Benzene market in Russia

Earlier Report Observations

The Russian benzene market showed variable dynamics from 2018 to 2024, influenced by industrial events and external factors. In 2019, the entry of new players and the launch of new production capacities, alongside changes in environmental legislation, supported market growth, raising volume to 1 404 thousand tons. The COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 led to reduced output due to maintenance shutdowns at major plants such as the Kirishi refinery, contracting the market to 1 330 thousand tons. Continued pandemic effects and export declines from plant repairs in 2021 were offset by rising imports, allowing recovery to 1 373 thousand tons.

Geopolitical sanctions from 2022 onward contributed to a market contraction to 1 320 thousand tons. The following year, a production halt at the Stavrolen plant initially constrained supply, yet market volume still edged up to 1 340 thousand tons. A significant expansion in 2024 pushed the market to 1 445 thousand tons, before production declined in 2025.

Production benzene in Russia

In kind, 2018-2021, K t

Benzene production in Russia has been declining for three consecutive years. In 2021, Russia produced 1 315 thousand tons of benzene, which represents a moderate 3.6% decrease compared to 2020. Looking at the period from 2018 to 2021, production fell by 6.5%, averaging an annual decline of 2.2%.

Annual dynamics of production in Russia in kind, 2018-2021, K t

Exports benzene from Russia

Exports in kind, t

The market showed noticeable fluctuations during this period. In 2020, benzene exports from Russia reached their peak at 64 257 tons, marking a substantial 93.0% increase. However, by 2021, exports dropped sharply to 14 824 tons, which is 76.9% lower than the previous year. The difference between the highest and lowest points from 2020 to 2021 was 4.3 times.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Russia in kind, 2018-2021, t

From 2018 to 2021, Latvia was clearly the dominant destination for Russia's benzene exports in volume terms, accounting for 71.1% of total flows. Other countries each held significantly smaller shares.

Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's exports from Russia in kind, 2018-2021

Exports in value, K $ US

In 2020, Russia's benzene exports in value terms reached their maximum at 25 555 thousand US dollars, with a 22.5% increase. By 2021, exports fell to 10 333 thousand US dollars, down 59.6% year-over-year. Over the entire 2018-2021 period, exports decreased by 51.9%, with a compound annual growth rate of -21.6%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Russia in value, 2018-2021, K $ US

Throughout 2018-2021, Latvia and the Netherlands remained the main destinations for Russia's benzene exports in value terms, together accounting for 89.6% of total flows. Other partners each held significantly smaller shares.

Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's exports from Russia in value, 2018-2021

Imports benzene to Russia

Imports in kind, t

The market displayed considerable volatility during this period. In 2018, benzene imports to Russia hit their lowest point, while they peaked in 2021 at 76 333 tons, representing a dramatic 157.5% increase from 2020. The largest increase occurred in 2019 at 605.3%, while the largest decline was in 2020 at 36.2%. Overall, imports fluctuated 11.6-fold between 2018 and 2021.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Russia in kind, 2018-2021, t

From 2018 to 2021, Ukraine and Belarus clearly dominated Russia's benzene imports in volume terms, jointly accounting for 91.9% of total flows. Other countries held much smaller shares.

Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's imports to Russia in kind, 2018-2021

Imports in value, K $ US

Market behavior was characterized by volatility during these years. In 2018, import values were at their lowest, while they reached their highest in 2021 at 72 531 thousand US dollars, showing a steep 546.0% increase compared to the previous year. The largest decline was recorded in 2020 at 62.9%. Overall, import levels fluctuated 14.9 times between 2018 and 2021.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Russia in value, 2018-2021, K $ US

Over the 2018-2021 period, Ukraine and Belarus clearly dominated the partner structure for Russia's benzene imports in value terms, while other countries together formed the remaining share.

Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's imports to Russia in value, 2018-2021