85 Mrd. Pokémon-Karten: Produktion am Limit, Nachfrage bleibt

Status: October 6, 2026.

Over 85 billion Pokémon Trading Card Game cards have been produced worldwide by March 2026. An enormous number. It illustrates the scale of the Pokémon Trading Card Game phenomenon. Yet, even this record production cannot fully meet the persistently high demand, which continues to impact the market.

Record Production Meets Unbroken Demand

The production figures for the Pokémon Trading Card Game are impressive. Approximately 10 billion cards were produced between March 2025 and March 2026 alone. The 2023/2024 fiscal year was even a record year, with 11.9 billion cards produced.

Since early 2025, The Pokémon Company has confirmed it is printing at maximum capacity. This shows that the manufacturers are doing everything possible to meet demand. Nevertheless, the demand for Pokémon cards continues to significantly exceed production volume. This leads to shortages, quick sell-outs, and frustrated collectors and players.

The effects of this discrepancy are varied. They include scalping, where products are resold at inflated prices. Disputes in retail and thefts also accompany this tense market situation. The Trading Card Game is now available in 16 languages and over 90 countries and regions, further illustrating the global dimension of the demand.

Long-Term Strategies Against Shortages

The Pokémon Company is aware of the challenge and is taking steps to increase production capacities long-term. An important step was the acquisition of Millennium Print Group in April 2022. This company had already been producing cards for the Pokémon TCG since 2015 and is now firmly integrated into the production chain. The acquisition secures capacities and also allows for better control over the entire manufacturing process.

Another forward-looking project is the construction of a large new factory in Morrisville, USA. This facility is exclusively dedicated to printing trading cards and is expected to be fully operational by 2028. The factory is likely to significantly boost production capacities. This is a clear signal that the company anticipates high demand in the long term and wants to be prepared for it.

History and Outlook: What to Expect

The Pokémon Trading Card Game has a long history. It was released in Japan in October 1996 and has since evolved into a global phenomenon. By January 2026, approximately 18,200 to 18,500 unique English Pokémon cards had been officially released. Annually, about 1,000 to 1,500 new cards are added, distributed across main expansion sets, special collections, and Secret Rares. New main expansion sets are released approximately every two to three months.

This high frequency of new releases ensures a steady stream of new cards that can be collected and played. At the same time, it keeps demand high, as new chase cards and game mechanics are constantly introduced. The combination of historical success, continuous new releases, and strategic investments in production indicates that the demand for Pokémon cards will remain a central issue in the coming years.

What Does This Mean for You as a Collector or Player?

The persistently high demand and strategic steps to increase capacity require a conscious strategy for acquiring desired cards. For us, it's clear: if you're looking for specific cards for your deck or want to add a particular Secret Rare to your collection, single cards are often the more direct and predictable path.

Buying single cards saves you the uncertainty and cost that can come with opening many Booster packs. Especially with the high frequency of new sets and the sheer number of cards released annually, it can quickly become expensive to pull a specific card otherwise. You get exactly what you need, without the luck factor. We would always first check if the single card price is proportionate to the expected value from a Booster or Display.

When Sealed Products Are an Option

However, this doesn't mean that opening Booster Displays or Collection Boxes has no appeal. The thrill of discovering a rare card when opening a pack is a big part of the hobby. If you're looking for that experience or want to build a collection of sealed products, then Pokémon Booster Displays or Pokémon Collection Boxes are, of course, still an option. Be aware, however, that prices for sealed products can often exceed the original MSRP due to high demand and shortages.

For long-term investments in sealed products, the situation is more complex. Increased production capacities could lead to a decrease in the scarcity of certain products in a few years. However, this is pure speculation. Currently, demand is still so great that even maximum production is insufficient. It is conceivable that the factory in the USA, starting in 2028, will bring about a noticeable easing in the market. Whether this will affect the long-term values of sealed products remains to be seen.

Also, Pokémon Special Sets often offer exclusive promos and content that can be interesting for collectors. This also includes thematic boxes. Here too, if you value the included promos or the thematic compilation, the purchase can be worthwhile. For DeckDynastie, the availability of such products is always an indicator of the market situation.

Our Assessment of Buying Behavior

We would recommend that you closely monitor the market. Especially with new sets or hyped products, it is advisable not to blindly follow every hype. Sometimes it's better to wait a few weeks until the initial excitement has subsided and prices stabilize. For players, it is often more important to secure play-relevant single cards before their prices rise.

For collectors hunting for specific Pokémon Promo cards or specific artworks, the single card market remains the most reliable source. The high number of cards released annually makes it unlikely to obtain all desired cards by simply opening Boosters.

What to Observe Now

The development of production capacities and global demand remains a relevant factor. We will closely monitor how the commissioning of the new factory in the USA affects the availability of Pokémon cards in Europe. Until then, demand is likely to continue to outstrip supply in many areas. It remains to be seen if and when production figures can sustainably ease the market situation.