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Analysis and Studies - Products analysis

Parachutes: import and export

By SkyMinder Sales Enablement Team July 15th 2024

Parachutes are used in multiple fields, such as recreational skydiving, military operations, emergency evacuations and cargo drops.

Their history can be traced back to the Renaissance, when Leonardo da Vinci sketched a pyramid-shaped parachute design: however, the first successful parachute jump was made by a French aeronaut, André-Jacques Garnerin, at the end of the 18th century. The parachute was supported by a wooden frame, but the design evolved and the first knapsack parachute was created, which could be worn on the back and deployed quickly. At first it was mainly used for military purposes, but the introduction of the flexible and round canopy parachute significantly increased the popularity of skydiving.

In 2022, parachutes were the world's 1073rd most traded product, with a total trade of $427M. 

In 2022 the most significant exporter of parachutes was the United States with a trade of $127M, followed by Vietnam ($37.5M), United Kingdom ($29.9M), France ($28.8M), and Canada ($19.3M). Whereas the country which imported them the most was the United States with a trade of $57.3M, ahead of France ($43.1M), Germany ($39.7M), United Kingdom ($19.9M), and Switzerland ($15.2M).

The United States leads the parachute export market, both in terms of total volume and variety of destinations. Besides the leading country, other exporting countries also maintain a diverse range of markets, except for Canada, which is strongly dependent on the United States.

 

In Europe, regional integration facilitates significant intra-regional trade, particularly benefiting nations like the United Kingdom and France. Furthermore, emerging markets such as Vietnam are increasing their presence through robust economic partnerships.

  1. United States (29.8%): 9.5% Germany, 6.62% Saudi Arabia, 5.99% France, 5.97% Canada, 5.7% Philippines, 5.65% Australia, 5.34% United Kingdom, 4.9% Norway, 4.82% Japan, 0.58% Switzerland
  2. Vietnam (8.8%): 26.4% France, 17.1% Spain, 5.95% United States, 5.77% Germany, 5.3% South Korea, 4.19% Switzerland, 4.16% Hungary, 3.25% United Kingdom, 2.23% Japan, 1.58% Norway, 1.14% Canada
  3. United Kingdom (7%): 24.7% United States, 9.3% France, 6.37% Germany, 5.34% Spain, 4.79% Qatar, 3.46% Canada, 2.94% United Kingdom, 2.83% South Africa
  4. France (6.75%): 15% United States, 10.3% Germany, 9.81% Switzerland, 8.05% Austria, 6.73% United Kingdom, 6.51% South Africa, 3.56% Spain, 0.73% Canada
  5. Canada (4.52%): 84.8% United States, 6.73% Norway, 6.1% Canada, 0.14% Germany, 0.11% France

The United States emerges as the major importer, which relies on both neighboring and distant partners. Countries like Germany and the UK show significant dependence on the United States, highlighting its role as a major producer and the potential risks of supply disruptions.

 

In contrast, France and Switzerland have a diversified portfolio, reducing risks associated with supply chain disruptions and geopolitical tension. Furthermore, emerging suppliers like Sri Lanka and Thailand are gaining importance, adding diversity to the global supply chain.

  1. United States (13.4%): 28.5% Canada, 12.9% United Kingdom, 8.78% Mexico, 8.37% South Africa, 7.56% France, 3.9% Vietnam, 2.62% New Zealand, 2.24% Germany, 1.67% Sri Lanka
  2. France (10.1%): 23% Vietnam, 17.7% United States, 12.2% South Africa, 9.53% Thailand, 6.45% United Kingdom, 4.59% Spain, 3.93% Germany, 2.52% Sri Lanka
  3. Germany (9.3%): 30.5% United States, 12.8% Thailand, 12.4% Sri Lanka, 7.49% France, 5.46% Vietnam, 4.8% United Kingdom
  4. United Kingdom (4.67%): 34.1% United States, 10.3% Germany, 9.74% France, 6.12% Vietnam, 4.41% United Kingdom
  5. Switzerland (3.56%): 18.6% France, 17.2% Germany, 10.9% Spain, 10.4% Vietnam, 6.32% Hungary, 4.86% United States, 4.62% Thailand, 2.56% United Kingdom, 1.53% Sri Lanka

Between 2021 and 2022, the fastest growing exporter was the United States with an increase of $52.5M, ahead of France ($8.17M), Vietnam ($7.1M), Poland ($6.14M), and Luxembourg ($5.76M).

 

 

  1. United States: from $74.8M to $127M
  2. France: from $20.6M to $28.8M
  3. Vietnam: from $30.5M to $37.5M
  4. Poland: from $5.25M to $11.4M
  5. Luxembourg: from $357k to $6.12M

Whereas the imports grew the fastest in the United States with an increase of $11.5M, followed by United Kingdom ($7.56M), Philippines ($6.39M), Saudi Arabia ($4.95M), and Netherlands ($4.75M).

 

 

  1. United States: from $45.8M to $57.3M
  2. United Kingdom: from $12.4M to $19.9M
  3. Philippines: from $1.09M to $7.48M
  4. Saudi Arabia: from $5.26M to $10.2M
  5. Netherlands: from $4.5M to $9.24M

Sources: 

https://oec.world/en