ($7,088 per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by insulated electric conductors for a voltage under 1000 v, fitted with connectors (+3.4%), while the other products experienced more modest paces of growth.

Export Prices By Country

The average wire and cable export price stood at $13,357 per ton in 2022, approximately mirroring the previous year. Over the period from 2012 to 2022, it increased at an average annual rate of +1.6%. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2021 when the average export price increased by 11% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the average export prices reached the maximum in 2022 and is expected to retain growth in the immediate term.

Prices varied noticeably by country of origin: amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was the United States ($28,959 per ton), while Spain ($4,519 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 (+8.5%), while the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Market Intelligence Platform