Oxygen market in Poland

Earlier Report Observations

The Polish oxygen market saw its physical volume more than halve from around 2.15 billion cubic meters in 2018 to approximately 1.02 billion cubic meters in 2024. Over the same period, the market's value increased from 165 million US dollars to 253 million US dollars, indicating substantial price inflation or a shift toward higher-value segments.

A sharp production drop occurred in 2020, followed by a partial rebound in 2021. The volume fell again in 2022, coinciding with the energy crisis and a steep rise in electricity prices in Poland. These factors raised operating costs for energy-intensive cryogenic air separation, putting downward pressure on output.

After a further contraction in 2023, the market edged up slightly in 2024, suggesting a tentative stabilization. Throughout the period, imports and exports remained minor relative to domestic production.

Production oxygen in Poland

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

In Poland, oxygen production reached a value of 189.4 million US dollars in 2020, showing a strong year-over-year increase of 12.5%. Between 2017 and 2020, production grew by 13.4%, which translates to an annualized growth rate of 4.3%. The largest decline occurred in 2019, with a decrease of 1.4%.

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

In kind, 2017-2020, M m³

Poland's oxygen production declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, the country produced 1,281 million cubic meters of oxygen, marking a decrease of 36.4% compared to the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, production fell by 12.9%, equating to an annualized decline of 4.5%. The highest production level was recorded in 2018 at 2,149 million cubic meters, which also saw the largest increase of 46.1%.

Annual dynamics of production in Poland in kind, 2017-2020, M m³

Exports oxygen from Poland

Exports in kind, K m³

Poland's cross-border shipments of oxygen declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, the country exported 39,460 thousand cubic meters of oxygen, representing a modest decrease of 3.6% from the prior year. The peak export volume was recorded in 2018 at 50,408 thousand cubic meters. The largest decline occurred in 2019 with an 18.8% drop, while the largest increase was in 2018 at 25.9%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Poland in kind, 2017-2020, K m³

From 2017 to 2020, Czechia remained the primary destination for Poland's oxygen exports in kind, accounting for 76.2% of total flows. The remaining share was distributed among various smaller markets.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

In 2020, Poland's oxygen exports were valued at 4,831 thousand US dollars, remaining virtually unchanged from the previous year. The highest value was recorded in 2018 at 5,913 thousand US dollars. The largest decline occurred in 2019 with an 18.6% decrease, while the largest increase was in 2018 at 24.3%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Poland's oxygen exports in value terms were largely concentrated on Czechia, which accounted for 75.3% of total flows. Other countries together made up the remaining share.

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

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

Imports oxygen to Poland

Imports in kind, K m³

In 2020, Poland imported 3,904 thousand cubic meters of oxygen, down by 23.0% compared to 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, imports decreased by 35.1%, equating to an annualized decline of 13.4%. The largest decline was recorded in 2018 at 29.1%, while the largest increase occurred in 2019 with an 18.8% rise.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Poland in kind, 2017-2020, K m³

From 2017 to 2020, Germany played a leading role in Poland's oxygen imports in kind, holding a share of 70.8% of total flows. The remainder was distributed across other trading partners.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

In 2020, Poland's oxygen imports amounted to 549 thousand US dollars, indicating a year-over-year decline of 22.0%. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, imports decreased by 24.4%, with a compound annual growth rate of -8.9%. The lowest value was recorded in 2018 at 508 thousand US dollars. The largest decline occurred in 2018 with a 30.0% drop, while the largest increase was in 2019 at 38.6%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Germany and Czechia formed a dominant pair of markets for Poland's oxygen imports in value terms, jointly accounting for 81.5% of total flows. Other countries represented the residual share.

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

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