Ethyl alcohol market in Western Europe

Earlier Report Observations

The ethyl alcohol market in Western Europe showed pronounced volatility from 2018 to 2023. Volume surged from 2.2 billion liters in 2018 to a peak of 3.7 billion liters in 2020, followed by a sharp contraction to 1.9 billion liters in 2021 before stabilizing near 2.7 billion liters in 2022 and 2023.

Market movements were closely tied to shifts in demand for denatured alcohol, driven by its use in disinfectants and sanitizers during global health concerns, which boosted consumption in 2020. The subsequent market correction in 2021 coincided with a normalization of this demand, while evolving consumer preferences toward premium beverage alcohol supported the later recovery.

Domestic production trended downward, increasing reliance on imported supply. By 2024, import volumes rose to 4.2 billion liters, reflecting ongoing adjustments to global supply chain dynamics and sustained consumption needs.

Production ethyl alcohol in Western Europe

In kind, 2017-2020, M l

Top producers of ethyl alcohol, 2017-2020

World map of production of ethyl alcohol, 2017-2020

After two years of decline, ethyl alcohol production in Western Europe rebounded. In 2020, production reached 2 268 million liters, marking a moderate year-over-year increase of 4.5%. However, over the period from 2017 to 2020, production fell by 12.9%, which translates to an average annual decline of 4.5%. The lowest production level was recorded in 2019 at 2 171 million liters, while the sharpest drop occurred in 2018 with a decrease of 13.1%.

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

Exports ethyl alcohol from Western Europe

Exports in kind, M l

Western Europe's ethyl alcohol exports declined for the second year in a row. In 2020, export volume stood at 2 059 million liters, down 12.7% compared to the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, exports decreased by 8.9%, averaging an annual decline of 3.1%. The peak export volume was in 2018 at 2 747 million liters. The largest year-over-year decline happened in 2019 with a 14.2% drop, while the biggest increase occurred in 2018 with a 21.6% rise.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, key buyers of ethyl alcohol from Western Europe included the United Kingdom, accounting for 15.3% of exports in volume, Sweden at 4.3%, and Spain at 2.8%. Together, these three countries represented just 22.4% of total exports, with the remaining 77.6% spread across numerous other trading partners.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

Ethyl alcohol exports from Western Europe increased for the second consecutive year. In 2020, exports totaled 3 031 million US dollars, reflecting a significant year-over-year rise of 25.8%. Over the 2017-2020 period, export value grew by 42.2%, with a compound annual growth rate of 12.4%. The lowest value was recorded in 2018 at 2 126 million US dollars, which also saw the smallest decline of 0.3%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the geographical distribution of ethyl alcohol exports in value terms was highly diverse. The United Kingdom contributed 16.2% of export value, Sweden 4.6%, and Spain 2.9%, collectively making up only 23.7% of total flows. The remaining 76.3% was distributed among many smaller partner countries.

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

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

Imports ethyl alcohol to Western Europe

Imports in kind, M l

Foreign ethyl alcohol supplies to Western Europe increased for the second year in a row. In 2020, imports reached 3 521 million liters, up 6.7% from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports grew by 36.6%, with a compound annual growth rate of 11.0%. The lowest import volume was in 2018 at 2 554 million liters, which also experienced a minor decline of 0.9%. The largest increase occurred in 2019 with a 29.2% rise.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, imports of ethyl alcohol in volume were spread across a wide range of partner countries. Hungary accounted for 6.6% of imports, Spain for 4.8%, and Sweden for 4.5%, together representing just 15.9% of total flows.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

Cross-border shipments of ethyl alcohol to Western Europe increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, imports totaled 2 989 million US dollars, showing a strong year-over-year increase of 18.0%. From 2017 to 2020, import value rose by 55.7%, averaging an annual growth rate of 15.9%.

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

Over the 2017-2020 period, imports of ethyl alcohol to Western Europe in value terms were characterized by a broad spread across markets. Hungary accounted for 6.7% of import value, Sweden for 5.7%, and Spain for 5.0%, collectively making up only 17.3% of total flows.

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

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