Usa: international trade of frames analysis

Based on Vision Council of America's International Optical Trade Analysis (Iota), the U.S. international trade of frames contracted in the first quarter of 2004 with exports decreasing faster than imports.

Frame imports dropped 4.9 percent to a total of 112.4 million pairs, while exports fell by a significant 15.4 percent reaching only 2.0 million pairs.

While volume of frames in the international market slowed, prices continued to accelerate. Prices of frames imported to the U.S. increased by 9.8 percent from the previous year. Frames exported from the U.S. expanded even faster at 27.4 percent. Due to the considerable price growths, the value of U.S. international trade of frames remained strong. Frame import value was up 4.4 percent, while exports climbed by 7.8 percent.

China continued to dominate the import market. Approximately 6 out of every 10 imported frames are of Chinese origin. Based on value, however, China only placed second. Italy remained number one, accounting for 32 percent of the total import value.

Looking at the export side of the market, Canada proved to be the largest market for U.S. frames both in volume (nearly 1/3 of the total U.S. export) and value (more than half of the total).