Ethyl alcohol market in South-eastern Asia

Earlier Report Observations

Ethyl alcohol market volume in South-eastern Asia contracted from 2 275 million liters in 2018 to 1 487 million liters in 2023. The sharpest decline was observed in 2020, followed by a temporary rebound in 2021 before further decreases in 2022 and 2023.

In 2024, the regional market was shaped by national biofuel blending mandates and energy security policies, particularly in Thailand and Vietnam, which boosted demand for denatured alcohol. High availability of feedstocks like sugar and cassava, coupled with a significant drop in import prices, supported market activity across Asia-Pacific. Imports into South-eastern Asia reached 931 million liters in 2024, reflecting increased supply flows.

Production ethyl alcohol in South-eastern Asia

In kind, 2017-2020, M l

Top producers of ethyl alcohol, 2017-2020

World map of production of ethyl alcohol, 2017-2020

Ethyl alcohol production in South-eastern Asia declined for the second year in a row. In 2020, the region produced 1 085 million liters, which represents a significant 37.8% decrease from the previous year. Looking at the period from 2017 to 2020, production fell by 37.8% overall, translating to an average annual decline of 14.7%. The highest production level was recorded in 2018 at 1 846 million liters, which also saw the largest annual increase of 5.7%.

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

Exports ethyl alcohol from South-eastern Asia

Exports in kind, M l

In 2020, South-eastern Asia exported 92.4 million liters of ethyl alcohol, showing a moderate increase of 9.7% compared to 2019. Over the broader period from 2017 to 2020, however, exports dropped by 45.5%, averaging an 18.3% annual decline. The lowest export volume occurred in 2019 at 84.2 million liters, while the peak was in 2018 with 228.8 million liters. The most substantial decrease happened in 2019 at 63.2%, whereas the largest increase was recorded in 2018 at 35.0%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the distribution of export destinations for ethyl alcohol was quite fragmented. South Korea accounted for 11.6% of exports in volume, China for 8.6%, and Oman for 3.4%. Together, these three countries made up just 23.7% of total exports, with no single partner emerging as clearly dominant.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

In 2020, ethyl alcohol exports from South-eastern Asia were valued at 94.4 million US dollars, marking a slight increase of 0.7% from the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, export value declined by 25.4%, with an average annual decrease of 9.3%. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 93.7 million US dollars, while the highest was in 2018 at 168.9 million US dollars. The most significant drop occurred in 2019 at 44.5%, and the largest rise was in 2018 at 33.5%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, the geographical distribution of ethyl alcohol exports in value terms was highly diversified. South Korea represented 11.1% of export value, China 7.4%, and Japan 2.9%. Combined, these three countries accounted for only 21.3% of total export flows, with the remaining 78.7% spread across numerous smaller trading partners.

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

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

Imports ethyl alcohol to South-eastern Asia

Imports in kind, M l

Ethyl alcohol imports into South-eastern Asia decreased for the second consecutive year. In 2020, imports totaled 448.3 million liters, reflecting a small decline of 1.9% from 2019. From 2017 to 2020, import volumes fell by 18.4%, averaging a 6.5% annual decrease. The highest import level was in 2018 at 574.7 million liters. The largest annual drop occurred in 2019 at 20.5%, while the biggest increase was in 2018 at 4.7%.

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

During the period from 2017 to 2020, the United States was the leading source of ethyl alcohol imports by volume, accounting for 49.1%. Pakistan followed with 10.8%, and South Africa with 5.3%. Together, these three countries comprised 65.2% of total import flows.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

In 2020, the value of ethyl alcohol imports into South-eastern Asia reached 440.2 million US dollars, representing a substantial 20.8% increase from 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, import value grew by 13.6%, with a compound annual growth rate of 4.3%. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 364.3 million US dollars, and the highest in 2018 at 472.3 million US dollars. The most significant decrease happened in 2019 at 22.9%, while the largest increase was in 2018 at 21.9%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the United States was the primary supplier of ethyl alcohol by value, making up 46.2% of imports. Pakistan contributed 11.2%, and South Africa 5.0%. Collectively, these three countries accounted for 62.3% of total import value.

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

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