Global LED light bulb retail prices in February 2013 continued to fall, and in particular, retail prices of retrofit 40W LED light bulbs fell 8.2% to US$17.8/unit, according to studies. Retail prices for retrofit 60W LED light bulbs fell an average of 13% to US$25.7/unit. The price falls were due to the inclusion of pricing from the China and Taiwan markets where prices are relatively low, pulling down the global average.
According to research institutes, the average price of retrofit 40W LED light bulbs in China is relatively low compared to other regions at US$11/unit, and most prices of LED light bulbs from domestic brands are less than US$10/unit with the lowest at US$5.50/unit. Prices of retrofit 40W LED light bulbs in Taiwan are also relatively low with the price of most domestic brands below US$8.80/unit. According to the data, prices in the UK market fell by 0.6% in February due to the appreciation of its currency. The price of the same product also fell in Japan by 11%. However, prices for retrofit 40W LED light bulbs in the US market increased 5.9%, caused by new products that have higher retail prices.
As for the February prices of retrofit 60W LED light bulbs, in China, the lowest price was US$7.80/unit and the average price in Taiwan was US$14.80/unit. Prices of retrofit 60W LED light bulbs in Japan fell by 5.8% in February to US$26.80/unit and prices in South Korea fell by 2%. February prices of retrofit 60W LED light bulbs also fell in the US and UK markets. However, prices increased in Germany by 9.7% due to the end of special markdown promotions pushing the average price to rise.
Compared to other markets, the price of LED light bulbs from domestic brands in Taiwan and China are low. For example, Taiwan-based LED packaging house Everlight introduced 8W retrofit 60W LED light bulbs with luminous flux reaching 810 lumens at a retail price of only US$11.20/unit in Taiwan. This price is far below the global average.
Market research institutes believe the LED light bulb markets in China and Taiwan have yet to enter maturity compared to other regions. Especially in China as the market is filled with low-priced and poor-quality products causing consumers to shy away from LED light bulbs. To push the market into maturity, unified standards and quality verifications are necessary. From the current market conditions in China, consolidation of the industry and elimination of weak products needs more time.
