Product intelligence · HS 481850 · 2024 data

Paper articles: apparel and clothing accessories of paper, cellulose wadding or fibres

Global exports of paper articles: apparel and clothing accessories of paper, cellulose wadding or fibres totalled $135,097,830 in 2024, a +5.2% change from the previous year. Traded by 123 countries across 1,976 bilateral corridors, with demand from 193 importing markets. The long-term trend is declining.

Data: OECD BIMTS · Coverage: 19952024 · Updated: 2026-07-17

Global trade

$135.1M

+5.2% YoY

3Y / 5Y CAGR

-9.7%

5Y: -1.7%

Supply structure

Diversified

HHI 0.103

Volatility

Low

Score 3/100

1.

Market movement

In 2024, paper articles: apparel and clothing accessories of paper, cellulose wadding or fibres trade exhibited strong growth, with global flows reaching $135,097,830 and a three-year compound annual growth rate of -9.7% (five-year: -1.7%). The all-time peak of $444,174,733 was recorded in 2020; the current level is 70% below that high-water mark.

Over the 30-year observation window (19952024), 41% of years recorded positive growth, indicating significant cyclicality with frequent contractions. Trend momentum is decelerating (-5.7% acceleration).

The World Trade Flows Characterization classifies paper articles: apparel and clothing accessories of paper, cellulose wadding or fibres as "One-way trade" in the medium price range price segment, providing additional context for market positioning and competitive dynamics.

2.

Supply & demand structure

The supply side is diversified (Herfindahl-Hirschman Index 0.103). The three largest exporters — China ($34.2M), Thailand ($14.4M), and Italy ($12.4M) — collectively dominate supply flows. The leading exporter has grown at -14.3% over the last three years.

On the demand side, importer concentration is diversified (HHI 0.039). The three largest import markets are Germany ($10.4M), Belgium ($9.8M), and France ($8.6M). The largest importing market sources from 39 different supplying countries.

Estimated substitution elasticity: -11.33. Buyers are highly price-sensitive and can switch between suppliers relatively easily.

The dominant trade corridor is China → Germany at $5.1M, representing 49.0% of the importer's total demand.

3.

Risk profile & trade outlook

The volatility score for paper articles: apparel and clothing accessories of paper, cellulose wadding or fibres is 3 out of 100, classified as low. Trade flows are relatively stable compared to other HS6 products, suggesting mature supply chains and predictable demand.

For market entrants, strong demand tailwinds create a favourable entry environment. The diversified supply landscape means many competitors but also multiple entry points and buyer relationships to target.

Data confidence is rated "High" based on reporting coverage and consistency across OECD member and partner countries.

Historical evidence

Annual trade value 19952024

Peak: $444,174,733 in 2020. Currently 70% below peak.

YearGlobal trade (USD)YoY growth
2015$170,687,643-15.8%
2016$172,020,401+0.8%
2017$151,719,708-11.8%
2018$152,761,425+0.7%
2019$147,090,286-3.7%
2020$444,174,733+202.0%
2021$183,307,939-58.7%
2022$137,976,351-24.7%
2023$128,359,822-7.0%
2024$135,097,830+5.2%

Top exporting countries

Ranked by export value of paper articles: apparel and clothing accessories of paper, cellulose wadding or fibres in 2024.

View all 123 exporters →

Top importing markets

Largest import destinations for paper articles: apparel and clothing accessories of paper, cellulose wadding or fibres.

View all 193 markets →

Leading trade corridors

Largest bilateral export flows for paper articles: apparel and clothing accessories of paper, cellulose wadding or fibres, ranked by value. Click any country to view its full profile.

#ExporterImporterValue 20243Y CAGR
1ChinaGermany$5.1M-16.8%
2NetherlandsGermany$1.9M-11.3%
3ItalyGermany$983.9K+73.3%
4PortugalGermany$808.7K-31.5%
5ThailandGermany$599.0K-17.4%
6LebanonGermany$167.7K
7BelgiumGermany$145.4K-15.0%
8MoroccoGermany$143.7K-20.3%

Showing top 8 of 10 corridors with available data for 2024.

Go deeper

Get the full intelligence picture

Interactive charts, AI-powered opportunity scoring, competitor benchmarking, and real-time alerts for paper articles: apparel and clothing accessories of paper, cellulose wadding or fibres. Free to start — no credit card required.

Sources, definitions & methodology

Data source

OECD Bilateral International Merchandise Trade Statistics (BIMTS). Aggregated from 312M+ reported trade records across 200+ countries and 5,300+ HS6 product codes. Coverage: 19952024.

Key indicators

HHI (Herfindahl-Hirschman Index): market concentration, 0 = fully diversified, 1 = single player. CAGR: compound annual growth rate over a stated period. Volatility score: trade value variability, 0–100 scale.

How this page is made

All statistical content on this page is data-driven, composed programmatically from live OECD trade records. No generic AI-generated prose is used. Analytical paragraphs combine real data points with factual interpretation. This page was last refreshed on 2026-07-17.