Trends Report (Cont’d from Page 1)
than last at 32 , down 2 percent. North America, South/Central America and Asia were up, with Eu- rope down 5 percent. All markets were fairly flat this year, but all showed great confidence for next year. For the second year running, printers raised pric- es globally; this after seven years of falling prices. Revenues grew at the fastest rate by far and mar- gins decreased at the slowest rate ever recorded. The pattern was not universal, with Europe and South/Central America reporting a more mixed situation. Suppliers reported a similar upbeat as- sessment. Commercial pricing is strong, net balance average +57 percent for the last two years compared with an average of -21 percent 2013-2017. Publishing is also an average +57 percent last two years; average -18 percent 2013-2017.These figures suggest the beginnings of better times for both market sectors. The stronger financial performance for the industry as a whole is welcome, as long as it does not crum- ble under wider inflationary pressures. Every year we ask printers to assess the net print volume by print technology. Flexo grows fast in packaging and Digital toner cutsheet color is far ahead of all other digital processes in all markets.
Globally in 2023, 44 percent stated their compa- ny’s current economic situation was ‘good’, and 12 percent described it as ‘poor’ while the remaining 44 percent described it as ‘satisfactory’. The net pos- itive balance being +32 percent i.e. 44 percent mi- nus 12 percent, is the overall result shown as the green column in the chart, 14 percent better than in 2022. It is this net positive or negative balance that is shown in many of the charts that follow. It is not all good news. Germany was downbeat at +12 percent, the same as 2022. Yet the Rest of Eu- rope was +34 percent. North American (N. America) sentiment softened to +50 percent from the peak last year. However, South/Central America (S/C. America) +24 percent, Africa +34 percent, Middle East +52 percent (small data set) and Australia/Oce- ania +56 percent (small data set) all recovered well from previous lows. Looking ahead, all regions, ex- cept Australia/Oceania, expect better performance in 2024, although Germany at just +4 percent is far more cautious than most. Looking at markets, there is a striking recovery in confidence amongst Commercial and Publishing printers across the globe, while Packaging contin- ues in its confident fashion. Suppliers were a little more cautious this year
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Flexo Market News December 4, 2023 3
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