Which Country Imports the Most Alcohols in the World?

Basic Chemicals May 28, 2018

Blog Blog / Chemicals / Basic Chemicals

Author: Anna Sergeeva

PositionMarket Analyst

In 2016, the global imports of alcohols amounted to 259K tonnes, shrinking by -9.0% against the previous year level. In general, alcohols imports continue to indicate a slight deduction. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2010, when imports increased by 9% y-o-y. Over the period under review, global alcohols imports attained its maximum volume of 305K tonnes in 2014; however, from 2015 to 2016, it stood at a somewhat lower level.

In value terms, alcohols imports stood at $1.5B in 2016. Overall, alcohols imports continue to indicate a relatively flat trend pattern. Over the period under review, global alcohols imports attained its maximum level of $2.2B in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2016, it failed to regain its strength.

Top Alcohols Importing Countries in the World

1. China (210.1 million USD)

2. South Korea (121.3 million USD)

3. Germany (102.2 million USD)

4. India (74.2 million USD)

5. Singapore (66.4 million USD)

6. France (65.3 million USD)

7. Japan (57.0 million USD)

8. Italy (55.1 million USD)

9. United Kingdom (48.6 million USD)

10. Netherlands (40.0 million USD)

11. Spain (37.8 million USD)

12. Belgium (36.6 million USD)

Alcohols Imports By Country

South Korea (95K tonnes) represented the major importer of alcohols in the world, recording 95K tonnes, which was near 36% of total imports in 2016. It was distantly followed by Germany (26K tonnes), and China (17K tonnes), together making up 16% share of total alcohols imports. Japan (9.8K tonnes), Italy (8.6K tonnes), Belgium (8.6K tonnes), Spain (8.2K tonnes), the UK (8K tonnes), India (6.9K tonnes), Singapore (6.5K tonnes), France (6.5K tonnes), and the Netherlands (5.9K tonnes) followed a long way behind this figure.

Imports into South Korea increased at an average annual rate of +1.7% from 2007 to 2016. At the same time, Germany (+6.3%), Spain (+5.0%), India (+4.2%), France (+2.4%), and Belgium (+2.4%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, Germany emerged as the fastest growing importer/exporter in the world, with a CAGR of +6.3% from 2007-2016. Singapore experienced a relatively flat trend pattern. By contrast, Italy (-1.9%), the Netherlands (-2.4%), the UK (-2.5%), China (-3.2%), and Japan (-12.1%) illustrated a downward trend over the same period. Japan (8%), and China (2%) significantly strengthened its position in terms of the global imports, while Germany, and South Korea saw its share reduced by -4.2%, and -5.2% from 2007 to 2016, respectively. The shares of the other countries remained relatively stable throughout the analyzed period.

In value terms, the largest alcohols markets worldwide were China ($210M), South Korea ($121M) and Germany ($102M), with a combined 28% share of global imports.India, Singapore, France, Japan, Italy, the UK, the Netherlands, Spain and Belgium lagged somewhat behind, together comprising a further 31%.

India (+8.3% per year) had the highest rates of growth with regard to the alcohols imports, among the main importing countries, over the last 9 years, while the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Alcohols Import Prices By Country

In 2016, the average import price for alcohols amounted to $5,961 per tonne, surging by 8% against the previous year. Overall, it indicated a modest expansion from 2007 to 2016: the import price value increased at an average annual rate of +1.9% over the last nine years. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations throughout the analyzed period. Based on the result of 2016, alcohols import price decreased by -24.7% against its level of 2012. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2011, when import increased by 31% against the previous year level. Global alcohols import peaked of $7,916 per tonne in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2016, it stood at a somewhat lower level.

There were significant differences in the average import prices amongst major importing countries. In 2016, the country with the highest import prices was China ($13 per kg), while South Korea ($1,284 per tonne) was among the lowest.

From 2007 to 2016, the most notable growth rate of alcohols import prices was attained by the Netherlands (+7.8% per year), while the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Do you want to know more about global alcohols market? Get the latest trends and insight from our report. It includes a wide range of statistics on