The import and export status of global kitchenware market

2024-12-21

In the context of global economic integration, the kitchenware market is an important part of daily life, and its development trend and trade flow have attracted much attention. This article is based on the "2024 Overseas Market Trend Analysis of Kitchen Utensils" report, which provides an in-depth analysis of the import and export status of the global kitchen utensils market, the market performance of key countries, and China's competitive advantages in the global market.

1. China’s leading position in the global kitchenware market

In the global kitchenware market, China dominates the market with its absolute leadership. In 2023, China's steel, ceramics, and glass exports will account for 67%, 66%, and 49% of the world respectively. China's advantages are mainly due to its strong production capacity, low-cost manufacturing and government policy support, giving China a significant competitive advantage in the global market. China's kitchenware exports include plastics, bamboo products, ceramics, stainless steel and glass, with total exports reaching US$59.6 billion in 2023, a decrease of 4.02% from US$62.1 billion in 2022. Although the total export volume has declined, the latest data shows that from January to June 2024, China's tableware exports rebounded significantly in February and then remained at a relatively stable level, basically consistent with the trend in 2023.

The main export regions of China's kitchen utensils include the United States, Japan, Malaysia, the United Kingdom, Vietnam, etc. Asia and Europe are the main export regions of China's kitchen utensils, followed by North America and the Middle East. As Africa’s largest trading partner, China，with the steady and rapid development of the African economy, people's health consciousness has been gradually improved, and higher demand for quality of life has been put forward. Kitchenware, as one of the important categories for the improvement of quality of life, has seen a particularly rapid growth in sales.

At the same time, China currently has the world's largest production capacity of kitchenware and small household electrical appliances, due to the relatively weak industrial base in Africa, a large number of kitchenware products are still dependent on imports. This also provides a very good market opportunity for Chinese kitchenware enterprises exporting to Africa.

1. Size of the African kitchenware market

According to the analysis of "Kitchenware - Africa | Statista Market Forecast", the revenue of the African kitchenware market is expected to be US$3.3 billion in 2024 (excluding electric heating devices, coffee or spice grinders with metal working parts, tableware, knives, glassware, kitchen utensils and tools, and kitchen appliances). It is expected that by 2025, the size of the African kitchenware market will reach approximately US$5.2 billion, with a compound annual growth rate of approximately 6.5%.

Business Market Insights predicts in its report that the smart kitchen appliance market in the Middle East and Africa is expected to increase from US$755.7 million in 2021 to US$2,120.5 million in 2028, with a projected compound annual growth rate of 15.9% from 2021 to 2028.

3. Growth and change trends

In the African kitchenware market, durable kitchenware products such as stainless steel and aluminum kitchenware used in traditional households are the main sales categories, with an annual compound growth rate of approximately 6%. More convenient kitchen appliances, especially those in the mechanical and electronic product categories, are growing faster, with an annual compound growth rate of approximately 15%. This also objectively reflects the overall trend of African household consumption, that is, with the acceleration of urbanization, the infrastructure has gradually improved, which has promoted the upgrading and electrification of consumer categories.

4. Challenges behind opportunities

The culture and consumption habits of African countries are very different from those of China. The food culture is even more different. Chinese companies need to have a deep understanding of the local market in order to adjust product design and marketing strategies to ensure that their products can meet the needs of local consumers.

Although the African market has great development potential, as an overseas emerging market, it still faces many challenges. Companies need to do a good job of market research to seize business opportunities and insist on taking root in the local area to maintain long-termism.