Black printing ink market in Italy

Earlier Report Observations

The Italian black printing ink market underwent significant volatility between 2018 and 2024. Starting at 11 532 tons in 2018, consumption rose marginally to 11 779 tons the following year. However, 2020 saw a steep drop to 9 692 tons, reducing the market by nearly 18%.

A dramatic recovery occurred in 2021, pushing market volume to a peak of 13 500 tons. This surge proved short-lived, as demand contracted to 10 479 tons in 2022 and continued falling to 9 121 tons in 2023.

The downturn accelerated in 2024, with the market shrinking to 5 680 tons – a decrease of over 37% from 2023 and less than half of the 2021 high. This contraction reflected parallel declines in domestic production and imports over the latter part of the period.

Production black printing ink in Italy

In value, 2017-2020, K $ US

Italy's black printing ink production declined for the third consecutive year. In 2020, output was valued at 16 999 thousand US dollars, reflecting a slight drop of 0.9% compared to the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, production decreased by 50.6%, which equates to an annualized rate of 20.9%.

Annual dynamics of production in Italy in value, 2017-2020, K $ US

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Black printing ink production in Italy fell for the third year in a row. In 2020, Italy produced 4 641 tonnes of black printing ink, marking a significant decrease of 13.5% from the year before. From 2017 to 2020, production dropped by 59.7%, corresponding to an annualized rate of 26.1%.

Annual dynamics of production in Italy in kind, 2017-2020, t

Exports black printing ink from Italy

Exports in kind, t

Italy's black printing ink export volume declined for the third consecutive year. In 2020, exports totaled 4 532 tonnes, showing a slight drop of 1.9% compared to 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, exports decreased by 24.5%, with a compound annual growth rate of -9.0%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Italy in kind, 2017-2020, t

The structure of exports in kind from 2017 to 2020 reveals a diversified set of partners. Germany accounted for 38.2% of exports in kind, Poland for 6.0%, and Turkey for 4.7%, together making up 48.8% of total flows. The remaining 51.2% was distributed among numerous smaller markets.

Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's exports from Italy in kind, 2017-2020

Exports in value, K $ US

Black printing ink exports from Italy declined for the third consecutive year. In 2020, Italy exported 31 985 thousand US dollars worth of black printing ink, indicating a fall of 4.5% from the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, exports decreased by 38.3%, equating to an annualized rate of 14.9%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Italy in value, 2017-2020, K $ US

From 2017 to 2020, there was no single dominant market for black printing ink exports in value terms. Germany held 15.7% of exports, the United States 10.6%, and Turkey 7.9%, together accounting for 34.3% of total exports. Many smaller partners each contributed modest individual shares to the remaining portion.

Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's exports from Italy in value, 2017-2020

Imports black printing ink to Italy

Imports in kind, t

In 2020, Italy's black printing ink import volume amounted to 9 583 tonnes, representing a robust drop of 13.1% relative to the prior year. Between 2017 and 2020, imports decreased by 21.1%, equating to an annualized rate of 7.6%. The largest increase was recorded in 2019 at 2.6%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Italy in kind, 2017-2020, t

From 2017 to 2020, Germany was the main supplier of black printing ink to Italy, accounting for 62.4% of imports in kind, followed by the Netherlands at 16.3% and Spain at 7.2%. Together, these three countries comprised 85.9% of total imports in kind.

Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's imports to Italy in kind, 2017-2020

Imports in value, K $ US

In 2020, Italy imported black printing ink valued at 31 985 thousand US dollars, indicating a decline of 14.7% year-on-year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, imports decreased by 50.6%, with a compound annual growth rate of -21.0%. The largest decline was recorded in 2018 at 43.7%, while the largest increase occurred in 2019 at 2.8%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Italy in value, 2017-2020, K $ US

Throughout 2017 to 2020, three key markets—Germany, the Netherlands, and France—dominated Italy's black printing ink imports in value terms, together accounting for 71.6% of total flows.

Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's imports to Italy in value, 2017-2020