U.S. Smoothing Iron Imports
In April 2023, approximately 1.3M units of electric smoothing irons were imported into the United States; picking up by 18% against March 2023 figures. In general, total imports indicated mild growth from April 2022 to April 2023: its volume increased at an average monthly rate of +1.2% over the last twelve-month period. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on April 2023 figures, imports increased by +58.1% against February 2023 indices. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in May 2022 with an increase of 68% against the previous month. As a result, imports reached the peak of 1.9M units. From June 2022 to April 2023, the growth of imports remained at a lower figure.
In value terms, smoothing iron imports skyrocketed to $12M (IndexBox estimates) in April 2023. Overall, total imports indicated slight growth from April 2022 to April 2023: its value increased at an average monthly rate of +1.2% over the last twelve-month period. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on April 2023 figures, imports increased by +39.7% against February 2023 indices. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in May 2022 when imports increased by 81% m-o-m.
Over the period under review, imports attained the peak figure at 19M units in June 2022; however, from July 2022 to April 2023, imports stood at a somewhat lower figure.
Imports by Country
In April 2023, China (1.3M units) was the main smoothing iron supplier to the United States, with a approximately 97% share of total imports.
From April 2022 to April 2023, the average monthly rate of growth in terms of volume from China totaled +1.2%.
In value terms, China ($11M) constituted the largest supplier of smoothing iron to the United States.
From April 2022 to April 2023, the average monthly growth rate of value from China was relatively modest.
Import Prices by Country
In April 2023, the smoothing iron price stood at $9.1 per unit (CIF, US), with an increase of 9.8% against the previous month. Overall, the import price saw a relatively flat trend pattern. The growth pace was the most rapid in June 2022 an increase of 11% against the previous month. Over the period under review, average import prices hit record highs at $11.2 per unit in December 2022; however, from January 2023 to April 2023, import prices stood at a somewhat lower figure.
As there is only one major supplying country, the average price level is determined by prices for China.
From April 2022 to April 2023, the rate of growth in terms of prices for China amounted to -0.2% per month.