Which Country Imports the Most Cyclic Hydrocarbons in the World?

Basic Chemicals May 28, 2018

Blog Blog / Chemicals / Basic Chemicals

Author: Anna Sergeeva

PositionMarket Analyst

In 2016, the amount of cyclic hydrocarbon imported worldwide totaled 41M tonnes, growing by 2% against the previous year figure. The total import volume increased at an average annual rate of +2.3% over the period from 2007 to 2016; the trend pattern remained consistent, with somewhat noticeable fluctuations being observed throughout the analyzed period. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2013, an increase of 11% y-o-y. Global cyclic hydrocarbon import peaked in 2016, and are likely to continue its growth in the immediate term.

In value terms, cyclic hydrocarbon imports amounted to $36B in 2016. Overall, cyclic hydrocarbon imports continue to indicate a relatively flat trend pattern. Global cyclic hydrocarbon import peaked of $61B in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2016, it stood at a somewhat lower level.

Top Cyclic Hydrocarbon Importing Countries in the World

1. China (15.6 billion USD)

2. Belgium (2.6 billion USD)

3. India (2.1 billion USD)

4. Netherlands (1.5 billion USD)

5. Mexico (1.5 billion USD)

6. South Korea (1.4 billion USD)

7. Germany (1.1 billion USD)

8. France (0.8 billion USD)

9. Indonesia (0.7 billion USD)

10. Spain (0.5 billion USD)

Cyclic Hydrocarbon Imports By Country

China (19M tonnes) was the main importing country with an import of around 19M tonnes, which finished at 47% of total imports. Belgium (3.7M tonnes) held the second position in the ranking, followed by India (2.4M tonnes), and the Netherlands (2.1M tonnes). All these countries together took near 20% share of total imports. Mexico (1.7M tonnes), South Korea (1.6M tonnes), Germany (1.3M tonnes), Indonesia (956K tonnes), France (845K tonnes), and Spain (690K tonnes) followed a long way behind this figure.

China was also the fastest growing in terms of the cyclic hydrocarbon imports, with a CAGR of +11.1% from 2007 to 2016. At the same time, India (+9.5%), Mexico (+2.0%), and Belgium (+1.8%) displayed positive paces of growth. France, the Netherlands, and Indonesia experienced a relatively flat trend pattern. By contrast, South Korea (-2.8%), Spain (-4.5%), and Germany (-5.1%) illustrated a downward trend over the same period. While the share of Germany (2%) increased significantly, the share of India (-3.3%), and China (-28.6%) displayed negative dynamics. The shares of the other countries remained relatively stable throughout the analyzed period.

In value terms, China ($16B) constitutes the largest market for imported cyclic hydrocarbon worldwide, making up 43% of global imports. The second position in the ranking was occupied by Belgium ($2.6B), with the share of 7% of global imports. It was followed by India, with the share of 6%.

In China, cyclic hydrocarbon imports expanded at an average annual rate of +6.5% over the period from 2007-2016. The remaining importing countries recorded the following average annual rates: Belgium (-3.7% per year) and India (+5.5% per year).

Cyclic Hydrocarbon Import Prices By Country

The average cyclic hydrocarbon import price stood at $889 per tonne in 2016, reducing by -10.7% against the previous year. In general, cyclic hydrocarbon import price continues to indicate a temperate curtailment. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2010, when it surged by 28% from the previous year level. Global cyclic hydrocarbon import peaked of $1,521 per tonne in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2016, it failed to regain its strength.

Average import prices varied somewhat amongst major importing countries. In 2016, major importing countries recorded the following import prices: in South Korea ($892 per tonne) and France ($891 per tonne), while Belgium ($712 per tonne) and the Netherlands ($717 per tonne) were among the lowest.

From 2007 to 2016, the most notable growth rate of cyclic hydrocarbon import prices was attained by South Korea (-2.8% per year), while the other global leaders experienced a decline in the import price figures.

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