Ether Market

The global ether market is anticipated to see growth in both volume and value from 2022 to 2030, with a forecasted CAGR of +2.9% in volume and +5.6% in value. China leads in both consumption and production of ethers, while countries like the United States, Russia, and Japan also play significant roles in the market. Import and export volumes and values are also on the rise, with countries like Saudi Arabia, the United States, and China leading in exports. Average prices for ether exports and imports show varying trends by country, with notable growth rates seen in specific regions over the years.

Market Forecast

Driven by increasing demand for ethers worldwide, the market is expected to continue an upward consumption trend over the next eight years. Market performance is forecast to retain its current trend pattern, expanding with an anticipated CAGR of +2.9% for the period from 2022 to 2030, which is projected to bring the market volume to 36M tons by the end of 2030.

In value terms, the market is forecast to increase with an anticipated CAGR of +5.6% for the period from 2022 to 2030, which is projected to bring the market value to $91.6B (in nominal prices) by the end of 2030.

Consumption

World Consumption of Ethers

In 2022, consumption of ethers decreased by -1.8% to 29M tons, falling for the fourth consecutive year after three years of growth. The total consumption volume increased at an average annual rate of +2.2% from 2012 to 2022; the trend pattern remained relatively stable, with only minor fluctuations throughout the analyzed period. Global consumption peaked at 31M tons in 2018; however, from 2019 to 2022, consumption failed to regain momentum.

The global ether market revenue contracted modestly to $59.1B in 2022, which is down by -2.8% against the previous year. This figure reflects the total revenues of producers and importers (excluding logistics costs, retail marketing costs, and retailers' margins, which will be included in the final consumer price). Over the period under review, consumption, however, showed a relatively flat trend pattern. Global consumption peaked at $69B in 2018; however, from 2019 to 2022, consumption failed to regain momentum.

Consumption By Country

The country with the largest volume of ether consumption was China (7.5M tons), comprising approx. 26% of total volume. Moreover, ether consumption in China exceeded the figures recorded by the second-largest consumer, the United States (2M tons), fourfold. Russia (1.6M tons) ranked third in terms of total consumption with a 5.6% share.

In China, ether consumption remained relatively stable over the period from 2012-2022. The remaining consuming countries recorded the following average annual rates of consumption growth: the United States (-0.2% per year) and Russia (+10.3% per year).

In value terms, China ($22.4B) led the market, alone. The second position in the ranking was taken by Indonesia ($6B). It was followed by Japan.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual rate of growth in terms of value in China was relatively modest. In the other countries, the average annual rates were as follows: Indonesia (+2.7% per year) and Japan (+8.3% per year).

The countries with the highest levels of ether per capita consumption in 2022 were Singapore (237 kg per person), Qatar (195 kg per person) and Oman (106 kg per person).

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of consumption, amongst the main consuming countries, was attained by Qatar (with a CAGR of +27.2%), while consumption for the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Production

World Production of Ethers

In 2022, production of ethers decreased by -0.4% to 35M tons, falling for the third year in a row after four years of growth. The total output volume increased at an average annual rate of +2.4% over the period from 2012 to 2022; the trend pattern remained consistent, with only minor fluctuations being recorded in certain years. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2019 when the production volume increased by 13% against the previous year. As a result, production attained the peak volume of 37M tons. From 2020 to 2022, global production growth remained at a lower figure.

In value terms, ether production contracted modestly to $57.4B in 2022 estimated in export price. Overall, production, however, recorded a relatively flat trend pattern. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2016 with an increase of 17% against the previous year. Over the period under review, global production hit record highs at $64.3B in 2018; however, from 2019 to 2022, production stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Production By Country

The countries with the highest volumes of production in 2022 were China (8.4M tons), Saudi Arabia (6.5M tons) and the United States (5.1M tons), with a combined 57% share of global production. Brazil, Russia, Indonesia, Qatar, Iran, India, Thailand, the Netherlands and South Korea lagged somewhat behind, together accounting for a further 27%.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of production, amongst the leading producing countries, was attained by Russia (with a CAGR of +9.4%), while production for the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Imports

World Imports of Ethers

In 2022, purchases abroad of ethers increased by 11% to 12M tons, rising for the second consecutive year after two years of decline. The total import volume increased at an average annual rate of +2.3% from 2012 to 2022; the trend pattern remained consistent, with somewhat noticeable fluctuations being observed in certain years. As a result, imports reached the peak and are likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

In value terms, ether imports skyrocketed to $18.7B in 2022. In general, total imports indicated a tangible expansion from 2012 to 2022: its value increased at an average annual rate of +2.2% over the last decade. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2022 figures, imports increased by +81.1% against 2020 indices. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2021 when imports increased by 41% against the previous year. Global imports peaked in 2022 and are expected to retain growth in years to come.

Imports By Country

In 2022, Singapore (1.7M tons) and Japan (1.5M tons) were the key importers of ethersaround the world, together recording approx. 28% of total imports. It was followed by China (911K tons), the Netherlands (897K tons), Malaysia (732K tons), Belgium (586K tons) and Oman (564K tons), together making up a 31% share of total imports. The following importers - Mexico (465K tons), Italy (399K tons), France (349K tons), Turkey (342K tons), Germany (317K tons) and the United States (307K tons) - together made up 18% of total imports.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of purchases, amongst the main importing countries, was attained by Oman (with a CAGR of +28.9%), while imports for the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, the largest ether importing markets worldwide were Japan ($2.4B), Singapore ($2B) and the Netherlands ($1.3B), together comprising 30% of global imports. Mexico, China, Belgium, Malaysia, Italy, Germany, the United States, France, Turkey and Oman lagged somewhat behind, together comprising a further 42%.

Among the main importing countries, Oman, with a CAGR of +26.4%, recorded the highest growth rate of the value of imports, over the period under review, while purchases for the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Import Prices By Country

In 2022, the average ether import price amounted to $1,577 per ton, picking up by 16% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the import price, however, saw a relatively flat trend pattern. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2021 an increase of 36%. Global import price peaked at $1,596 per ton in 2012; afterwards, it flattened through to 2022.

Prices varied noticeably by country of destination: amid the top importers, the country with the highest price was Mexico ($2,718 per ton), while Oman ($770 per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Mexico (+6.4%), while the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Exports

World Exports of Ethers

In 2022, the amount of ethers exported worldwide expanded rapidly to 18M tons, surging by 9.6% against the previous year. The total export volume increased at an average annual rate of +2.7% over the period from 2012 to 2022; however, the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded in certain years. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2019 when exports increased by 29% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the global exports attained the peak figure in 2022 and are expected to retain growth in years to come.

In value terms, ether exports skyrocketed to $21B in 2022. Over the period under review, total exports indicated a slight increase from 2012 to 2022: its value increased at an average annual rate of +1.2% over the last decade. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2022 figures, exports increased by +81.4% against 2020 indices. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2021 with an increase of 49%. Over the period under review, the global exports attained the peak figure in 2022 and are expected to retain growth in the immediate term.

Exports By Country

Saudi Arabia was the main exporting country with an export of about 6.1M tons, which accounted for 34% of total exports. The United States (3.4M tons) ranks second in terms of the total exports with a 19% share, followed by China (9.7%) and the Netherlands (7.9%). Belgium (578K tons), France (543K tons), Taiwan (Chinese) (498K tons), Qatar (480K tons), Germany (470K tons), India (462K tons), Singapore (364K tons), the United Arab Emirates (292K tons) and Brazil (289K tons) followed a long way behind the leaders.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of shipments, amongst the main exporting countries, was attained by China (with a CAGR of +21.9%), while the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, the largest ether supplying countries worldwide were the United States ($4.6B), Saudi Arabia ($3.4B) and China ($2.9B), together accounting for 52% of global exports.

In terms of the main exporting countries, China, with a CAGR of +12.2%, saw the highest growth rate of the value of exports, over the period under review, while shipments for the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Export Prices By Country

The average ether export price stood at $1,173 per ton in 2022, picking up by 11% against the previous year. In general, the export price, however, continues to indicate a slight curtailment. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2021 when the average export price increased by 35% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the average export prices reached the peak figure at $1,366 per ton in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, the export prices stood at a somewhat lower figure.

There were significant differences in the average prices amongst the major exporting countries. In 2022, amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was Germany ($2,441 per ton), while Saudi Arabia ($556 per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Belgium (+1.3%), while the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Market Intelligence Platform