Eastern Europe: Sorbitol Market 2024

Sorbitol Exports

Exports in Eastern Europe

In 2021, shipments abroad of sorbitol (excluding d-glucitol) decreased by -12.4% to X tons for the first time since 2018, thus ending a two-year rising trend. Over the period under review, exports, however, showed significant growth. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2019 with an increase of 153% against the previous year. The volume of export peaked at X tons in 2020, and then reduced in the following year.

In value terms, sorbitol exports reduced to $X in 2021. Overall, exports, however, enjoyed a buoyant increase. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2014 when exports increased by 283% against the previous year. As a result, the exports attained the peak of $X. From 2015 to 2021, the growth of the exports remained at a lower figure.

Exports by Country

In 2021, the Czech Republic (X tons) was the main exporter of sorbitol (excluding d-glucitol), comprising 63% of total exports. Hungary (X tons) held an 11% share (based on physical terms) of total exports, which put it in second place, followed by Bulgaria (10%) and Poland (7.2%). Russia (X tons) and Lithuania (X tons) held a minor share of total exports.

From 2012 to 2021, average annual rates of growth with regard to sorbitol exports from the Czech Republic stood at +58.4%. At the same time, Hungary (+89.9%), Bulgaria (+23.3%), Russia (+19.8%), Poland (+7.1%) and Lithuania (+2.1%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, Hungary emerged as the fastest-growing exporter exported in Eastern Europe, with a CAGR of +89.9% from 2012-2021. From 2012 to 2021, the share of the Czech Republic and Hungary increased by +55 and +11 percentage points, respectively. The shares of the other countries remained relatively stable throughout the analyzed period.

In value terms, the Czech Republic ($X) remains the largest sorbitol supplier in Eastern Europe, comprising 59% of total exports. The second position in the ranking was taken by Bulgaria ($X), with a 10% share of total exports. It was followed by Hungary, with an 8.5% share.

In the Czech Republic, sorbitol exports increased at an average annual rate of +55.2% over the period from 2012-2021. In the other countries, the average annual rates were as follows: Bulgaria (+21.7% per year) and Hungary (+69.1% per year).

Export Prices by Country

In 2021, the export price in Eastern Europe amounted to $X per ton, leveling off at the previous year. Overall, the export price saw a abrupt shrinkage. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2014 an increase of 111%. As a result, the export price reached the peak level of $X per ton. From 2015 to 2021, the export prices remained at a somewhat lower figure.

There were significant differences in the average prices amongst the major exporting countries. In 2021, the country with the highest price was Russia ($X per ton), while Hungary ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Russia (+0.5%), while the other leaders experienced a decline in the export price figures.

Sorbitol Imports

Imports in Eastern Europe

Sorbitol imports skyrocketed to X tons in 2021, jumping by 18% compared with 2020. Overall, imports showed a significant increase. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2013 when imports increased by 158% against the previous year. The volume of import peaked in 2021 and is likely to see steady growth in the immediate term.

In value terms, sorbitol imports surged to $X in 2021. In general, imports posted a remarkable increase. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2013 with an increase of 208% against the previous year. Over the period under review, imports reached the peak figure in 2021 and are likely to see steady growth in the immediate term.

Imports by Country

Poland was the main importer of sorbitol (excluding d-glucitol) in Eastern Europe, with the volume of imports accounting for X tons, which was near 47% of total imports in 2021. Slovakia (X tons) held a 19% share (based on physical terms) of total imports, which put it in second place, followed by Russia (18%) and Bulgaria (7.3%). Ukraine (X tons) and the Czech Republic (X tons) took a relatively small share of total imports.

Imports into Poland increased at an average annual rate of +25.4% from 2012 to 2021. At the same time, Slovakia (+61.2%), Bulgaria (+19.1%), Russia (+16.9%), the Czech Republic (+4.5%) and Ukraine (+1.3%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, Slovakia emerged as the fastest-growing importer imported in Eastern Europe, with a CAGR of +61.2% from 2012-2021. While the share of Slovakia (+17 p.p.) and Poland (+15 p.p.) increased significantly in terms of the total imports from 2012-2021, the share of Russia (-5.1 p.p.), the Czech Republic (-5.4 p.p.) and Ukraine (-13.4 p.p.) displayed negative dynamics. The shares of the other countries remained relatively stable throughout the analyzed period.

In value terms, Poland ($X) constitutes the largest market for imported sorbitol (excluding d-glucitol) in Eastern Europe, comprising 46% of total imports. The second position in the ranking was held by Slovakia ($X), with an 18% share of total imports. It was followed by Russia, with a 17% share.

From 2012 to 2021, the average annual rate of growth in terms of value in Poland stood at +24.5%. In the other countries, the average annual rates were as follows: Slovakia (+53.4% per year) and Russia (+16.3% per year).

Import Prices by Country

The import price in Eastern Europe stood at $X per ton in 2021, approximately equating the previous year. In general, the import price recorded a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2018 when the import price increased by 30% against the previous year. The level of import peaked at $X per ton in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2021, import prices failed to regain momentum.

Average prices varied noticeably amongst the major importing countries. In 2021, major importing countries recorded the following prices: in the Czech Republic ($X per ton) and Bulgaria ($X per ton), while Russia ($X per ton) and Poland ($X per ton) were amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by the Czech Republic (+1.7%), while the other leaders experienced mixed trends in the import price figures.

Source: IndexBox Platform

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