Ethyl alcohol market in France

Earlier Report Observations

France is the largest producer of ethyl alcohol in Europe, accounting for 32% of production, with a strong industrial base for processing biomass from sugar beets, wheat, and corn. Société des Alcools Dénaturés (S.A.D.) plays a key historical role in denaturing, blending, distributing, and packaging ethanol for various industrial sectors, ensuring compliance with European standards. In 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic disrupted bioethanol supply chains, temporarily reducing domestic production, but market volume was maintained through increased imports.

In 2021, production plummeted to 641 million liters, causing market size to drop to 567 million liters. The market then recovered, reaching 916 million liters in 2022 and 1 129 million liters in 2023. This recovery was driven by the diversification of industrial applications, including investments in renewable ethylene production from bioethanol, as well as robust demand for food-grade ethyl alcohol from the food and pharmaceutical sectors. Additionally, a 22% price drop for Superéthanol-E85 and the expansion of fueling stations stimulated bioethanol consumption, with ethanol consumption volume rising by 25% in 2023.

In 2024, the adoption of Superéthanol-E85 continued to grow, supported by local subsidies for flex-fuel kit installations, although production growth was constrained by reliance on gas energy for distillation. S.A.D. maintained its control over the entire supply chain for denatured ethanol, meeting industrial and pharmaceutical needs.

Production ethyl alcohol in France

In kind, 2017-2020, M l

France was one of the world's leading producers of ethyl alcohol from 2017 to 2020, ranking fourth globally by production volume during this period.

Top producers of ethyl alcohol, 2017-2020

World map of production of ethyl alcohol, 2017-2020

France's ethyl alcohol production declined for the second year in a row. In 2020, the country produced 1 500.9 million liters, marking a 5.7% decrease from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, production fell by 10.4%, which translates to an average annual decline of 3.6%. The highest production level was recorded in 2018 at 1 712.6 million liters, with a 2.3% increase that year. The most significant drop occurred in 2019, when production decreased by 7.1%.

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

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

In 2020, the value of ethyl alcohol output in France reached 1 245 million US dollars, an 8.2% rise compared to the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, production value grew by 10.5%, with a compound annual growth rate of 3.4%. The peak value was recorded in 2018 at 1 293 million US dollars, which saw a 14.8% increase. The largest decline happened in 2019, with an 11.0% drop.

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

Exports ethyl alcohol from France

Exports in kind, M l

France's exports of ethyl alcohol increased for the second consecutive year. In 2020, export volume stood at 893.8 million liters, showing little change from 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, exports rose by 2.8%, equivalent to an average annual growth of 0.9%. The lowest export volume was recorded in 2018 at 855.8 million liters, with a 1.5% decline that year. The largest increase occurred in 2019, when exports grew by 4.2%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the United Kingdom, the Netherlands, and Germany were the main destinations for France's ethyl alcohol exports in volume terms. The United Kingdom accounted for 24.1% of exports, the Netherlands for 18.8%, and Germany for 17.3%. Together, these three countries represented 60.2% of total export flows.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

In 2020, the value of France's ethyl alcohol exports amounted to 741.5 million US dollars, a 15.0% increase from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, export value grew by 26.8%, with an average annual rate of 8.2%. The only decline was recorded in 2019, with a slight 0.2% drop.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, the United Kingdom, the Netherlands, and Germany were the primary markets for France's ethyl alcohol exports in value terms. The United Kingdom made up 24.4% of exports, the Netherlands 18.8%, and Germany 17.1%. Collectively, these three countries absorbed 60.3% of total export value.

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

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

Imports ethyl alcohol to France

Imports in kind, M l

France's imports of ethyl alcohol rose for the third year in a row. In 2020, the country imported 540.3 million liters, a 24.7% increase year-over-year. From 2017 to 2020, imports surged by 124.5%, equating to an average annual growth rate of 30.9%.

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

During 2017-2020, Spain, the Netherlands, and Belgium dominated France's ethyl alcohol imports in volume terms. Spain accounted for 24.5% of imports, the Netherlands for 15.6%, and Belgium for 15.4%. Together, these three countries represented 55.6% of total import flows.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

France's imports of ethyl alcohol in value terms increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, imports totaled 404.2 million US dollars, reflecting a sharp 30.4% rise from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, import value grew by 116.1%, with a compound annual growth rate of 29.3%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Spain, the Netherlands, and Belgium were the key sources for France's ethyl alcohol imports in value terms. Spain contributed 25.1% of imports, the Netherlands 14.7%, and Belgium 14.4%. Combined, these three countries accounted for 54.2% of total import flows.

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

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