Ethyl alcohol market in Asia

Earlier Report Observations

The Asian ethyl alcohol market experienced a substantial contraction over the period from 2018 to 2023, with total market volume declining from 10 997 million liters to 6 555 million liters. This downward trend was interrupted by a temporary recovery in 2021 and 2022, when market size grew by 16.5% and 8.2% respectively, before falling again in 2023.

The market shrinkage was primarily influenced by a sharp drop in imports, which fell from 5 100 million liters in 2018 to 1 964 million liters in 2023. Simultaneously, exports increased from 980 million liters to 1 471 million liters over the same period, further reducing domestic availability. Domestic production showed volatility but ended the period slightly lower, moving from 6 877 million liters to 6 062 million liters.

In 2024, available trade data indicates a rebound in imports to 2 309 million liters and a decrease in exports to 1 184 million liters, suggesting a potential shift in market dynamics for the year, although full market size cannot be determined without production figures.

Production ethyl alcohol in Asia

In kind, 2017-2020, M l

Top producers of ethyl alcohol, 2017-2020

World map of production of ethyl alcohol, 2017-2020

Asia's ethyl alcohol production declined for the second year in a row. In 2020, the region produced 5 032 million liters, marking a significant 22.1% drop from the previous year. Looking at the period from 2017 to 2020, production fell by 7.3%, which translates to an average annual decrease of 2.5%. The peak was reached in 2018, with 6 877 million liters, when production surged by 26.6%.

Annual dynamics of production in Asia in kind, 2017-2020, M l

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Ethyl alcohol production in Asia decreased for the second consecutive year. In 2020, the output was valued at 4 322 million US dollars, down 13.4% from the year before. Over the 2017-2020 period, production actually grew by 8.4%, averaging a 2.7% annual increase. The highest value was recorded in 2018 at 5 365 million US dollars, when production jumped by 34.6%.

Annual dynamics of production in Asia in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Exports ethyl alcohol from Asia

Exports in kind, M l

In 2020, Asia's ethyl alcohol exports reached 918 million liters, rising 35.8% from the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, exports increased by 7.4%, with an average annual growth rate of 2.4%. The lowest point was in 2019 at 676 million liters, when exports fell by 31.0%, while the peak was in 2018 at 980 million liters.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Asia in kind, 2017-2020, M l

Between 2017 and 2020, the Netherlands, Spain, and Italy were notable buyers of ethyl alcohol from Asia, but their combined share was relatively modest. The Netherlands accounted for 7.4% of exports in volume, Spain for 4.5%, and Italy for 4.2%, totaling just 16.1% of all exports.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

In 2020, ethyl alcohol exports from Asia totaled 789 million US dollars, up 51.0% compared to 2019. From 2017 to 2020, exports grew by 25.6%, averaging a 7.9% annual increase. The lowest value was in 2019 at 522 million US dollars, when exports declined by 31.7%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, exports in value terms were spread across many countries. The Netherlands contributed 7.0% of the total value, Spain 4.0%, and Italy 3.5%, together making up only 14.4% of all export flows.

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

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

Imports ethyl alcohol to Asia

Imports in kind, M l

The market displayed volatility during the observed period. Asia imported 2 205 million liters of ethyl alcohol in 2020, a gradual increase of 9.5% from the previous year. The highest volume was in 2018 at 4 947 million liters, which saw a surge of 148.4%, while the largest drop occurred in 2019 with a 59.3% decline. From the low in 2017 to the peak in 2018, import volumes varied by 2.5 times.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Asia in kind, 2017-2020, M l

From 2017 to 2020, the United States, Brazil, and South Africa were the main sources of ethyl alcohol imports into Asia. The United States accounted for 44.1% of imports in volume, Brazil for 19.4%, and South Africa for 4.5%, together representing 68.0% of total import flows.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

In 2020, ethyl alcohol imports into Asia were valued at 1 923 million US dollars, rising 29.5% from the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, imports increased by 39.2%, with an average annual growth rate of 11.6%. The peak value was in 2018 at 1 987 million US dollars, when imports jumped by 43.8%, while the largest decline was in 2019 with a 25.3% drop.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, the United States, Brazil, and South Africa remained the key suppliers of ethyl alcohol to Asia in value terms. The United States made up 30.8% of imports, Brazil 22.0%, and South Africa 5.7%, jointly accounting for 58.6% of total import value.

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

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