China's Imitation Jewelry Market to Reach 80K Tons and $1.5B by 2035
riven by increasing demand, the imitation jewelry market in China is expected to see steady growth with a CAGR of +0.5% in volume and +0.8% in value from 2024 to 2035. By the end of 2035, the market volume is projected to reach 80K tons, while the market value is expected to reach $1.5B in nominal prices. Market Forecast Driven by increasing demand for imitation jewelry in China, the market is expected to continue an upward consumption trend over the next decade. Market performance is forecast to retain its current trend pattern, expanding with an anticipated CAGR of +0.5% for the period from 2024 to 2035, which is projected to bring the market volume to 80K tons by the end of 2035. In value terms, the market is forecast to increase with an anticipated CAGR of +0.8% for the period from 2024 to 2035, which is projected to bring the market value to $1.5B (in nominal wholesale prices) by the end of 2035.
Consumption
China's Consumption of Imitation Jewellery In 2024, consumption of imitation jewelry decreased by -0.7% to 76K tons, falling for the fourth consecutive year after two years of growth. In general, consumption, however, continues to indicate a relatively flat trend pattern. Over the period under review, consumption attained the maximum volume at 80K tons in 2020; however, from 2021 to 2024, consumption remained at a lower figure. The value of the imitation jewellery market in China declined to $1.4B in 2024, shrinking by -7.6% against the previous year. This figure reflects the total revenues of producers and importers (excluding logistics costs, retail marketing costs, and retailers' margins, which will be included in the final consumer price). Overall, the total consumption indicated a notable increase from 2013 to 2024: its value increased at an average annual rate of +2.7% over the last eleven-year period. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2024 figures, consumption decreased by -8.8% against 2021 indices. Over the period under review, the market hit record highs at $1.5B in 2021; however, from 2022 to 2024, consumption stood at a somewhat lower figure.
Production
China's Production of Imitation Jewellery
For the fourth consecutive year, China recorded growth in production of imitation jewelry, which increased by 6.6% to 283K tons in 2024. The total output volume increased at an average annual rate of +5.0% over the period from 2013 to 2024; however, the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded in certain years. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2014 with an increase of 48%. Imitation jewellery production peaked in 2024 and is expected to retain growth in the immediate term. In value terms, imitation jewellery production reduced modestly to $5.3B in 2024 estimated in export price. Over the period under review, the total production indicated strong growth from 2013 to 2024: its value increased at an average annual rate of +7.7% over the last eleven-year period. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2024 figures, production increased by +78.8% against 2020 indices. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2014 when the production volume increased by 55%. Over the period under review, production hit record highs at $5.4B in 2023, and then shrank slightly in the following year. Please mention the
Imports
In 2024, approx. 3.2K tons of imitation jewelry were imported into China; increasing by 76% on 2023. Over the period under review, imports enjoyed moderate growth. Over the period under review, imports reached the peak figure at 3.4K tons in 2014; however, from 2015 to 2024, imports remained at a lower figure.
In value terms, imitation jewellery imports surged to $475M in 2024. Overall, total imports indicated a resilient expansion from 2013 to 2024: its value increased at an average annual rate of +5.4% over the last eleven-year period. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2018 with an increase of 41%. Imports peaked at $547M in 2019; however, from 2020 to 2024, imports failed to regain momentum.
In 2024, the United States (1.5K tons) constituted the largest imitation jewellery supplier to China, accounting for a 48% share of total imports. Moreover, imitation jewellery imports from the United States exceeded the figures recorded by the second-largest supplier, Japan (715 tons), twofold. Hong Kong SAR (403 tons) ranked third in terms of total imports with a 13% share.
From 2013 to 2024, the average annual growth rate of volume from the United States stood at +47.8%. The remaining supplying countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: Japan (+54.6% per year) and Hong Kong SAR (-6.3% per year).
In value terms, the largest imitation jewellery suppliers to China were Japan ($192M), Hong Kong SAR ($117M) and the United States ($81M), with a combined 82% share of total imports.
Japan, with a CAGR of +57.1%, saw the highest growth rate of the value of imports, among the main suppliers over the period under review, while purchases for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.
The average imitation jewellery import price stood at $149,036 per ton in 2024, reducing by -29.8% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the import price, however, saw a noticeable increase. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2020 an increase of 35% against the previous year. The import price peaked at $271,616 per ton in 2022; however, from 2023 to 2024, import prices failed to regain momentum.
There were significant differences in the average prices amongst the major supplying countries. In 2024, amid the top importers, the country with the highest price was Italy ($571,488 per ton), while the price for Spain ($19,109 per ton) was amongst the lowest.
From 2013 to 2024, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by South Korea (+28.8%), while the prices for the other major suppliers experienced more modest paces of growth.
In 2024, overseas shipments of imitation jewelry increased by 10% to 211K tons, rising for the fourth consecutive year after two years of decline. In general, total exports indicated a resilient expansion from 2013 to 2024: its volume increased at an average annual rate of +7.2% over the last eleven-year period. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2024 figures, exports increased by +81.8% against 2020 indices. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2014 when exports increased by 79%. Over the period under review, the exports hit record highs in 2024 and are likely to see gradual growth in the immediate term.
In value terms, imitation jewellery exports dropped modestly to $4.9B in 2024. Over the period under review, exports enjoyed prominent growth. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2021 with an increase of 111%. Over the period under review, the exports reached the maximum at $5.1B in 2023, and then dropped modestly in the following year.
The United States (35K tons) was the main destination for imitation jewellery exports from China, with a 17% share of total exports. Moreover, imitation jewellery exports to the United States exceeded the volume sent to the second major destination, India (12K tons), threefold. The third position in this ranking was taken by Brazil (9K tons), with a 4.3% share.
From 2013 to 2024, the average annual growth rate of volume to the United States amounted to +1.5%. Exports to the other major destinations recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: India (+16.1% per year) and Brazil (+12.5% per year).
In value terms, the United States ($793M), Singapore ($575M) and Malaysia ($541M) were the largest markets for imitation jewellery exported from China worldwide, with a combined 39% share of total exports.
Among the main countries of destination, Singapore, with a CAGR of +50.1%, recorded the highest rates of growth with regard to the value of exports, over the period under review, while shipments for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.
The average imitation jewellery export price stood at $23,144 per ton in 2024, which is down by -13.3% against the previous year. Overall, the export price, however, recorded a strong increase. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2021 an increase of 65% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the average export prices reached the peak figure at $26,709 per ton in 2023, and then dropped in the following year.
There were significant differences in the average prices for the major export markets. In 2024, amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was Hong Kong SAR ($98,267 per ton), while the average price for exports to Pakistan ($4,760 per ton) was amongst the lowest.
From 2013 to 2024, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was recorded for supplies to Malaysia (+22.1%), while the prices for the other major destinations experienced more modest paces of growth.