U.S. Import of Heterocyclic Compound Drops Significantly to $1.6 Billion in 2023

U.S. Heterocyclic Compound Imports

In 2023, supplies from abroad of heterocyclic compounds increased by 1.3% to 24K tons, rising for the fourth year in a row after two years of decline. The total import volume increased at an average annual rate of +2.7% from 2013 to 2023; the trend pattern remained consistent, with somewhat noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2022 when imports increased by 14% against the previous year. Imports peaked in 2023 and are expected to retain growth in the immediate term.

In value terms, heterocyclic compound imports fell to $1.6B (IndexBox estimates) in 2023. In general, imports, however, recorded a pronounced descent. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2019 when imports increased by 19%. Imports peaked at $2.3B in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2023, imports failed to regain momentum.

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COUNTRY	Import Value of Heterocyclic Compound in U.S. (million USD)
	2013	2014	2015	2016	2017	2018	2019	2020	2021	2022	2023
China	338	320	245	218	324	449	527	529	528	842	464
Germany	143	151	189	160	189	160	161	202	196	189	220
Switzerland	18.0	20.5	23.5	34.1	30.1	35.6	68.6	111	80.0	105	174
Belgium	4.5	0.2	22.7	24.3	29.5	38.7	43.5	49.9	127	126	150
India	108	86.2	72.3	74.1	104	109	104	103	158	187	143
United Kingdom	17.9	20.4	16.8	43.7	22.5	10.9	34.2	258	105	100	137
France	100	135	112	199	96.8	88.3	162	159	85.7	93.0	71.6
Ireland	1,289	939	786	585	396	352	456	24.1	221	68.3	24.3
Others	258	273	242	213	213	213	180	168	140	134	187
Total	2,277	1,945	1,711	1,551	1,405	1,457	1,737	1,605	1,641	1,847	1,571

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Imports by Country

Germany (10K tons), India (5.8K tons) and the UK (1.7K tons) were the main suppliers of heterocyclic compound imports to the United States, with a combined 76% 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 the UK (with a CAGR of +24.4%), while imports for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, China ($464M) constituted the largest supplier of heterocyclic compounds to the United States, comprising 30% of total imports. The second position in the ranking was taken by Germany ($220M), with a 14% share of total imports. It was followed by Switzerland, with an 11% share.

From 2013 to 2023, the average annual rate of growth in terms of value from China stood at +3.2%. The remaining supplying countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: Germany (+4.4% per year) and Switzerland (+25.5% per year).

Imports by Type

In 2023, heterocyclic compounds; containing an unfused pyridine ring (whether or not hydrogenated) in the structure, other than pyridine and its salts (23K tons) was the main type of heterocyclic compounds supplied to the United States, with a 96% share of total imports. It was followed by heterocyclic compounds; containing an unfused pyridine ring (whether or not hydrogenated) in the structure, pyridine and its salts (741 tons), with a 3.1% share of total imports. The third position in this ranking was taken by heterocyclic compounds; containing an unfused pyridine ring (whether or not hydrogenated) in the structure, piperidine and its salts (165 tons), with a 0.7% share.

From 2013 to 2023, the average annual rate of growth in terms of the volume of heterocyclic compounds; containing an unfused pyridine ring (whether or not hydrogenated) in the structure, other than pyridine and its salts imports totaled +4.2%. With regard to the other supplied products, the following average annual rates of growth were recorded: heterocyclic compounds; containing an unfused pyridine ring (whether or not hydrogenated) in the structure, pyridine and its salts (-13.0% per year) and heterocyclic compounds; containing an unfused pyridine ring (whether or not hydrogenated) in the structure, piperidine and its salts (+8.2% per year).

In value terms, heterocyclic compounds; containing an unfused pyridine ring (whether or not hydrogenated) in the structure, other than pyridine and its salts ($1.6B) constituted the largest type of heterocyclic compounds supplied to the United States, comprising 99% of total imports. The second position in the ranking was held by heterocyclic compounds; containing an unfused pyridine ring (whether or not hydrogenated) in the structure, pyridine and its salts ($9.4M), with a 0.6% share of total imports. It was followed by heterocyclic compounds; containing an unfused pyridine ring (whether or not hydrogenated) in the structure, piperidine and its salts, with a 0.1% share.

Import Prices by Country

In 2023, the heterocyclic compound price stood at $65,973 per ton (CIF, US), which is down by -16% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the import price saw a deep slump. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2019 an increase of 24%. Over the period under review, average import prices reached the peak figure at $124,996 per ton in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2023, import prices remained at a lower figure.

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 China ($552,907 per ton), while the price for Germany ($20,951 per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2013 to 2023, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by China (+17.5%), while the prices for the other major suppliers experienced mixed trend patterns.

Source: IndexBox Market Intelligence Platform