Product intelligence · HS 821192 · 2024 data

Knives: having fixed cutting blades, (other than table knives), serrated or not, excluding knives and blades of heading no. 8208

Global exports of knives: having fixed cutting blades, (other than table knives), serrated or not, excluding knives and blades of heading no. 8208 totalled $1,177,696,373 in 2024, a -0.8% change from the previous year. Traded by 166 countries across 5,245 bilateral corridors, with demand from 198 importing markets. The long-term trend is declining.

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

Global trade

$1.2B

-0.8% YoY

3Y / 5Y CAGR

-6.8%

5Y: +2.6%

Supply structure

Moderately concentrated

HHI 0.245

Volatility

Low

Score 9/100

1.

Market movement

In 2024, knives: having fixed cutting blades, (other than table knives), serrated or not, excluding knives and blades of heading no. 8208 trade exhibited slight decline, with global flows reaching $1,177,696,373 and a three-year compound annual growth rate of -6.8% (five-year: +2.6%). The all-time peak of $1,454,501,158 was recorded in 2021; the current level is 19% below that high-water mark.

Over the 30-year observation window (19952024), 72% of years recorded positive growth, indicating a predominantly expanding market. Trend momentum is decelerating (-8.0% acceleration).

The World Trade Flows Characterization classifies knives: having fixed cutting blades, (other than table knives), serrated or not, excluding knives and blades of heading no. 8208 as "One-way trade" in the low price range price segment, providing additional context for market positioning and competitive dynamics.

2.

Supply & demand structure

The supply side is moderately concentrated (Herfindahl-Hirschman Index 0.245). The three largest exporters — China ($547.2M), Germany ($145.4M), and Japan ($90.4M) — collectively dominate supply flows. The leading exporter has grown at -6.6% over the last three years.

On the demand side, importer concentration is diversified (HHI 0.070). The three largest import markets are United States ($267.8M), Germany ($94.0M), and France ($45.8M). The largest importing market sources from 71 different supplying countries.

Estimated substitution elasticity: -2.35. Buyers have moderate flexibility to shift sourcing, but face some switching costs.

The dominant trade corridor is China → United States at $142.4M, representing 53.2% of the importer's total demand.

3.

Risk profile & trade outlook

The volatility score for knives: having fixed cutting blades, (other than table knives), serrated or not, excluding knives and blades of heading no. 8208 is 9 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, contracting demand signals caution before committing resources. A moderately concentrated market rewards differentiated positioning and strategic partner selection.

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

Historical evidence

Annual trade value 19952024

Peak: $1,454,501,158 in 2021. Currently 19% below peak.

YearGlobal trade (USD)YoY growth
2015$1,010,133,188-3.4%
2016$1,014,005,884+0.4%
2017$1,072,522,258+5.8%
2018$1,091,725,067+1.8%
2019$1,035,011,145-5.2%
2020$1,078,083,096+4.2%
2021$1,454,501,158+34.9%
2022$1,412,474,671-2.9%
2023$1,187,721,808-15.9%
2024$1,177,696,373-0.8%

Top exporting countries

Ranked by export value of knives: having fixed cutting blades, (other than table knives), serrated or not, excluding knives and blades of heading no. 8208 in 2024.

View all 166 exporters →

Top importing markets

Largest import destinations for knives: having fixed cutting blades, (other than table knives), serrated or not, excluding knives and blades of heading no. 8208.

View all 198 markets →

Leading trade corridors

Largest bilateral export flows for knives: having fixed cutting blades, (other than table knives), serrated or not, excluding knives and blades of heading no. 8208, ranked by value. Click any country to view its full profile.

#ExporterImporterValue 20243Y CAGR
1ChinaUnited States$142.4M-8.7%
2SwitzerlandGermany$32.9M-0.9%
3JapanUnited States$31.3M-5.0%
4GermanyUnited States$31.0M-17.1%
5ChinaGermany$26.0M-11.1%
6ChinaAustralia$24.4M+6.0%
7ChinaFrance$19.2M+1.7%
8ChinaRussia$18.9M-25.6%

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

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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.