• Analysis and Studies
• Telescopes: import and export

Telescopes are powerful tools that allow us to view distant objects in space by gathering and focusing light. Using either lenses, mirrors, or a combination of both, telescopes make it possible to see faint or far-off celestial bodies in detail. Refracting telescopes use lenses to produce sharp views, ideal for observing planets and the Moon, whereas reflecting telescopes use mirrors and are suited to observing faint, deep-sky objects like galaxies. Catadioptric telescopes combine both lenses and mirrors, making them compact and versatile for a wide range of viewing.

Key parts include an objective lens or mirror to collect light, an eyepiece for magnification, and a mount for stability. Space telescopes like Hubble and James Webb have revolutionized our understanding by capturing detailed images of distant galaxies, while powerful ground-based telescopes like Chile’s Very Large Telescope continue to provide insights, deepening our understanding of the universe.

In 2022, telescopes were the world's 2515th most traded product, with a total trade of $741M, and between 2021 and 2022 the exports decreased by -3.78%, from $770M to $741M.

In 2022 the country which exported telescopes the most was China, with a trade of $301M, followed by the United States ($86.4M), Switzerland ($49M), Germany ($38.9M), and Lithuania ($36.7M). Whereas the most significant importer was the United States, with a trade of $199M, ahead of Germany ($58.7M), United Kingdom ($35.3M), Canada ($29.7M), and Poland ($27.5M).

We can observe a balance between China's dominance in mass production and other countries' focus on niche, high-quality markets, reflecting a blend of global cooperation and specialization. China produces telescopes especially for the United States and European countries like Germany and the United Kingdom.

The United States targets key markets such as Canada and Saudi Arabia, focusing on high-value and defense-related products, while Switzerland and Germany concentrate on precision optics, exporting primarily to advanced economies like the United States and neighboring European nations, known for their high-quality production. Lithuania, with 4.95%, is emerging as a competitive player, exporting to markets like the United States and United Kingdom.

1. China (40.6%): 40.1% United States, 7.69% Germany, 5.43% United Kingdom, 3.55% Netherlands, 3.51% South Korea, 3.27% Poland, 3.26% France, 3.05% Japan, 3.04% Australia, 2.93% Canada, 2.05% Italy,59% Hong Kong
2. United States (11.7%): 21.4% Canada, 19% Saudi Arabia, 3.7% Australia, 3.66% Italy, 3.66% Spain, 3.13% Chile, 3.12% Qatar, 2.5% Malaysia, 2.45% Germany, 2.28% Philippines, 2.05% United Kingdom, 1.79% Poland, 1.15% South Africa
3. Switzerland (6.61%): 41% United States, 18.1% Germany, 8.78% Netherlands, 5.79% France, 5.68% United Kingdom, 4.7% Australia, 2.17% South Africa
4. Germany (5.25%): 15.1% Israel, 13% France, 7.04% Poland, 5.8% Spain, 5.16% Netherlands, 4.09% United Kingdom, 3.65% Italy, 3.63% United States, 3.2% Austria, 2.81% Singapore, 2.63% Czechia, 2.19% Slovakia
5. Lithuania (4.95%): 19.3% United States, 13.7% United Kingdom, 11.4% Germany, 4.8% Sweden, 4.64% Austria, 2.24% Czechia, 3.83% Finland, 3.35% Latvia, 2.1% Australia, 2% New Zealand, 1.84% Italy, 1.29% Netherlands

The graphic highlights the global dependence on China's manufacturing and regional partnerships for high-quality optics. We can observe that the United States, the top telescope importer, mainly sources from China (for 60.7% of its imports) and Europe, reflecting a mix of cost-effective and high-quality imports.

Germany and the United Kingdom also rely heavily on Chinese imports, with notable contributions from Switzerland and Lithuania. Canada primarily imports from the United States, emphasizing regional trade ties, while Poland has a diverse mix of suppliers, led by China and Luxembourg.

1. United States (26.8%): 60.7% China, 10.1% Switzerland, 7.28% United Kingdom, 3.56% Lithuania, 3.44% Japan,45% France, 2.28% Austria, 1.52% Chinese Taipei, 1.1% Chile
2. Germany (7.92%): 39.4% China, 15.1% Switzerland, 7.25% Japan, 7.1% Lithuania, 5.87% Netherlands, 3.61% United States, 2.67% Austria, 2.24% Chinese Taipei, 1.8% France, 1.39% United Kingdom
3. United Kingdom (4.77%): 46.3% China, 14.2% Lithuania, 7.88% Switzerland, 5.01% United States, 4.51% Germany, 3.57% Latvia, 2.46% Austria, 1.9% Japan, 1.67% United Kingdom, 1.48% Chinese Taipei, 1.18% France
4. Canada (4%): 62.4% United States, 29.7% China, 2.7% Austria, 0.95% Lithuania, 0.87% Japan
5. Poland (3.72%): 35.7% China, 22.1% Luxembourg, 11.1% Spain, 9.95% Germany, 5.63% United States, 3.39% Lithuania, 1.9% Canada, 1.62% Latvia

Between 2021 and 2022, the country with the fastest growth in exports was the United States, with an increase of $23.8M, followed by Greece ($17.5M), Luxembourg ($7.98M), Spain ($5.53M), and Czechia ($5.09M).

1. United States: from $62.6M to $86.4M
2. Greece: from $5.31M to $22.8M
3. Luxembourg: from $2.61M to $10.6M
4. Spain: from $2.88M to $8.41M
5. Czechia: from $4.44M to $9.54M

Whereas the fastest growing importer was Poland, with an increase of $15.6M, ahead of Saudi Arabia ($15.5M), Ukraine ($13.3M), South Korea ($7.79M), and Sweden ($6.15M).

1. Poland: from $11.9M to $27.5M
2. Saudi Arabia: from $1.71M to $17.2M
3. Ukraine: from $1.93M to $15.2M
4. South Korea: from $5.45M to $13.2M
5. Sweden: from $19.8M to $26M

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