Growth of the global market for flat-screen TVs is expected to slow sharply in 2011 from last year as higher prices hamper demand in advanced markets, a report showed Sunday.
According to the report by market researcher DisplaySearch, the world market for flat-screen TVs is likely to expand at an annual rate of 12 percent this year, compared with a 32 percent surge a year earlier.
Global exports of flat-screen TVs are also predicted to grow a mere 4 percent this year from a year earlier, a sharp slowdown from an 18 percent on-year surge in 2010, the market research firm predicted.
A gradual rise in prices of flat-screen TVs will likely crimp growth of demand in advanced markets, DisplaySearch said, adding strong demand from developing countries is expected to lead the growth in the flat-screen TV market.
Demand for flat-screen TVs in such emerging markets as China, Latin America, Eastern Europe, the Middle East and Africa is projected to grow at an annual average 17 percent over the next four years, the report said.
By product, liquid crystal display (LCD) TVs will likely lead the growth this year, accounting for 84 percent of all global TV exports.
Worldwide exports of LCD TVs are expected to total 217 million units this year, up 13 percent from 192 million units recorded in 2010, according to the report.(Yonhap)