Stearic acid market in Sweden

Earlier Report Observations

Between 2020 and 2022, the Swedish stearic acid market's physical volume declined slightly from 21 thsd. t to 18 thsd. t, while its value increased significantly from 23.5 mln USD to 36.7 mln USD. This rise in market value was driven by growing demand from the personal care and cosmetics industry, where consumer preference for sustainable and bio-based ingredients supported higher prices. Concurrently, increasing palm oil costs in Southeast Asia raised production expenses, further elevating the market's monetary value.

European regulatory changes began reshaping supply chains. The EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR), adopted in April 2023, banned imports linked to deforestation, affecting stearic acid derived from palm oil. This measure prompted a shift towards RSPO-certified sustainable sources in Sweden, aligning with broader EU trends favoring traceability and environmental compliance in chemical sourcing.

Further EU regulatory updates, such as the 2024 revision of rules on plastic food contact materials, influenced stearic acid use in packaging applications. Ongoing price volatility for palm oil, coupled with industry-wide adoption of bio-based alternatives, reinforced the market's trajectory towards higher-value, sustainably sourced stearic acid products in line with Swedish consumer preferences.

Production stearic acid in Sweden

In value, 2017-2020, K $ US

Annual dynamics of production in Sweden in value, 2017-2020, K $ US

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Annual dynamics of production in Sweden in kind, 2017-2020, t

Exports stearic acid from Sweden

Exports in kind, t

Sweden's stearic acid exports have declined for the second year in a row. In 2020, exports totaled 36 957 tonnes, which represents an 8.2% decrease compared to the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, exports fell by 4.1%, with a compound annual growth rate of 1.4%. The highest export volume was recorded in 2018 at 45 054 tonnes, marking a 16.9% increase that year. The largest decline occurred in 2019, with a drop of 10.6%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Sweden in kind, 2017-2020, t

Between 2017 and 2020, Germany was the primary destination for Sweden's stearic acid exports in volume terms, accounting for 46.3% of total exports. Poland followed with 14.3%, and Lithuania with 9.7%. Together, these three countries represented 70.3% of Sweden's total stearic acid export flows during this period.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

In 2020, the value of stearic acid exports from Sweden reached 36 056 thousand US dollars, showing an 8.8% increase from the previous year. However, from 2017 to 2020, overall export value decreased by 11.3%, which translates to an annualized decline of 3.9%. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 33 126 thousand US dollars, reflecting a significant 21.4% drop that year. The peak value occurred in 2018 at 42 127 thousand US dollars.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Germany remained the leading buyer of Swedish stearic acid in value terms, comprising 44.4% of total exports. Poland accounted for 15.5%, and Lithuania for 8.9%. Collectively, these three markets made up 68.8% of Sweden's total stearic acid export value during this timeframe.

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

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

Imports stearic acid to Sweden

Imports in kind, t

Sweden's stearic acid imports showed significant fluctuations during the period. The lowest import volume was recorded in 2017, while the highest was in 2019, with a 3.1-fold difference between these two years. In 2020, imports amounted to 2 897 tonnes, representing a sharp 41.1% decrease compared to 2019. The peak volume in 2019 reached 4 918 tonnes, which was a substantial 129.6% increase from the previous year.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Sweden in kind, 2017-2020, t

Between 2017 and 2020, Germany dominated Sweden's stearic acid imports in volume terms, accounting for 83.6% of total imports. The remaining share was distributed among various other markets, each with significantly smaller portions.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

Sweden's stearic acid import values experienced notable volatility from 2017 to 2020. The lowest value was recorded in 2017, while the highest was in 2019, with a 2.6-fold difference between these years. In 2020, import value stood at 3 455 thousand US dollars, marking a 24.5% decrease from 2019. The peak value in 2019 reached 4 578 thousand US dollars, reflecting a 100.9% increase from the previous year.

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

Throughout the 2017-2020 period, Germany maintained clear dominance in Sweden's stearic acid imports by value, capturing 80.3% of total import flows. Other countries each held considerably smaller shares of the market.

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

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