Sorbitol Market

The article provides a comprehensive analysis of the global sorbitol market, projecting an increase in consumption, production, imports, and exports over the next eight years. Key insights include the forecasted market volume and value, top consuming and producing countries, import and export trends, and average prices. China leads in both consumption and production, while France tops the list of exporting countries. The data indicates a positive outlook for the sorbitol market, with growth expected to continue in the immediate term.

Market Forecast

Driven by rising demand for sorbitol worldwide, the market is expected to start an upward consumption trend over the next eight years. The performance of the market is forecast to increase slightly, with an anticipated CAGR of +0.6% for the period from 2022 to 2030, which is projected to bring the market volume to 4.5M tons by the end of 2030.

In value terms, the market is forecast to increase with an anticipated CAGR of +2.7% for the period from 2022 to 2030, which is projected to bring the market value to $6.8B (in nominal prices) by the end of 2030.

Consumption

World Consumption of D-Glucitol (Sorbitol)

In 2022, consumption of d-glucitol (sorbitol) was finally on the rise to reach 4.3M tons for the first time since 2018, thus ending a three-year declining trend. Over the period under review, consumption, however, saw a slight curtailment. Global consumption peaked at 5.1M tons in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, consumption remained at a lower figure.

The global sorbitol market size fell modestly to $5.4B in 2022, stabilizing at the previous year. This figure reflects the total revenues of producers and importers (excluding logistics costs, retail marketing costs, and retailers' margins, which will be included in the final consumer price). Overall, consumption, however, saw a pronounced slump. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2021 with an increase of 8.3% against the previous year. Global consumption peaked at $6.8B in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, consumption remained at a lower figure.

Consumption By Country

China (1.3M tons) constituted the country with the largest volume of sorbitol consumption, comprising approx. 29% of total volume. Moreover, sorbitol consumption in China exceeded the figures recorded by the second-largest consumer, India (510K tons), twofold. The United States (442K tons) ranked third in terms of total consumption with a 10% share.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual rate of growth in terms of volume in China amounted to +1.0%. The remaining consuming countries recorded the following average annual rates of consumption growth: India (+0.2% per year) and the United States (-8.4% per year).

In value terms, China ($946M) led the market, alone. The second position in the ranking was held by Japan ($415M). It was followed by the United States.

In China, the sorbitol market remained relatively stable over the period from 2012-2022. In the other countries, the average annual rates were as follows: Japan (-1.6% per year) and the United States (-7.9% per year).

The countries with the highest levels of sorbitol per capita consumption in 2022 were Saudi Arabia (2 kg per person), Poland (2 kg per person) and Russia (1.6 kg per person).

From 2012 to 2022, the biggest increases were recorded for Saudi Arabia (with a CAGR of +8.5%), while consumption for the other global leaders experienced mixed trends in the per capita consumption figures.

Production

World Production of D-Glucitol (Sorbitol)

In 2022, production of d-glucitol (sorbitol) increased by 1.9% to 4.3M tons for the first time since 2018, thus ending a three-year declining trend. Overall, production, however, recorded a slight descent. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2018 when the production volume increased by 2% against the previous year. Global production peaked at 4.9M tons in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, production failed to regain momentum.

In value terms, sorbitol production declined to $5B in 2022 estimated in export price. Over the period under review, production, however, saw a noticeable reduction. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2021 when the production volume increased by 13%. Over the period under review, global production attained the peak level at $6.4B in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, production stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Production By Country

The country with the largest volume of sorbitol production was China (1.4M tons), comprising approx. 33% of total volume. Moreover, sorbitol production in China exceeded the figures recorded by the second-largest producer, India (581K tons), twofold. The third position in this ranking was taken by the United States (452K tons), with an 11% share.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual growth rate of volume in China amounted to +1.8%. In the other countries, the average annual rates were as follows: India (+1.2% per year) and the United States (-8.5% per year).

Imports

World Imports of D-Glucitol (Sorbitol)

For the third year in a row, the global market recorded growth in supplies from abroad of d-glucitol (sorbitol), which increased by 7.6% to 499K tons in 2022. The total import volume increased at an average annual rate of +2.7% over the period from 2012 to 2022; the trend pattern remained consistent, with somewhat noticeable fluctuations throughout the analyzed period. As a result, imports reached the peak and are likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

In value terms, sorbitol imports skyrocketed to $589M in 2022. Over the period under review, total imports indicated noticeable growth from 2012 to 2022: its value increased at an average annual rate of +4.6% over the last decade. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2022 figures, imports increased by +38.9% against 2020 indices. As a result, imports attained the peak and are likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

Imports By Country

The purchases of the twelve major importers of d-glucitol (sorbitol), namely Nigeria, Japan, Germany, Poland, the Netherlands, Thailand, Russia, Turkey, South Korea, Brazil, the UK and Canada, represented more than half of total import. Mexico (11K tons) took a minor share of total imports.

From 2012 to 2022, the biggest increases were recorded for Nigeria (with a CAGR of +34.4%), while purchases for the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, the largest sorbitol importing markets worldwide were Nigeria ($76M), Poland ($43M) and Germany ($37M), together accounting for 26% of global imports.

Nigeria, with a CAGR of +41.4%, saw the highest growth rate of the value of imports, in terms of the main importing countries over the period under review, while purchases for the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Import Prices By Country

The average sorbitol import price stood at $1,181 per ton in 2022, picking up by 16% against the previous year. Over the last decade, it increased at an average annual rate of +1.9%. As a result, import price attained the peak level and is likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

There were significant differences in the average prices amongst the major importing countries. In 2022, amid the top importers, the country with the highest price was the UK ($1,864 per ton), while Thailand ($778 per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Nigeria (+5.2%), while the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Exports

World Exports of D-Glucitol (Sorbitol)

In 2022, approx. 469K tons of d-glucitol (sorbitol) were exported worldwide; increasing by 9.4% on the previous year. Over the period under review, exports continue to indicate a resilient expansion. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2021 with an increase of 40% against the previous year. The global exports peaked in 2022 and are expected to retain growth in the immediate term.

In value terms, sorbitol exports surged to $454M in 2022. In general, exports showed resilient growth. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2021 when exports increased by 67%. Over the period under review, the global exports attained the maximum in 2022 and are expected to retain growth in years to come.

Exports By Country

The shipments of the three major exporters of d-glucitol (sorbitol), namely China, France and India, represented more than two-thirds of total export. It was distantly followed by Indonesia (46K tons), comprising a 9.7% share of total exports. The following exporters - the United States (20K tons), Thailand (18K tons) and Italy (18K tons) - each reached a 12% share of total exports.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of shipments, amongst the key exporting countries, was attained by Italy (with a CAGR of +37.9%), while the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, the largest sorbitol supplying countries worldwide were France ($143M), China ($121M) and India ($50M), together accounting for 69% of global exports. Indonesia, the United States, Italy and Thailand lagged somewhat behind, together accounting for a further 21%.

In terms of the main exporting countries, Italy, with a CAGR of +39.8%, recorded the highest growth rate of the value of exports, over the period under review, while shipments for the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Export Prices By Country

The average sorbitol export price stood at $969 per ton in 2022, rising by 7.6% against the previous year. Over the last decade, it increased at an average annual rate of +2.3%. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2021 when the average export price increased by 19%. Over the period under review, the average export prices hit record highs in 2022 and is expected to retain growth in the immediate term.

There were significant differences in the average prices amongst the major exporting countries. In 2022, amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was France ($1,269 per ton), while India ($648 per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by France (+8.2%), while the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Market Intelligence Platform