Global Acetic Acid Market to See Accelerated Growth with +2.9% CAGR Over Next Seven Years

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The global acetic acid market is set to experience significant growth from 2023 to 2030, with a forecasted CAGR of +2.9% in volume and +5.1% in value. This growth is attributed to the rising demand for acetic acid around the world, leading to an expansion in market performance.

Market Forecast

Driven by increasing demand for acetic acid worldwide, the market is expected to continue an upward consumption trend over the next seven-year period. Market performance is forecast to accelerate, expanding with an anticipated CAGR of +2.9% for the period from 2023 to 2030, which is projected to bring the market volume to 6.8M tons by the end of 2030.

In value terms, the market is forecast to increase with an anticipated CAGR of +5.1% for the period from 2023 to 2030, which is projected to bring the market value to $4.9B (in in nominal wholesale prices) by the end of 2030.

Consumption

World Consumption of Acetic Acid

In 2023, approx. 5.5M tons of acetic acid were consumed worldwide; dropping by -3.4% compared with 2022. Overall, consumption, however, showed a relatively flat trend pattern. As a result, consumption reached the peak volume of 6.3M tons. From 2022 to 2023, the growth of the global consumption remained at a somewhat lower figure.

The global acetic acid market size fell to $3.5B in 2023, dropping by -10.2% 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, the total consumption indicated mild growth from 2013 to 2023: its value increased at an average annual rate of +1.1% over the last decade. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2023 figures, consumption decreased by -23.2% against 2021 indices. As a result, consumption attained the peak level of $4.5B. From 2022 to 2023, the growth of the global market remained at a lower figure.

Consumption By Country

The countries with the highest volumes of consumption in 2023 were China (1.1M tons), India (1.1M tons) and the United States (681K tons), with a combined 51% share of global consumption. Germany, Mexico, Japan, Russia, South Korea, Brazil, Thailand, Iran, Saudi Arabia and Malaysia lagged somewhat behind, together accounting for a further 30%.

From 2013 to 2023, the most notable rate of growth in terms of consumption, amongst the key consuming countries, was attained by Saudi Arabia (with a CAGR of +11.6%), while consumption for the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, the largest acetic acid markets worldwide were China ($613M), India ($525M) and the United States ($402M), together accounting for 44% of the global market. Germany, Mexico, Russia, Japan, South Korea, Brazil, Saudi Arabia, Thailand, Malaysia and Iran lagged somewhat behind, together comprising a further 30%.

In terms of the main consuming countries, Saudi Arabia, with a CAGR of +14.3%, saw the highest rates of growth with regard to market size over the period under review, while market for the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

The countries with the highest levels of acetic acid per capita consumption in 2023 were Germany (4.1 kg per person), Malaysia (2.8 kg per person) and Saudi Arabia (2.8 kg per person).

From 2013 to 2023, the most notable rate of growth in terms of consumption, amongst the main consuming countries, was attained by Saudi Arabia (with a CAGR of +9.6%), while consumption for the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Production

World Production of Acetic Acid

In 2023, approx. 5.6M tons of acetic acid were produced worldwide; with an increase of 3.8% compared with 2022 figures. The total output volume increased at an average annual rate of +1.2% from 2013 to 2023; the trend pattern remained relatively stable, with somewhat noticeable fluctuations being recorded in certain years. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2020 when the production volume increased by 10%. Global production peaked in 2023 and is expected to retain growth in the near future.

In value terms, acetic acid production reached $3.5B in 2023 estimated in export price. Overall, the total production indicated a noticeable expansion from 2013 to 2023: its value increased at an average annual rate of +2.4% over the last decade. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2023 figures, production decreased by -8.1% against 2021 indices. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2021 when the production volume increased by 40%. As a result, production attained the peak level of $3.9B. From 2022 to 2023, global production growth remained at a somewhat lower figure.

Production By Country

The countries with the highest volumes of production in 2023 were China (1.9M tons), the United States (1.5M tons) and Malaysia (453K tons), together accounting for 68% of global production. Taiwan (Chinese), Singapore, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Iran, South Korea and Japan lagged somewhat behind, together accounting for a further 23%.

From 2013 to 2023, the most notable rate of growth in terms of production, amongst the leading producing countries, was attained by Singapore (with a CAGR of +47.6%), while production for the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Imports

World Imports of Acetic Acid

In 2023, purchases abroad of acetic acid decreased by -12.8% to 3.7M tons, falling for the second consecutive year after two years of growth. In general, total imports indicated a modest expansion from 2013 to 2023: its volume increased at an average annual rate of +1.8% over the last decade. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2023 figures, imports decreased by -33.0% against 2021 indices. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2021 when imports increased by 42%. As a result, imports attained the peak of 5.5M tons. From 2022 to 2023, the growth of global imports failed to regain momentum.

In value terms, acetic acid imports declined dramatically to $2.2B in 2023. Over the period under review, imports, however, continue to indicate a notable increase. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2021 when imports increased by 111%. As a result, imports reached the peak of $3.5B. From 2022 to 2023, the growth of global imports remained at a somewhat lower figure.

Imports By Country

In 2023, India (1.1M tons), distantly followed by Belgium (614K tons), Germany (332K tons) and Mexico (249K tons) were the major importers of acetic acid, together mixing up 62% of total imports. Japan (127K tons), Brazil (126K tons), Thailand (120K tons), South Korea (109K tons), Singapore (108K tons), Turkey (76K tons), the Netherlands (70K tons) and Indonesia (70K tons) held a little share of total imports.

From 2013 to 2023, the most notable rate of growth in terms of purchases, amongst the leading importing countries, was attained by Japan (with a CAGR of +11.0%), while imports for the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, India ($476M), Belgium ($356M) and Germany ($237M) constituted the countries with the highest levels of imports in 2023, together accounting for 48% of global imports. Mexico, Brazil, South Korea, the Netherlands, Japan, Thailand, Indonesia, Turkey and Singapore lagged somewhat behind, together accounting for a further 29%.

South Korea, with a CAGR of +11.0%, recorded the highest rates of growth with regard to the value of imports, in terms of the main importing countries over the period under review, while purchases for the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Import Prices By Country

The average acetic acid import price stood at $607 per ton in 2023, with a decrease of -23.9% against the previous year. Overall, import price indicated a modest increase from 2013 to 2023: its price increased at an average annual rate of +1.1% over the last decade. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2021 an increase of 49%. Global import price peaked at $797 per ton in 2022, and then shrank sharply in the following year.

Prices varied noticeably by country of destination: amid the top importers, the country with the highest price was the Netherlands ($954 per ton), while Singapore ($305 per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2013 to 2023, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by South Korea (+5.1%), while the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Exports

World Exports of Acetic Acid

In 2023, shipments abroad of acetic acid decreased by -3.5% to 3.7M tons, falling for the second year in a row after two years of growth. In general, total exports indicated a temperate expansion from 2013 to 2023: its volume increased at an average annual rate of +3.9% over the last decade. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2023 figures, exports decreased by -21.6% against 2021 indices. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2020 with an increase of 47%. Over the period under review, the global exports hit record highs at 4.8M tons in 2021; however, from 2022 to 2023, the exports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

In value terms, acetic acid exports declined sharply to $2.1B in 2023. Over the period under review, exports, however, enjoyed a notable expansion. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2021 when exports increased by 121% against the previous year. As a result, the exports reached the peak of $3.3B. From 2022 to 2023, the growth of the global exports remained at a lower figure.

Exports By Country

The shipments of the three major exporters of acetic acid, namely China, the United States and Belgium, represented more than half of total export. Malaysia (364K tons) held the next position in the ranking, followed by Singapore (341K tons) and Taiwan (Chinese) (293K tons). All these countries together took near 27% share of total exports. South Korea (108K tons) held a little share of total exports.

From 2013 to 2023, the biggest increases were recorded for Belgium (with a CAGR of +22.0%), while shipments for the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, the largest acetic acid supplying countries worldwide were Belgium ($461M), the United States ($457M) and China ($343M), with a combined 59% share of global exports.

Belgium, with a CAGR of +24.7%, saw the highest growth rate of the value of exports, in terms of the main exporting countries over the period under review, while shipments for the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Export Prices By Country

The average acetic acid export price stood at $570 per ton in 2023, reducing by -23.8% against the previous year. Overall, the export price, however, saw a modest expansion. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2021 an increase of 70%. Over the period under review, the average export prices reached the maximum at $748 per ton in 2022, and then contracted dramatically in the following year.

There were significant differences in the average prices amongst the major exporting countries. In 2023, amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was South Korea ($1,009 per ton), while Singapore ($294 per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2013 to 2023, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Taiwan (Chinese) (+7.0%), while the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Market Intelligence Platform