Poland on the podium in the export of school supplies

Poland has a strong position among the largest exporters of school supplies in Europe. According to a report by Akcenta, prepared on the basis of data from the International Trade Centre (ITC), in 2024 our country was ranked 2nd in Europe in the export of exercise books and 6th in the sale of backpacks and ball point pens.

Backpacks and school bags – growing exports, but also competition from Asia

In 2024, Poland sold backpacks, school bags and satchels worth EUR 376 million abroad, an increase of 11% compared to the previous year. This gave our country a 1.86 per cent share in the global market and the 10th place globally and 6th in Europe.

Largest recipients:

• Germany – EUR 120.5 million (+18% y/y)
• Czech Republic – EUR 54.6 million (+17% y/y)
• France – EUR 23.3 million (+21% y/y)
• Italy – EUR 19.5 million (+19% y/y)
• Sweden – EUR 24.7 million (-20% y/y)

Exercise books and note books – second place in Europe

Exports of exercise books and note books from Poland reached EUR 195.2 million in 2024, which gives a 3.85% share in the global market, which places Poland in 5th place in the world and 2nd in Europe.

Largest recipients:

• Germany – €95.5 million
• United Kingdom – €18.3 million
• France – €17.2 million
• Czech  Republic -EUR 7.4 million
• Italy – EUR 6.4 million

Pens and ball point pens – a stable market with differences in sales

Polish exports of pens and ball point pens in 2024 reached EUR 116.2 million. This means a 1.66 per cent share in the global market and places our country on the 11th place globally and 6th in Europe.

Germany remained the largest recipient  (EUR 59.2 million, unchanged y/y). The Netherlands is waiting for a product of  EUR 17.2 million (-2% y/y), France at EUR 8.2 million (+12%), Italy at EUR 6 million (-17%), Czech Republic at EUR 5.5 million (+13%).

Crayons, chalks and pencils – a smaller segment, but an important one

The value of Polish exports of crayons, chalk and pencils in 2024 amounted to EUR 26.5 million. This is 1.52 per cent share in the global market, which gives Poland the 12th place in the world and the 5th place in Europe.

The largest recipients were:

• Germany – EUR 10.8 million (+8% y/y),
• Czech Republic – EUR 7.4 million (-4% y/y),
• Italy – EUR 1.89 million (+9% y/y).

Imports – the dominance of cheap products from China

Despite high exports, Poland still imports more than it sells. In 2024, more than half of the school supplies imported into the country came from China – between 51 and 59 percent depending on the category.

backpacks, bags and sachels – 57% of imports (EUR 265.5 million out of EUR 467 million in total).

• Exercise books note books – 52 per cent (EUR 43.1 million out of EUR 82.5 million).
• Ball point pens, markers and pens – 51 per cent (EUR 68 million out of EUR 134,5 million).
• Pencils, crayons and chalk – 59% (EUR 19.2 million out of EUR 32.8 million).

Polish manufacturers of school and office supplies, although they are able to effectively build their position on foreign markets and develop exports, are struggling with a clear deficit in foreign trade in this industry. The growing import of cheap products from Asia, especially China, and the changing preferences of consumers, who are increasingly willing to use the offer of discount stores and e-commerce platforms. This phenomenon is part of a broader, European trend. Polish companies are faced with the challenge of further diversification of exports, but above all, to build a competitive advantage based on quality, design and speed of delivery.

Source: Money.pl