Bright forecast for silver

Silver halide photography is poised to grow, according to Donald Franz, publisher of the Florida-based Photofinishing News.

Demand for silver in halide-based photography and digital imaging is expected to increase at least through to 2005.

“The things we read and hear would lead some to believe that the use of silver in photography is ready to plummet,” he says. “The reality seems to be that silver usage will continue to increase . . .”

His remarks appear in the December-January issue of Silver News, published by the Washington, D.C.-based Silver Institute.

Among his prediction is that silver used in the production of photographic paper will rise to 45 million oz. in 2005 from 49 million oz. in 2000.

Says Paul Bateman, executive director of the Silver Institute: “Silver halide photography continues to offer the consumer superior cost, convenience and quality over digital photography. And for that reason, we will continue to see digital systems develop in parallel to silver halide photography over the next several years.”

Last year, 200 million fewer film rolls were sold worldwide than in the previous year. Franz blames the slowdown in the world economy and the events of Sept. 11.

Total Camera Sales 2001-2005 (000s)

Year	2001	2002	2003	2004	2005
Reusable film	1,083,800	1,128,100	1,176,300	1,218,100	1,264,400
One-time use	386,500	412,700	452,500	490,000	527,500
Digital	38,649	56,887	79,368	106,983	133,627
Instant	109,000	121,000	133,000	143,000	150,000

Total Camera Shipments 2001-2005 (000s)

Year	2001	2002	2003	2004	2005
Reusable film	54,510	55,150	56,500	56,550	58,500
One-time use	386,500	412,700	452,500	490,000	527,500
Digital	17,382	23,415	30,392	38,129	46,142
Instant	13,500	13,400	13,000	11,000	9,000

(Source: Photofinishing News)

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