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China - Phenols - Market Analysis, Forecast, Size, Trends and Insights
Report Update: Jun 1, 2025

China - Phenols - Market Analysis, Forecast, Size, Trends and Insights

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May 19, 2024

China's Phenols Import Value Drops to $1.4B in 2023

China Phenols Imports

In 2023, overseas purchases of phenols decreased by -27.7% to 799K tons, falling for the second consecutive year after five years of growth. Overall, imports showed a perceptible reduction. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2018 with an increase of 25% against the previous year. Imports peaked at 1.7M tons in 2021; however, from 2022 to 2023, imports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

In value terms, phenols imports declined significantly to $1.4B (IndexBox estimates) in 2023. Over the period under review, imports recorded a pronounced reduction. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2021 when imports increased by 49%. As a result, imports reached the peak of $2.9B. From 2022 to 2023, the growth of imports remained at a somewhat lower figure.China Phenols Imports By Country (Million USD)

COUNTRYImport Value of Phenols in China (million USD)
20132014201520162017201820192020202120222023
Jordan70.110371.379.379.573.5240267324526341
Japan200204144104118119163167226247187
Taiwan (Chinese)35127319013489.0186190294409300186
Saudi Arabia24.212.818.22.121.594.5162114212181128
United States98.610798.912018825473.288.772.4120105
South Korea41735520414724545941031951834897.6
Singapore10710479.480.315720918319840922992.5
Israel10377.240.991.211513915914129837190.9
Thailand39728819217724830121923733020578.3
Others25715511876.110811010614413310684.9
Total2,0231,6781,1571,0111,3691,9431,9071,9702,9322,6311,392

Imports by Country

Taiwan (Chinese) (165K tons), Saudi Arabia (136K tons) and Jordan (102K tons) were the main suppliers of phenols imports to China, with a combined 50% share of total imports.

From 2013 to 2023, the most notable rate of growth in terms of purchases, amongst the main suppliers, was attained by Saudi Arabia (with a CAGR of +25.0%), while imports for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, Jordan ($341M), Japan ($187M) and Taiwan (Chinese) ($186M) constituted the largest phenols suppliers to China, together comprising 51% of total imports. Saudi Arabia, the United States, South Korea, Singapore, Israel and Thailand lagged somewhat behind, together comprising a further 43%.

Saudi Arabia, with a CAGR of +18.2%, recorded the highest rates of growth with regard to the value of imports, in terms of the main suppliers over the period under review, while purchases for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Imports by Type

In 2023, monophenols (437K tons) constituted the largest type of phenols supplied to China, accounting for a 55% share of total imports. Moreover, monophenols exceeded the figures recorded for the second-largest type, 4,4-isopropylidenediphenol (bisphenol a; diphenylolpropane) and its salts (171K tons), threefold. Phenols or phenol-alcohols; halogenated, sulphonated, nitrated or nitrosated derivatives thereof (82K tons) ranked third in terms of total imports with a 10% share.

From 2013 to 2023, the average annual rate of growth in terms of the volume of monophenols imports was relatively modest. With regard to the other supplied products, the following average annual rates of growth were recorded: 4,4-isopropylidenediphenol (bisphenol a; diphenylolpropane) and its salts (-11.6% per year) and phenols or phenol-alcohols; halogenated, sulphonated, nitrated or nitrosated derivatives thereof (+9.4% per year).

In value terms, phenols with the largest imports in China were monophenols ($515M), halogenated, sulphonated, nitrated or nitrosated derivatives of phenols or phenol-alcohols ($271M) and phenols or phenol-alcohols; halogenated, sulphonated, nitrated or nitrosated derivatives thereof ($271M), with a combined 76% share of total imports.

Import Prices by Country

In 2023, the phenols price amounted to $1,742 per ton (CIF, China), shrinking by -26.9% against the previous year. Overall, the import price continues to indicate a relatively flat trend pattern. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2022 an increase of 36% against the previous year. As a result, import price reached the peak level of $2,382 per ton, and then fell markedly in the following year.

There were significant differences in the average prices amongst the major supplying countries. In 2023, amid the top importers, the country with the highest price was Jordan ($3,359 per ton), while the price for Saudi Arabia ($945 per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2013 to 2023, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by the United States (+3.1%), while the prices for the other major suppliers experienced mixed trend patterns.

Source: IndexBox Market Intelligence Platform

This report provides an in-depth analysis of the phenols market in China. Within it, you will discover the latest data on market trends and opportunities by country, consumption, production and price developments, as well as the global trade (imports and exports). The forecast exhibits the market prospects through 2030.

Product coverage:

  • Prodcom 20142410 - Monophenols
  • Prodcom 20142433 - 4,4-Isopropylidenediphenol (bisphenol A, diphenylolpropane) a nd its salts
  • Prodcom 20142439 - Polyphenols (including salts, excluding 4,4 isopropylidenediphenol) and phenol-alcohols
  • Prodcom 20142450 - Halogenated, sulphonated, nitrated or nitrosated derivatives of phenols or phenol-alcohols

Country coverage:

Data coverage:

  • Market volume and value
  • Per Capita consumption
  • Forecast of the market dynamics in the medium term
  • Trade (exports and imports) in China
  • Export and import prices
  • Market trends, drivers and restraints
  • Key market players and their profiles

Reasons to buy this report:

  • Take advantage of the latest data
  • Find deeper insights into current market developments
  • Discover vital success factors affecting the market

This report is designed for manufacturers, distributors, importers, and wholesalers, as well as for investors, consultants and advisors.

In this report, you can find information that helps you to make informed decisions on the following issues:

  1. How to diversify your business and benefit from new market opportunities
  2. How to load your idle production capacity
  3. How to boost your sales on overseas markets
  4. How to increase your profit margins
  5. How to make your supply chain more sustainable
  6. How to reduce your production and supply chain costs
  7. How to outsource production to other countries
  8. How to prepare your business for global expansion

While doing this research, we combine the accumulated expertise of our analysts and the capabilities of artificial intelligence. The AI-based platform, developed by our data scientists, constitutes the key working tool for business analysts, empowering them to discover deep insights and ideas from the marketing data.

  1. 1. INTRODUCTION

    Making Data-Driven Decisions to Grow Your Business

    1. REPORT DESCRIPTION
    2. RESEARCH METHODOLOGY AND THE AI PLATFORM
    3. DATA-DRIVEN DECISIONS FOR YOUR BUSINESS
    4. GLOSSARY AND SPECIFIC TERMS

  2. 2. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

    A Quick Overview of Market Performance

    1. KEY FINDINGS
    2. MARKET TRENDSThis Chapter is Available Only for the Professional EditionPRO

  3. 3. MARKET OVERVIEW

    Understanding the Current State of The Market and its Prospects

    1. MARKET SIZE: HISTORICAL DATA (2012–2024) AND FORECAST (2025–2035)
    2. MARKET STRUCTURE: HISTORICAL DATA (2012–2024) AND FORECAST (2025–2035)
    3. TRADE BALANCE: HISTORICAL DATA (2012–2024) AND FORECAST (2025–2035)
    4. PER CAPITA CONSUMPTION: HISTORICAL DATA (2012–2024) AND FORECAST (2025–2035)
    5. MARKET FORECAST TO 2035

  4. 4. MOST PROMISING PRODUCTS FOR DIVERSIFICATION

    Finding New Products to Diversify Your Business

    1. TOP PRODUCTS TO DIVERSIFY YOUR BUSINESS
    2. BEST-SELLING PRODUCTS
    3. MOST CONSUMED PRODUCTS
    4. MOST TRADED PRODUCTS
    5. MOST PROFITABLE PRODUCTS FOR EXPORTS

  5. 5. MOST PROMISING SUPPLYING COUNTRIES

    Choosing the Best Countries to Establish Your Sustainable Supply Chain

    1. TOP COUNTRIES TO SOURCE YOUR PRODUCT
    2. TOP PRODUCING COUNTRIES
    3. TOP EXPORTING COUNTRIES
    4. LOW-COST EXPORTING COUNTRIES

  6. 6. MOST PROMISING OVERSEAS MARKETS

    Choosing the Best Countries to Boost Your Export

    1. TOP OVERSEAS MARKETS FOR EXPORTING YOUR PRODUCT
    2. TOP CONSUMING MARKETS
    3. UNSATURATED MARKETS
    4. TOP IMPORTING MARKETS
    5. MOST PROFITABLE MARKETS

  7. 7. PRODUCTION

    The Latest Trends and Insights into The Industry

    1. PRODUCTION VOLUME AND VALUE: HISTORICAL DATA (2012–2024) AND FORECAST (2025–2035)

  8. 8. IMPORTS

    The Largest Import Supplying Countries

    1. IMPORTS: HISTORICAL DATA (2012–2024) AND FORECAST (2025–2035)
    2. IMPORTS BY COUNTRY: HISTORICAL DATA (2012–2024)
    3. IMPORT PRICES BY COUNTRY: HISTORICAL DATA (2012–2024)

  9. 9. EXPORTS

    The Largest Destinations for Exports

    1. EXPORTS: HISTORICAL DATA (2012–2024) AND FORECAST (2025–2035)
    2. EXPORTS BY COUNTRY: HISTORICAL DATA (2012–2024)
    3. EXPORT PRICES BY COUNTRY: HISTORICAL DATA (2012–2024)

  10. 10. PROFILES OF MAJOR PRODUCERS

    The Largest Producers on The Market and Their Profiles

  11. LIST OF TABLES

    1. Key Findings In 2024
    2. Market Volume, In Physical Terms: Historical Data (2012–2024) and Forecast (2025–2035)
    3. Market Value: Historical Data (2012–2024) and Forecast (2025–2035)
    4. Per Capita Consumption: Historical Data (2012–2024) and Forecast (2025–2035)
    5. Imports, In Physical Terms, By Country, 2012–2024
    6. Imports, In Value Terms, By Country, 2012–2024
    7. Import Prices, By Country, 2012–2024
    8. Exports, In Physical Terms, By Country, 2012–2024
    9. Exports, In Value Terms, By Country, 2012–2024
    10. Export Prices, By Country, 2012–2024

  12. LIST OF FIGURES

    1. Market Volume, In Physical Terms: Historical Data (2012–2024) and Forecast (2025–2035)
    2. Market Value: Historical Data (2012–2024) and Forecast (2025–2035)
    3. Market Structure – Domestic Supply vs. Imports, in Physical Terms: Historical Data (2012–2024) and Forecast (2025–2035)
    4. Market Structure – Domestic Supply vs. Imports, in Value Terms: Historical Data (2012–2024) and Forecast (2025–2035)
    5. Trade Balance, In Physical Terms: Historical Data (2012–2024) and Forecast (2025–2035)
    6. Trade Balance, In Value Terms: Historical Data (2012–2024) and Forecast (2025–2035)
    7. Per Capita Consumption: Historical Data (2012–2024) and Forecast (2025–2035)
    8. Market Volume Forecast to 2035
    9. Market Value Forecast to 2035
    10. Market Size and Growth, By Product
    11. Average Per Capita Consumption, By Product
    12. Exports and Growth, By Product
    13. Export Prices and Growth, By Product
    14. Production Volume and Growth
    15. Exports and Growth
    16. Export Prices and Growth
    17. Market Size and Growth
    18. Per Capita Consumption
    19. Imports and Growth
    20. Import Prices
    21. Production, In Physical Terms: Historical Data (2012–2024) and Forecast (2025–2035)
    22. Production, In Value Terms: Historical Data (2012–2024) and Forecast (2025–2035)
    23. Imports, In Physical Terms: Historical Data (2012–2024) and Forecast (2025–2035)
    24. Imports, In Value Terms: Historical Data (2012–2024) and Forecast (2025–2035)
    25. Imports, In Physical Terms, By Country, 2024
    26. Imports, In Physical Terms, By Country, 2012–2024
    27. Imports, In Value Terms, By Country, 2012–2024
    28. Import Prices, By Country, 2012–2024
    29. Exports, In Physical Terms: Historical Data (2012–2024) and Forecast (2025–2035)
    30. Exports, In Value Terms: Historical Data (2012–2024) and Forecast (2025–2035)
    31. Exports, In Physical Terms, By Country, 2024
    32. Exports, In Physical Terms, By Country, 2012–2024
    33. Exports, In Value Terms, By Country, 2012–2024
    34. Export Prices, By Country, 2012–2024

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