France: Methanol Market 2024

Methanol Market Size in France

In 2022, the French methanol market increased by 1.1% to $X, rising for the second consecutive year after two years of decline. In general, consumption saw a mild descent. Over the period under review, the market reached the peak level at $X in 2014; however, from 2015 to 2022, consumption remained at a lower figure.

Methanol Production in France

In value terms, methanol production surged to $X in 2022 estimated in export price. Over the period under review, the total production indicated measured growth from 2012 to 2022: its value increased at an average annual rate of +3.4% over the last decade. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2018 when the production volume increased by 24%. As a result, production attained the peak level of $X. From 2019 to 2022, production growth failed to regain momentum.

Methanol Exports

Exports from France

Methanol exports from France dropped slightly to X tons in 2022, remaining relatively unchanged against 2021 figures. In general, exports, however, saw a relatively flat trend pattern. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2014 when exports increased by 145% against the previous year. As a result, the exports attained the peak of X tons. From 2015 to 2022, the growth of the exports failed to regain momentum.

In value terms, methanol exports expanded modestly to $X in 2022. Overall, exports, however, posted a resilient expansion. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2014 when exports increased by 159%. As a result, the exports attained the peak of $X. From 2015 to 2022, the growth of the exports failed to regain momentum.

Exports by Country

Germany (X tons) was the main destination for methanol exports from France, accounting for a 45% share of total exports. Moreover, methanol exports to Germany exceeded the volume sent to the second major destination, Belgium (X tons), twofold. The third position in this ranking was held by Spain (X tons), with an 11% share.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual growth rate of volume to Germany amounted to -1.1%. Exports to the other major destinations recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: Belgium (+16.7% per year) and Spain (+7.4% per year).

In value terms, Germany ($X) remains the key foreign market for methanol (methyl alcohol) exports from France, comprising 41% of total exports. The second position in the ranking was taken by Belgium ($X), with an 18% share of total exports. It was followed by Spain, with a 4.6% share.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual rate of growth in terms of value to Germany totaled +4.6%. Exports to the other major destinations recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: Belgium (+19.0% per year) and Spain (-0.2% per year).

Export Prices by Country

In 2022, the average methanol export price amounted to $X per ton, surging by 4.5% against the previous year. Overall, the export price continues to indicate a tangible increase. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2018 an increase of 42% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the average export prices hit record highs in 2022 and is expected to retain growth in years to come.

There were significant differences in the average prices for the major external markets. In 2022, amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was Switzerland ($X per ton), while the average price for exports to Spain ($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 Mauritania (+24.3%), while the prices for the other major destinations experienced more modest paces of growth.

Methanol Imports

Imports into France

In 2022, supplies from abroad of methanol (methyl alcohol) decreased by -0.9% to X tons for the first time since 2019, thus ending a two-year rising trend. Overall, imports showed a pronounced slump. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2017 when imports increased by 11%. Imports peaked at X tons in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, imports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

In value terms, methanol imports rose slightly to $X in 2022. In general, imports showed a mild downturn. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2021 when imports increased by 64%. Imports peaked at $X in 2014; however, from 2015 to 2022, imports failed to regain momentum.

Imports by Country

The United States (X tons), Trinidad and Tobago (X tons) and Egypt (X tons) were the main suppliers of methanol imports to France, with a combined 84% share of total imports.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of purchases, amongst the main suppliers, was attained by the United States (with a CAGR of +152.6%), while imports for the other leaders experienced mixed trend patterns.

In value terms, the largest methanol suppliers to France were the United States ($X), Trinidad and Tobago ($X) and Egypt ($X), with a combined 82% share of total imports. The Netherlands, Belgium, Saudi Arabia and Norway lagged somewhat behind, together accounting for a further 16%.

In terms of the main suppliers, Saudi Arabia, with a CAGR of +147.6%, saw 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

The average methanol import price stood at $X per ton in 2022, increasing by 3% against the previous year. Over the period under review, import price indicated a slight expansion from 2012 to 2022: its price increased at an average annual rate of +1.1% over the last decade. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2022 figures, methanol import price increased by +68.5% against 2020 indices. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2021 when the average import price increased by 64%. The import price peaked at $X per ton in 2014; however, from 2015 to 2022, import prices failed to regain momentum.

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

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Norway (+4.5%), while the prices for the other major suppliers experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Platform

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