This list reveals the top 10 handmade art importers based on their percentage of global import purchases (shown within parenthesis). In 2015, world handmade art imports totaled US$45.7 billion.
African Importers
Africa imported $87.1 million worth of handmade art led by the following countries:
1. Liberia: $31.8 million
2. South Africa: $18.2 million
3. Ethiopia: $6 million
4. Egypt: $5.7 million
5. Senegal: $2.8 million
6. Nigeria: $2.4 million
7. Algeria: $2.3 million
8. Seychelles: $2.11 million
9. Côte d'Ivoire: $2.06 million
10. Angola: $1.9 million
Asian Importers
Asia imported $4.1 billion worth of handmade art led by the following countries:
1. Hong Kong: $2.4 billion
2. Japan: $418.1 million
3. China: $398.2 million
4. Singapore: $305.6 million
5. South Korea: $197.9 million
6. India: $87.9 million
7. Taiwan: $59.6 million
8. North Korea: $47.9 million
9. Turkey: $35.6 million
10. Malaysia: $11.2 million
European Union Importers
European Union imported $25.9 billion worth of handmade art led by the following EU members:
1. France: $17.6 billion
2. United Kingdom: $6.3 billion
3. Germany: $853.1 million
4. Netherlands: $395.6 million
5. Austria: $257.6 million
6. Italy: $141.5 million
7. Belgium: $131.7 million
8. Spain: $72.7 million
9. Denmark: $48.1 million
10. Sweden: $35.8 million
Latin American and Caribbean Importers
Latin America (excluding Mexico) and the Caribbean imported $459.3 million worth of handmade art led by the following countries:
1. Venezuela: $233.3 million
2. Bahamas: $129.2 million
3. Brazil: $39.4 million
4. British Virgin Is: $16 million
5. Cayman Islands: $8.3 million
6. Chile: $5.4 million
7. Anguilla: $5 million
8. Panama: $2.9 million
9. Peru: $2.6 million
10. Netherlands Antilles: $2.5 million
Middle Eastern Importers
Middle East imported $438.3 million worth of handmade art led by the following countries:
1. United Arab Emirates: $237 million
2. Lebanon: $63.4 million
3. Qatar: $52.2 million
4. Israel: $42.2 million
5. Kuwait: $17.9 million
6. Saudi Arabia: $10.9 million
7. Iran: $6 million
8. Iraq: $3.2 million
9. Oman: $3.1 million
10. Bahrain: $1.9 million
North American Importers
North America imported $12 billion worth of handmade art led by the following countries:
1. United States: $11.7 billion
2. Canada: $330.5 million
3. Mexico: $56.4 million
To see the fastest-growing art importers from 2011 to 2015, use the slidebar on the accompanying list. Overall, the 5-year percentage gain for globally imported handmade art was 102.4%.
Data source: Trade Map, International Trade Centre, www.intracen.org/marketanalysis
Top Handmade Art Importers 2015
Fastest-Growing Artwork Import Markets
Research Note: Import numbers rarely match the source exporters’ stats. Reasons for import-export statistical discrepancies include re-exports, time lags, misallocations, distinct trade reporting systems, different quantity measurements and country confidentiality rules. Also, transportation and insurance costs are sometimes added to import totals.
Oceanian Importers
Oceania imported $213.4 million worth of handmade art led by the following countries:
1. Australia: $163.6 million
2. New Zealand: $43.8 million
3. French Polynesia: $2.7 million
4. Cook Islands: $1.3 million
5. New Caledonia: $797,000
6. Marshall Islands: $563,000
7. Fiji: $253,000
8. Papua New Guinea: $161,000
9. Tokelau: $99,000
10. Palau: $50,000
