Belgium: Ethanol Market 2024

Ethanol Market Size in Belgium

The Belgian ethanol market soared to $X in 2022, rising by 179% against the previous year. Overall, consumption showed a temperate expansion. Over the period under review, the market attained the maximum level at $X in 2020; however, from 2021 to 2022, consumption remained at a lower figure.

Ethanol Production in Belgium

In value terms, ethanol production contracted to $X in 2022 estimated in export price. In general, the total production indicated a modest expansion from 2012 to 2022: its value increased at an average annual rate of +1.2% over the last decade. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2022 figures, production increased by +56.4% against 2016 indices. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2021 with an increase of 28% against the previous year. As a result, production attained the peak level of $X, and then contracted in the following year.

Ethanol Exports

Exports from Belgium

In 2022, after two years of growth, there was significant decline in overseas shipments of ethyl alcohol, when their volume decreased by -28% to X litres. In general, exports, however, showed a temperate expansion. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2017 when exports increased by 328%. The exports peaked at X litres in 2021, and then dropped sharply in the following year.

In value terms, ethanol exports totaled $X in 2022. Overall, exports, however, recorded a measured expansion. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2020 with an increase of 85%. The exports peaked in 2022 and are likely to continue growth in the near future.

Exports by Country

The Netherlands (X litres) was the main destination for ethanol exports from Belgium, with a 56% share of total exports. Moreover, ethanol exports to the Netherlands exceeded the volume sent to the second major destination, Germany (X litres), twofold. France (X litres) ranked third in terms of total exports with a 14% share.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual rate of growth in terms of volume to the Netherlands stood at +10.4%. Exports to the other major destinations recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: Germany (-3.9% per year) and France (+17.4% per year).

In value terms, the Netherlands ($X) remains the key foreign market for ethyl alcohol exports from Belgium, comprising 56% of total exports. The second position in the ranking was held by Germany ($X), with a 21% share of total exports. It was followed by France, with a 16% share.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual rate of growth in terms of value to the Netherlands totaled +11.9%. Exports to the other major destinations recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: Germany (-4.2% per year) and France (+21.0% per year).

Export Prices by Country

The average ethanol export price stood at $X per litre in 2022, picking up by 48% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the export price saw modest growth. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2016 an increase of 519% against the previous year. As a result, the export price attained the peak level of $X per litre. From 2017 to 2022, the average export prices remained at a lower figure.

Average prices varied somewhat for the major overseas markets. In 2022, amid the top suppliers, the countries with the highest prices were Italy ($X per litre) and France ($X per litre), while the average price for exports to Germany ($X per litre) and the Netherlands ($X per litre) were amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was recorded for supplies to Italy (+3.2%), while the prices for the other major destinations experienced more modest paces of growth.

Ethanol Imports

Imports into Belgium

Ethanol imports into Belgium declined markedly to X litres in 2022, dropping by -18.2% against 2021. Overall, imports, however, saw a resilient increase. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2017 with an increase of 178% against the previous year. Imports peaked at X litres in 2020; however, from 2021 to 2022, imports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

In value terms, ethanol imports reduced slightly to $X in 2022. Over the period under review, imports, however, posted strong growth. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2020 when imports increased by 74% against the previous year. Over the period under review, imports hit record highs at $X in 2021, and then shrank in the following year.

Imports by Country

In 2022, the Netherlands (X litres) constituted the largest ethanol supplier to Belgium, accounting for a 50% share of total imports. Moreover, ethanol imports from the Netherlands exceeded the figures recorded by the second-largest supplier, Germany (X litres), threefold. The third position in this ranking was taken by France (X litres), with a 16% share.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual rate of growth in terms of volume from the Netherlands amounted to +21.8%. The remaining supplying countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: Germany (+12.3% per year) and France (+4.2% per year).

In value terms, the Netherlands ($X) constituted the largest supplier of ethyl alcohol to Belgium, comprising 57% of total imports. The second position in the ranking was held by France ($X), with an 18% share of total imports. It was followed by Germany, with a 10% share.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual rate of growth in terms of value from the Netherlands stood at +21.6%. The remaining supplying countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: France (+4.2% per year) and Germany (+5.0% per year).

Import Prices by Country

In 2022, the average ethanol import price amounted to $X per litre, growing by 19% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the import price, however, saw a relatively flat trend pattern. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2016 an increase of 164% against the previous year. As a result, import price attained the peak level of $X per litre. From 2017 to 2022, the average import prices failed to regain momentum.

There were significant differences in the average prices amongst the major supplying countries. In 2022, amid the top importers, the country with the highest price was the Netherlands ($X per litre), while the price for Germany ($X per litre) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by the UK (+0.6%), while the prices for the other major suppliers experienced a decline.

Source: IndexBox Platform

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