Trade Trends
Global exports of lasers, excluding laser diodes, declined slightly from $7.79B in 2019 to $7.54B in 2023, reflecting a 3.18% contraction over the five-year period. The market peaked in 2021 at $10.11B before entering a downturn, with 2023 marking the lowest export value during this timeframe.
This pattern highlights the sensitivity of the laser export market to global economic cycles, supply chain constraints, and shifting technological requirements across industries such as manufacturing, healthcare, telecommunications, and research. The strong performance in 2021 likely reflected heightened industrial investment and innovation, while the subsequent decline points to demand normalization, geopolitical uncertainty, and delayed capital expenditure in key end-use sectors.
Top Trading Countries
- Germany retained its position as the world’s leading exporter, reaching $2.11B in 2023, up from $1.80B in 2019. This represents a 17.64% increase over the period. Exports softened slightly in 2024, declining to $2.00B, a 5.34% drop from 2023.
- United States exported $1.46B in 2023, compared to $1.23B in 2019, marking an 18.36% increase. However, exports fell to $1.36B in 2024, reflecting a 6.63% decline from the previous year.
- China recorded $652.35M in exports in 2023, down from $688.82M in 2019, a 5.29% decrease. A modest recovery followed in 2024, with exports rising to $671.49M, a 2.93% increase from 2023.
- South Korea experienced a sharp contraction, with exports dropping from $1.53B in 2019 to $490.60M in 2023, a 67.87% decline. The downturn continued in 2024, with exports falling further to $385.52M, down 21.42% from 2023.
- United Kingdom showed steady expansion, growing from $345.82M in 2019 to $405.61M in 2023, a 17.29% increase. Exports rose further to $425.45M in 2024, reflecting a 4.89% year-on-year growth.
On the Rise
- Lithuania emerged as a standout performer, with exports increasing from $56.92M in 2019 to $107.13M in 2023, an 88.22% rise. Growth accelerated in 2024, reaching $131.18M, a 22.45% increase from 2023.
- Taiwan expanded from $109.19M in 2019 to $158.61M in 2023, reflecting a 45.26% increase. Exports climbed further to $173.68M in 2024, up 9.5% year on year.
- Netherlands grew exports from $252.21M in 2019 to $289.49M in 2023, a 14.78% increase, and continued its upward trend in 2024 with exports reaching $318.68M, a 10.09% rise.
- Japan increased exports from $243.07M in 2019 to $267.41M in 2023, a 10.01% gain, followed by further growth to $288.19M in 2024, reflecting a 7.77% increase.
- Italy posted steady growth, rising from $37.24M in 2019 to $43.64M in 2023, a 17.2% increase, and further to $48.95M in 2024, up 12.17%.
These emerging exporters highlight the diversification of global laser production and trade, with smaller and mid-sized markets steadily strengthening their positions in high-technology manufacturing.
Disclaimer
These insights are based on available trade data and may not represent the full market reality.
