Market research

Ethyl alcohol market in South America

Release date: Mar 29, 2026

Submission: 15 minutes after payment

Research period: 2017-2025

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"South America" region includes following countries:

Argentina

Bolivia

Bouvet Island

Brazil

Chile

Colombia

Ecuador

Falkland Islands (Malvinas)

South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands

French Guiana

Guyana

Paraguay

Peru

Suriname

Uruguay

Venezuela

Earlier Report Observations

The market volume for ethyl alcohol in Brazil declined from 3.0 million liters in 2018 to 1.2 million liters in 2022. This contraction was driven by a sustained increase in exports, which rose from 1.9 million liters in 2018 to 2.8 million liters in 2022, reducing domestic availability. During the pandemic, the growth of the illicit distilled beverages market by approximately 10% further diverted consumption away from the formal sector. Regulatory measures, such as the tax classification rulings for rectified undenatured ethyl alcohol in 2019, also influenced trade flows by clarifying fiscal treatment.

In 2023, the market volume rebounded to 1.6 million liters, supported by a recovery in alcoholic beverage consumption and product innovation within the sector. The gin segment, for instance, saw remarkable growth of 114.8% in 2021, reflecting shifting consumer preferences and diversification in the spirits market.

Table of content

1. Disclaimer
2. Terms of use of the report
3. Product codes in the statistical classifications used in the report
4. Key Market Indicators and Trends
1. 4.1. Key Market Indicators
  1. 4.1.1. In kind
    1. 4.1.1.1. Production, 2018-2023
    2. 4.1.1.2. Imports, 2018-2024
    3. 4.1.1.3. Exports, 2018-2024
    4. 4.1.1.4. Market size, 2018-2023
  2. 4.1.2. In value
    1. 4.1.2.1. Production, 2018-2023
    2. 4.1.2.2. Imports, 2018-2024
    3. 4.1.2.3. Exports, 2018-2024
    4. 4.1.2.4. Market size, 2018-2023
2. 4.2. Market Trends and Factors
5. Production
1. 5.1. Production in South America
  1. 5.1.1. Annual dynamics of production in South America in kind, 2018-2023, M l
2. 5.2. Global production by Country, 2018-2023
  1. 5.2.1. Annual dynamics of production by macroregions in kind, 2018-2023, M l
  2. 5.2.2. Dynamics of production structure by macroregions in kind, 2018-2023
  3. 5.2.3. Annual dynamics of production by country in kind, 2018-2023, M l
  4. 5.2.4. Structure of production by countries in kind, 2018-2023
  5. 5.2.5. Dynamics of peoduction structure by countries in kind, 2018-2023
6. Exports
1. 6.1. Exports (Direct Data*)
  1. 6.1.1. Exports - Total information
  2. 6.1.2. Exports in kind, M l
    1. 6.1.2.1. Annual dynamics of product's exports from Argentina in kind, 2018-2024, M l
    2. 6.1.2.2. Dynamics of product's exports in kind from Argentina by countries, 2018-2024, M l
    3. 6.1.2.3. Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2018-2024
  3. 6.1.3. Exports in value, M $ US
    1. 6.1.3.1. Annual dynamics of product's exports from Argentina in value, 2018-2024, M $ US
    2. 6.1.3.2. Dynamics of product's exports in value from Argentina by countries, 2018-2024, M $ US
    3. 6.1.3.3. Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2018-2024
  4. 6.1.4. Average price of product's exports, $ US/K l
    1. 6.1.4.1. Annual dynamics of average price of product's exports from Argentina, 2018-2024, $ US/K l
    2. 6.1.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's exports from Argentina by countries, 2018-2024, $ US/K l
2. 6.2. Exports (Mirror Data)
  1. 6.2.1. Exports - Total information
  2. 6.2.2. Exports in kind, M l
    1. 6.2.2.1. Annual dynamics of product's exports from Argentina in kind, 2018-2024, M l
    2. 6.2.2.2. Dynamics of product's exports in kind from Argentina by countries, 2018-2024, M l
    3. 6.2.2.3. Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2018-2024
  3. 6.2.3. Exports in value, M $ US
    1. 6.2.3.1. Annual dynamics of product's exports from Argentina in value, 2018-2024, M $ US
    2. 6.2.3.2. Dynamics of product's exports in value from Argentina by countries, 2018-2024, M $ US
    3. 6.2.3.3. Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2018-2024
  4. 6.2.4. Average price of product's exports, $ US/K l
    1. 6.2.4.1. Annual dynamics of average price of product's exports from Argentina, 2018-2024, $ US/K l
    2. 6.2.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's exports from Argentina by countries, 2018-2024, $ US/K l
7. Imports
1. 7.1. Imports (Direct Data*)
  1. 7.1.1. Imports - Total information
  2. 7.1.2. Imports in kind, M l
    1. 7.1.2.1. Annual dynamics of product's imports to Argentina in kind, 2018-2024, M l
    2. 7.1.2.2. Dynamics of product's imports in kind to Argentina by countries, 2018-2024, M l
    3. 7.1.2.3. Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2018-2024
  3. 7.1.3. Imports in value, M $ US
    1. 7.1.3.1. Annual dynamics of product's imports to Argentina in value, 2018-2024, M $ US
    2. 7.1.3.2. Dynamics of product's imports in value to Argentina by countries, 2018-2024, M $ US
    3. 7.1.3.3. Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2018-2024
  4. 7.1.4. Average price of product's imports, $ US/K l
    1. 7.1.4.1. Annual dynamics of average price of product's imports to Argentina, 2018-2024, $ US/K l
    2. 7.1.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's imports to Argentina by countries, 2018-2024, $ US/K l
2. 7.2. Imports (Mirror Data)
  1. 7.2.1. Imports - Total information
  2. 7.2.2. Imports in kind, M l
    1. 7.2.2.1. Annual dynamics of product's imports to Argentina in kind, 2018-2024, M l
    2. 7.2.2.2. Dynamics of product's imports in kind to Argentina by countries, 2018-2024, M l
    3. 7.2.2.3. Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2018-2024
  3. 7.2.3. Imports in value, M $ US
    1. 7.2.3.1. Annual dynamics of product's imports to Argentina in value, 2018-2024, M $ US
    2. 7.2.3.2. Dynamics of product's imports in value to Argentina by countries, 2018-2024, M $ US
    3. 7.2.3.3. Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2018-2024
  4. 7.2.4. Average price of product's imports, $ US/K l
    1. 7.2.4.1. Annual dynamics of average price of product's imports to Argentina, 2018-2024, $ US/K l
    2. 7.2.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's imports to Argentina by countries, 2018-2024, $ US/K l
8. Trade balance
1. 8.1. Trade balance (Direct Data)
  1. 8.1.1. In kind, M l
  2. 8.1.2. In value, M $ US
2. 8.2. Trade balance (Mirror Data)
  1. 8.2.1. In kind, M l
  2. 8.2.2. In value, M $ US
9. Top buying and selling countries, 2018-2024
1. 9.1. Direct Data
  1. 9.1.1. Import in Value by Countries-buyers
  2. 9.1.2. Export in Value by Countries-suppliers
2. 9.2. Mirror Data
  1. 9.2.1. Import in Value by Countries-buyers
  2. 9.2.2. Export in Value by Countries-suppliers

Production ethyl alcohol in South America

In kind, 2017-2020, M l

Top producers of ethyl alcohol, 2017-2020

Source: SHEV.io

World map of production of ethyl alcohol, 2017-2020

Source: SHEV.io

Ethyl alcohol production in South America rebounded after a two-year decline. In 2019, production hit its lowest point at 2 657 million liters, but then increased significantly in 2020 to 3 469 million liters, marking a 30.6% rise compared to the previous year. The largest decline occurred in 2018, with a drop of 20.2%. Over the entire period from 2017 to 2020, production grew by 2.7%, translating to an average annual growth rate of 0.9%.

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

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	(20.2%)	(1.4%)	30.6%	0.9%

Source: SHEV.io

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Ethyl alcohol production in South America recovered after a two-year reduction. In 2019, the value of production reached its minimum at 1 447 million US dollars, but then rose to 1 732 million US dollars in 2020, up 19.7% year-over-year. The largest decline was recorded in 2018, falling by 26.4%. From 2017 to 2020, overall production value decreased by 14.6%, with an average annual decline of 5.1%.

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

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	(26.4%)	(3.1%)	19.7%	(5.1%)

Source: SHEV.io

Exports ethyl alcohol from South America

Exports in kind, M l

Ethyl alcohol exports from South America increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, exports reached 2 955 million liters, reflecting a 27.8% increase compared to 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, exports surged by 91.5%, which equates to an annualized growth rate of 24.2%.

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

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	26.3%	18.7%	27.8%	24.2%

Source: SHEV.io

From 2017 to 2020, the United States, South Korea, and the Netherlands formed the core of South America's ethyl alcohol exports in volume terms. The United States accounted for 46.0% of exports, South Korea for 25.3%, and the Netherlands for 10.3%, together making up 81.6% of total export flows.

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

Source: SHEV.io

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

Source: SHEV.io

Exports in value, M $ US

Ethyl alcohol exports from South America grew for the third year in a row. In 2020, export value totaled 1 475 million US dollars, showing a solid advance of 17.1% compared to 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, exports increased by 59.3%, with an annualized growth rate of 16.8%.

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

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	16.6%	16.6%	17.1%	16.8%

Source: SHEV.io

Throughout 2017 to 2020, the three largest markets for South America's ethyl alcohol exports in value terms were the United States, South Korea, and the Netherlands. Together, they accounted for 79.0% of total export flows.

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

Source: SHEV.io

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

Source: SHEV.io

Imports ethyl alcohol to South America

Imports in kind, M l

Ethyl alcohol imports into South America declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, imports came to 1 317 million liters, reflecting a drop of 34.6% compared to 2019. The maximum value was recorded in 2018 at 2 264 million liters, which also saw the largest increase of 2.9% that year. Between 2017 and 2020, imports decreased by 40.2%, equating to an average annual decline of 15.7%.

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

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	2.9%	(11.0%)	(34.6%)	(15.7%)

Source: SHEV.io

In the period from 2017 to 2020, the United States was the main source of ethyl alcohol imports into South America in volume terms, accounting for 88.2% of total import flows.

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

Source: SHEV.io

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

Source: SHEV.io

Imports in value, M $ US

Foreign ethyl alcohol supplies to South America declined for the third consecutive year. In 2020, imports registered 796 million US dollars, indicating a significant drop of 18.5% versus the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, imports decreased by 33.8%, with an average annual decline of 12.8%.

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

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	(8.2%)	(11.5%)	(18.5%)	(12.8%)

Source: SHEV.io

Over 2017 to 2020, the United States remained the key direction for ethyl alcohol imports into South America in value terms, accounting for 85.7% of total import flows.

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

Source: SHEV.io

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

Source: SHEV.io