Belgium: Sorbitol Market 2024

Sorbitol Market Size in Belgium

In 2021, the Belgian sorbitol market increased by 12% to $X, rising for the second year in a row after two years of decline. Over the period under review, consumption, however, showed a relatively flat trend pattern. Over the period under review, the market reached the peak level at $X in 2012; afterwards, it flattened through to 2021.

Sorbitol Exports

Exports from Belgium

In 2021, overseas shipments of sorbitol (excluding d-glucitol) increased by 14% to X tons, rising for the fourth consecutive year after four years of decline. Over the period under review, exports, however, showed a perceptible curtailment. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2018 with an increase of 55%. Over the period under review, the exports hit record highs at X tons in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2021, the exports failed to regain momentum.

In value terms, sorbitol exports soared to $X in 2021. Overall, exports, however, recorded a noticeable decline. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2018 with an increase of 72% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the exports reached the maximum at $X in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2021, the exports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Exports by Country

The Netherlands (X tons) was the main destination for sorbitol exports from Belgium, accounting for a 44% share of total exports. Moreover, sorbitol exports to the Netherlands exceeded the volume sent to the second major destination, France (X tons), fourfold. Germany (X tons) ranked third in terms of total exports with a 9.3% share.

From 2012 to 2021, the average annual growth rate of volume to the Netherlands amounted to +23.0%. Exports to the other major destinations recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: France (+12.7% per year) and Germany (+7.6% per year).

In value terms, the Netherlands ($X) remains the key foreign market for sorbitol (excluding d-glucitol) exports from Belgium, comprising 46% of total exports. The second position in the ranking was taken by France ($X), with a 10% share of total exports. It was followed by Germany, with an 8.5% share.

From 2012 to 2021, the average annual growth rate of value to the Netherlands totaled +21.5%. Exports to the other major destinations recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: France (+15.8% per year) and Germany (+6.7% per year).

Export Prices by Country

In 2021, the average sorbitol export price amounted to $X per ton, surging by 2.3% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the export price recorded a relatively flat trend pattern. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2017 when the average export price increased by 23%. Over the period under review, the average export prices reached the maximum at $X per ton in 2019; however, from 2020 to 2021, the export prices stood at a somewhat lower figure.

There were significant differences in the average prices for the major foreign markets. In 2021, the country with the highest price was Algeria ($X per ton), while the average price for exports to Greece ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was recorded for supplies to Algeria (+15.7%), while the prices for the other major destinations experienced more modest paces of growth.

Sorbitol Imports

Imports into Belgium

In 2021, purchases abroad of sorbitol (excluding d-glucitol) increased by 16% to X tons, rising for the second year in a row after seven years of decline. Over the period under review, imports, however, showed a perceptible curtailment. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2020 when imports increased by 68% against the previous year. Imports peaked at X tons in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2021, imports remained at a lower figure.

In value terms, sorbitol imports rose rapidly to $X in 2021. In general, imports posted a modest expansion. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2020 with an increase of 87%. Imports peaked in 2021 and are likely to see steady growth in years to come.

Imports by Country

In 2021, France (X tons) constituted the largest supplier of sorbitol to Belgium, with a 82% share of total imports. Moreover, sorbitol imports from France exceeded the figures recorded by the second-largest supplier, the Netherlands (X tons), sixfold.

From 2012 to 2021, the average annual growth rate of volume from France totaled -5.6%. The remaining supplying countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: the Netherlands (+27.5% per year) and Germany (+13.6% per year).

In value terms, France ($X) constituted the largest supplier of sorbitol (excluding d-glucitol) to Belgium, comprising 70% of total imports. The second position in the ranking was taken by the Netherlands ($X), with a 26% share of total imports.

From 2012 to 2021, the average annual rate of growth in terms of value from France amounted to -2.3%. The remaining supplying countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: the Netherlands (+32.9% per year) and Germany (+17.7% per year).

Import Prices by Country

In 2021, the average sorbitol import price amounted to $X per ton, declining by -4.6% against the previous year. Over the period under review, import price indicated a prominent expansion from 2012 to 2021: its price increased at an average annual rate of +5.3% over the last nine years. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2021 figures, sorbitol import price increased by +50.5% against 2015 indices. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2018 when the average import price increased by 20% against the previous year. Over the period under review, average import prices hit record highs at $X per ton in 2020, and then fell slightly in the following year.

Prices varied noticeably country of origin: the country with the highest price was the Netherlands ($X per ton), while the price for France ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by the Netherlands (+4.3%), while the prices for the other major suppliers experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Platform

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