Belgium: Ether Market 2024

Ether Market Size in Belgium

In 2022, the Belgian ether market increased by 43% to $X, rising for the fourth year in a row after four years of decline. In general, consumption saw a buoyant increase. Ether consumption peaked in 2022 and is expected to retain growth in years to come.

Ether Production in Belgium

In value terms, ether production soared to $X in 2022 estimated in export price. In general, production saw a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2018 when the production volume increased by 57%. As a result, production reached the peak level of $X. From 2019 to 2022, production growth remained at a somewhat lower figure.

Ether Exports

Exports from Belgium

In 2022, overseas shipments of ethers decreased by -55.1% to X tons for the first time since 2018, thus ending a three-year rising trend. Overall, exports saw a noticeable descent. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2021 with an increase of 37%. As a result, the exports reached the peak of X tons, and then shrank remarkably in the following year.

In value terms, ether exports fell significantly to $X in 2022. In general, exports recorded a pronounced setback. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2021 with an increase of 69%. As a result, the exports attained the peak of $X, and then reduced remarkably in the following year.

Exports by Country

The Netherlands (X tons) was the main destination for ether exports from Belgium, accounting for a 48% share of total exports. Moreover, ether exports to the Netherlands exceeded the volume sent to the second major destination, Germany (X tons), threefold. Greece (X tons) ranked third in terms of total exports with a 6.1% share.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual rate of growth in terms of volume to the Netherlands amounted to -2.1%. Exports to the other major destinations recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: Germany (-7.6% per year) and Greece (+34.1% per year).

In value terms, the Netherlands ($X) remains the key foreign market for ethers exports from Belgium, comprising 37% of total exports. The second position in the ranking was taken by Germany ($X), with a 16% share of total exports. It was followed by the UK, with a 6.1% share.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual growth rate of value to the Netherlands totaled -3.2%. Exports to the other major destinations recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: Germany (-7.4% per year) and the UK (-8.3% per year).

Export Prices by Country

The average ether export price stood at $X per ton in 2022, rising by 10% against the previous year. Overall, the export price showed a relatively flat trend pattern. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2021 when the average export price increased by 24% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the average export prices reached the peak figure at $X per ton in 2014; however, from 2015 to 2022, the export prices failed to regain momentum.

Prices varied noticeably by country of destination: amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was Italy ($X per ton), while the average price for exports to the Netherlands ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was recorded for supplies to Italy (+2.9%), while the prices for the other major destinations experienced more modest paces of growth.

Ether Imports

Imports into Belgium

In 2022, after three years of growth, there was significant decline in purchases abroad of ethers, when their volume decreased by -45.6% to X tons. In general, imports, however, continue to indicate a relatively flat trend pattern. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2020 with an increase of 123% against the previous year. Imports peaked at X tons in 2021, and then dropped significantly in the following year.

In value terms, ether imports reduced rapidly to $X in 2022. Overall, imports saw a relatively flat trend pattern. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2021 when imports increased by 93% against the previous year. As a result, imports reached the peak of $X, and then shrank remarkably in the following year.

Imports by Country

The Netherlands (X tons), Saudi Arabia (X tons) and China (X tons) were the main suppliers of ether imports to Belgium, with a combined 70% share of total imports. The United States, Germany, the United Arab Emirates and France lagged somewhat behind, together accounting for a further 24%.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of purchases, amongst the main suppliers, was attained by the United Arab Emirates (with a CAGR of +57.8%), while imports for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, the Netherlands ($X), China ($X) and Saudi Arabia ($X) appeared to be the largest ether suppliers to Belgium, with a combined 58% share of total imports. Germany, the United States, France and the United Arab Emirates lagged somewhat behind, together accounting for a further 31%.

In terms of the main suppliers, the United Arab Emirates, with a CAGR of +50.7%, recorded the highest growth rate of the value of imports, over the period under review, while purchases for the other leaders experienced mixed trend patterns.

Import Prices by Country

In 2022, the average ether import price amounted to $X per ton, growing by 10% against the previous year. Overall, the import price, however, showed a mild curtailment. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2018 when the average import price increased by 20%. The import price peaked at $X per ton in 2014; however, from 2015 to 2022, import prices stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Prices varied noticeably by country of origin: amid the top importers, the country with the highest price was France ($X per ton), while the price for Saudi Arabia ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by France (+9.3%), while the prices for the other major suppliers experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Platform

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