Japan's Nucleic Acids Exports Drop Sharply to $1.3B in 2023

Japan Nucleic Acids Exports

In 2023, overseas shipments of nucleic acids and their salts decreased by -21.5% to 15K tons, falling for the second year in a row after three years of growth. Overall, exports, however, enjoyed a tangible increase. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2020 when exports increased by 41%. Over the period under review, the exports reached the maximum at 22K tons in 2021; however, from 2022 to 2023, the exports failed to regain momentum.

In value terms, nucleic acids exports declined rapidly to $1.3B (IndexBox estimates) in 2023. In general, exports, however, saw strong growth. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2017 when exports increased by 32%. Over the period under review, the exports hit record highs at $1.6B in 2021; however, from 2022 to 2023, the exports failed to regain momentum.

Exports by Country

China (3.4K tons), South Korea (2.4K tons) and the United States (1.9K tons) were the main destinations of nucleic acids exports from Japan, together comprising 51% of total exports. Taiwan (Chinese), Brazil, Germany, Belgium and Ireland lagged somewhat behind, together accounting for a further 24%.

From 2013 to 2023, the biggest increases were recorded for Germany (with a CAGR of +17.0%), while shipments for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, Germany ($702M) remains the key foreign market for nucleic acids and their salts exports from Japan, comprising 55% of total exports. The second position in the ranking was held by the United States ($128M), with a 10% share of total exports. It was followed by Brazil, with a 6.7% share.

From 2013 to 2023, the average annual growth rate of value to Germany stood at +42.3%. Exports to the other major destinations recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: the United States (-6.2% per year) and Brazil (+9.1% per year).

Exports by Type

Nucleic acids and their salts, other heterocyclic compounds, n.e.c. in heading number 2934 (14K tons) was the largest type of nucleic acids and their salts exported from Japan, accounting for a 92% share of total exports. Moreover, nucleic acids and their salts, other heterocyclic compounds, n.e.c. in heading number 2934 exceeded the volume of the second product type, heterocyclic compounds; containing a benzothiazole ring-system (whether or not hydrogenated), not further fused (782 tons), more than tenfold. The third position in this ranking was held by heterocyclic compounds; containing an unfused thiazole ring (whether or not hydrogenated) in the structure (387 tons), with a 2.6% share.

From 2013 to 2023, the average annual rate of growth in terms of the volume of nucleic acids and their salts, other heterocyclic compounds, n.e.c. in heading number 2934 exports totaled +6.1%. With regard to the other exported products, the following average annual rates of growth were recorded: heterocyclic compounds; containing a benzothiazole ring-system (whether or not hydrogenated), not further fused (+1.2% per year) and heterocyclic compounds; containing an unfused thiazole ring (whether or not hydrogenated) in the structure (-9.2% per year).

In value terms, nucleic acids and their salts, other heterocyclic compounds, n.e.c. in heading number 2934 ($1.2B) remains the largest type of nucleic acids and their salts exported from Japan, comprising 95% of total exports. The second position in the ranking was held by heterocyclic compounds; containing an unfused thiazole ring (whether or not hydrogenated) in the structure ($56M), with a 4.4% share of total exports. It was followed by heterocyclic compounds; containing a benzothiazole ring-system (whether or not hydrogenated), not further fused, with a 0.8% share.

From 2013 to 2023, the average annual growth rate of the value of nucleic acids and their salts, other heterocyclic compounds, n.e.c. in heading number 2934 exports totaled +9.4%. With regard to the other exported products, the following average annual rates of growth were recorded: heterocyclic compounds; containing an unfused thiazole ring (whether or not hydrogenated) in the structure (-4.0% per year) and heterocyclic compounds; containing a benzothiazole ring-system (whether or not hydrogenated), not further fused (-2.3% per year).

Export Prices by Country

In 2023, the nucleic acids price amounted to $84,356 per ton (FOB, Japan), surging by 5% against the previous year. Over the last decade, it increased at an average annual rate of +2.9%. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2018 an increase of 17% against the previous year. The export price peaked at $93,439 per ton in 2019; however, from 2020 to 2023, the export prices stood at a somewhat lower figure.

There were significant differences in the average prices for the major external markets. In 2023, amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was Germany ($730,393 per ton), while the average price for exports to China ($14,082 per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2013 to 2023, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was recorded for supplies to Germany (+21.6%), while the prices for the other major destinations experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Market Intelligence Platform