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Analysis and Studies - Products analysis

Glass mirrors: import and export

By SkyMinder Sales Enablement Team June 27th 2024

Mirrors origins date back to 6000BC, with people in current Turkey using polished stone, while Mesopotamian and Egyptians are believed to have created mirrors from polished copper. Over the centuries, metal remained the predominant material, but its need for frequent polishing and low reflectivity led to the demand for a better alternative. Hence, glass began to be used during the Renaissance, particularly in Venice where the technique was refined: until the advent of silvering process in Germany, that made mirrors more durable and affordable.                                                                                                      The evolution from polished stones to advanced manufacturing techniques highlights the progress of glass mirrors, reflecting humanity's advancements in science, craftsmanship, and artistic expression.

In 2022 the most significant exporter of glass mirrors was China with a trade of $2.96B, ahead of United States ($1.6B), Germany ($638M), Chinese Taipei ($257M), and Hungary ($257M). Whereas the country which imported them the most is United States with a trade of $1.41B, Germany ($1.01B), China ($429M), Japan ($384M), and Canada ($359M).

 China’s broad distributions underscores its dominant position in the global market. The United States concentrates on both the Asia-Pacific and North American regions, whereas Germany’s exports are primarily within Europe, expect for its significant trade with China.

 

Chinese Taipei has a diversified market, even though it shows a strong reliance on the United States, while Hungary prefers trades with neighboring European countries, with Germany being its largest importer.

  1. China (36.8%): 25.7% United States, 5.18% United Kingdom, 3.95% South Korea, 3.78% France, 3.68% Germany, 3.58% Japan, 3.22% Canada, 2.81% Australia
  2. United States (19.9%): 31.5% Germany, 15% Japan, 14.7% Canada, 12.1% China, 7.8% Mexico, 4.7% South Korea, 2.44% United Kingdom
  3. Germany (7.94%): 24.8% China, 7.69% France, 7.46% Belgium, 3.88% United Kingdom, 1.27% United States, 0.59% Japan
  4. Chinese Taipei (3.2%): 39.8% United States, 5.62% Italy, 4.04% Mexico, 3.97% Germany, 3.95% Belgium, 2.92% Japan, 2.66% China, 2.46% Canada
  5. Hungary (3.2%): 62.9% Germany, 18.6% Slovakia, 5.48% Czechia, 0.61% United States, 0.58% China, 0.11% Canada

China and the United States are both major players in global trade: China is the leader in exports, while the United States leads in imports. Germany shows a substantial import surplus, indicating its heavy consumption.

 

 

Canada's significant import reliance, paired with its limited export activity, highlights its position as a major consumer in North America. Among Asian countries, there’s a difference in the market diversification: China maintains a more balanced portfolio, whereas Japan, aside for its strong dependence on the United States, prefers regional ties, with intra-continental sources.

  1. United States (17.5%): 53.8% China, 14.6% Mexico, 7.26% Chinese Taipei, 4.28% South Korea, 0.57% Germany, 0.11% Hungary
  2. Germany (12.6%): 49.7% Unites States, 15.9% Hungary, 10.7% China, 5.1% Poland, 1.01% Chinese Taipei
  3. China (5.34%): 45% United States, 36.9% Germany, 5.84% United Kingdom, 4.04% Philippines, 1.6% Chinese Taipei, 0.35% Hungary
  4. Japan (4.78%): 62.4% United States, 27.4% China, 3.25% Thailand, 1.95% Chinese Taipei, 0.98% Germany
  5. Canada (4.47%): 65.2% United States, 26.4% China, 1.76% Chinese Taipei,1.29% Mexico, 0.32% Germany, 0.28% Japan

 Between 2021 and 2022, the country which saw the fastest growth in exports was the United States with an increase of $89.1M, followed by Mexico ($47.4M), China ($41.9M), Philippines ($31.8M), and Vietnam ($13.6M).

 

  1. United States: from $1.51B to $1.6B
  2. Mexico: from $172M to $219M
  3. China: from $2.91B to $2.96B
  4. Philippines: from $7.92M to $39.7M
  5. Vietnam: from $88.3M to $102M

Whereas as regards the imports grew the fastest in Canada with an increase of $50.5M, ahead of Mexico ($28.1M), India ($25.5M), United States ($24.4M), and Singapore ($23.9M).

 

 

  1. Canada: from $309M to $359M
  2. Mexico: from $193M to $221M
  3. India: from $84.8M to $110M
  4. United States: from $1.38B to $1.41B
  5. Singapore: from $24.5M to $48.4M

Sources:

https://oec.world/en