Alicyclic hydrocarbons market in Belgium

Earlier Report Observations

From 2018, the Belgian market for alicyclic hydrocarbons saw the introduction of a new fuel segment with XTL diesel and changes to federal price regulations for petroleum products. In 2020, a sharp drop in global oil prices due to the COVID-19 pandemic temporarily spurred consumption, contributing to a relatively high market volume of 595.7 thousand tonnes that year.

Following 2020, the market entered a contraction. Imports, which had peaked at 752.6 thousand tonnes in 2019, began to decline, especially after the EU imposed an embargo on Russian oil at the end of 2022. This forced Belgium to eliminate imports from Russia and diversify suppliers, leading to a fall in imports to 325.5 thousand tonnes by 2024. Concurrently, exports rose from 67.1 thousand tonnes in 2021 to 124.9 thousand tonnes in 2024, and the overall market volume fell to 226.3 thousand tonnes in 2024.

Regulatory shifts, including a new Belgian standard from April 2024 limiting sulfur in heating gasoil and a 2023 law integrating renewable energy into fossil fuels, altered fuel composition and quality requirements. These changes, alongside the supply reorientation towards the United States, reflected evolving consumer preferences and environmental standards, further shaping the market structure during the period.

Production alicyclic hydrocarbons in Belgium

In value, 2017-2020, K $ US

Annual dynamics of production in Belgium in value, 2017-2020, K $ US

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Annual dynamics of production in Belgium in kind, 2017-2020, t

Exports alicyclic hydrocarbons from Belgium

Exports in kind, K t

Belgium's exports of alicyclic hydrocarbons declined for the second year in a row. In 2020, the export volume reached 89.4 thousand tons, which represents a significant drop of 29.0% compared to the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, exports decreased by 27.8%, equivalent to an annualized decline of 10.3%. The highest export volume was recorded in 2018 at 135.1 thousand tons, which also saw the largest annual increase of 9.2%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Belgium in kind, 2017-2020, K t

Between 2017 and 2020, France and Germany were the dominant markets for Belgium's alicyclic hydrocarbon exports in volume terms, together accounting for 86.2% of total shipments. The remaining exports were distributed among other destinations.

Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's exports from Belgium in kind, 2017-2020

Exports in value, M $ US

Belgium's export value of alicyclic hydrocarbons fell for the second consecutive year. In 2020, exports amounted to 110.6 million US dollars, marking a year-on-year decline of 20.3%. From 2017 to 2020, the export value decreased by 23.4%, which translates to an annualized rate of decline of 8.5%. The peak export value was recorded in 2018 at 168.0 million US dollars, which also experienced the largest annual increase of 16.4%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Belgium in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

From 2017 to 2020, France, Germany, and the Netherlands were the top buyers of Belgian alicyclic hydrocarbons in value terms. France accounted for 56.6% of export value, Germany for 14.9%, and the Netherlands for 8.0%. Together, these three countries represented 79.5% of Belgium's total export value in this category.

Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's exports from Belgium in value, 2017-2020

Imports alicyclic hydrocarbons to Belgium

Imports in kind, K t

In 2020, Belgium's imports of alicyclic hydrocarbons totaled 662.0 thousand tons, showing a substantial decrease of 12.0% from the previous year. The highest import volume was recorded in 2019 at 752.6 thousand tons, which also saw the largest annual increase of 12.6%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Belgium in kind, 2017-2020, K t

During the 2017–2020 period, Saudi Arabia, Germany, and the Netherlands were the main suppliers of alicyclic hydrocarbons to Belgium in volume terms. Saudi Arabia contributed 35.0% of imports, Germany 20.3%, and the Netherlands 13.5%. Collectively, these three countries accounted for 68.8% of Belgium's total import volume.

Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's imports to Belgium in kind, 2017-2020

Imports in value, M $ US

Belgium's import value of alicyclic hydrocarbons dropped for the second year in a row. In 2020, imports stood at 423.2 million US dollars, reflecting a sharp decline of 29.5% compared to 2019. From 2017 to 2020, import value fell by 32.2%, equivalent to an annualized decrease of 12.1%. The maximum import value was recorded in 2018 at 660.9 million US dollars, which also registered the largest annual increase of 5.9%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Belgium in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Over the 2017–2020 period, Saudi Arabia, Germany, and the United States were the leading sources of alicyclic hydrocarbon imports to Belgium in value terms. Saudi Arabia represented 34.4% of import value, Germany 19.3%, and the United States 14.2%. Together, these three countries made up 67.8% of Belgium's total import value in this category.

Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's imports to Belgium in value, 2017-2020