Wool Grease Market

The article discusses the global market for wool grease and fatty substances, forecasting an increase in consumption and production over the next eight years. Consumption patterns, market values, and trends in key consuming and producing countries are analyzed, along with insights into import and export data. China emerges as a major player in production and export of wool grease, while Germany, the UK, and the United States lead in import volumes. Price trends, growth rates, and market dynamics are also examined in detail.

Market Forecast

Driven by increasing demand for wool grease and fatty substances worldwide, the market is expected to continue an upward consumption trend over the next eight-year period. Market performance is forecast to accelerate, expanding with an anticipated CAGR of +1.0% for the period from 2022 to 2030, which is projected to bring the market volume to 39K tons by the end of 2030.

In value terms, the market is forecast to increase with an anticipated CAGR of +2.6% for the period from 2022 to 2030, which is projected to bring the market value to $301M (in nominal prices) by the end of 2030.

Consumption

World Consumption of Wool Grease And Fatty Substances

In 2022, approx. 36K tons of wool grease and fatty substances were consumed worldwide; with an increase of 6.8% compared with the year before. In general, consumption saw a relatively flat trend pattern. As a result, consumption reached the peak volume of 36K tons. From 2017 to 2022, the growth of the global consumption remained at a lower figure.

The global wool grease market value soared to $244M in 2022, increasing by 15% against 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 saw a relatively flat trend pattern. Over the period under review, the global market reached the peak level at $248M in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2022, consumption remained at a lower figure.

Consumption By Country

The countries with the highest volumes of consumption in 2022 were Australia (5.5K tons), Germany (4.3K tons) and Japan (3.2K tons), together accounting for 36% of global consumption. China, New Zealand, the United States, the UK, the Czech Republic, Italy, Uruguay, Singapore, the Netherlands and Bulgaria lagged somewhat behind, together accounting for a further 40%.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of consumption, amongst the leading consuming countries, was attained by Uruguay (with a CAGR of +11.9%), while consumption for the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, Germany ($31M), Australia ($28M) and Japan ($16M) were the countries with the highest levels of market value in 2022, together comprising 31% of the global market. The United States, China, New Zealand, the UK, the Netherlands, Italy, the Czech Republic, Singapore, Uruguay and Bulgaria lagged somewhat behind, together accounting for a further 36%.

In terms of the main consuming countries, Uruguay, with a CAGR of +11.4%, recorded the highest growth rate of market size over the period under review, while market for the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

The countries with the highest levels of wool grease per capita consumption in 2022 were New Zealand (433 kg per 1000 persons), Uruguay (315 kg per 1000 persons) and Australia (209 kg per 1000 persons).

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of consumption, amongst the main consuming countries, was attained by Uruguay (with a CAGR of +11.5%), while consumption for the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Production

World Production of Wool Grease And Fatty Substances

In 2022, global wool grease production was estimated at 38K tons, surging by 7.7% compared with 2021. The total output volume increased at an average annual rate of +1.8% over the period from 2012 to 2022; the trend pattern remained relatively stable, with only minor fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2016 when the production volume increased by 9.4% against the previous year. Global production peaked in 2022 and is likely to see gradual growth in the near future.

In value terms, wool grease production shrank slightly to $182M in 2022 estimated in export price. In general, production recorded a relatively flat trend pattern. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2016 with an increase of 34% against the previous year. As a result, production attained the peak level of $201M. From 2017 to 2022, global production growth remained at a somewhat lower figure.

Production By Country

China (14K tons) remains the largest wool grease producing country worldwide, accounting for 37% of total volume. Moreover, wool grease production in China exceeded the figures recorded by the second-largest producer, Australia (6.3K tons), twofold. The third position in this ranking was held by New Zealand (4.2K tons), with an 11% share.

In China, wool grease production remained relatively stable over the period from 2012-2022. The remaining producing countries recorded the following average annual rates of production growth: Australia (+1.3% per year) and New Zealand (+1.5% per year).

Imports

World Imports of Wool Grease And Fatty Substances

In 2022, the amount of wool grease and fatty substances imported worldwide reduced to 34K tons, therefore, remained relatively stable against the previous year. Over the period under review, imports continue to indicate a pronounced reduction. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2017 with an increase of 10% against the previous year. Over the period under review, global imports reached the peak figure at 43K tons in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, imports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

In value terms, wool grease imports skyrocketed to $269M in 2022. In general, imports showed a slight slump. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2021 with an increase of 33% against the previous year. Over the period under review, global imports attained the maximum at $339M in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2022, imports failed to regain momentum.

Imports By Country

In 2022, Germany (5.7K tons), Japan (5.1K tons), the United States (4.9K tons) and the UK (4.3K tons) was the major importer of wool grease and fatty substances in the world, generating 59% of total import. It was distantly followed by Belgium (2K tons), comprising a 6% share of total imports. India (1.4K tons), the Netherlands (1.1K tons), Uruguay (1K tons), Brazil (1K tons) and Italy (0.6K tons) followed a long way behind the leaders.

From 2012 to 2022, the biggest increases were recorded for India (with a CAGR of +12.6%), while purchases for the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, the largest wool grease importing markets worldwide were Germany ($43M), the United States ($36M) and Japan ($29M), together accounting for 40% of global imports. The UK, Belgium, the Netherlands, Brazil, India, Uruguay and Italy lagged somewhat behind, together comprising a further 32%.

Among the main importing countries, India, with a CAGR of +10.3%, recorded the highest growth rate of the value of imports, over the period under review, while purchases for the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Import Prices By Country

The average wool grease import price stood at $7,996 per ton in 2022, growing by 16% against the previous year. In general, import price indicated slight growth 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, wool grease import price increased by +40.5% against 2020 indices. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2013 an increase of 28%. As a result, import price attained the peak level of $9,198 per ton. From 2014 to 2022, the average import prices remained at a somewhat lower figure.

Prices varied noticeably by country of destination: amid the top importers, the country with the highest price was the Netherlands ($12,918 per ton), while Japan ($5,600 per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by the Netherlands (+9.5%), while the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Exports

World Exports of Wool Grease And Fatty Substances

In 2022, overseas shipments of wool grease and fatty substances increased by 1% to 35K tons, rising for the second consecutive year after two years of decline. Over the period under review, exports, however, continue to indicate a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2017 when exports increased by 20%. Over the period under review, the global exports reached the peak figure at 41K tons in 2015; however, from 2016 to 2022, the exports remained at a lower figure.

In value terms, wool grease exports expanded markedly to $283M in 2022. In general, exports, however, continue to indicate a relatively flat trend pattern. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2021 when exports increased by 34%. Over the period under review, the global exports hit record highs at $326M in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2022, the exports remained at a lower figure.

Exports By Country

China was the largest exporting country with an export of around 12K tons, which accounted for 33% of total exports. The UK (4.6K tons) held a 13% share (based on physical terms) of total exports, which put it in second place, followed by the United States (8.4%), New Zealand (5.9%), Belgium (5.5%) and Japan (5.4%). Germany (1.4K tons), Uruguay (1.4K tons), the Czech Republic (1.2K tons), Australia (1.1K tons), India (0.9K tons), Italy (0.9K tons) and Saudi Arabia (0.7K tons) took a little share of total exports.

China experienced a relatively flat trend pattern with regard to volume of exports of wool grease and fatty substances. At the same time, Saudi Arabia (+54.1%), Germany (+3.8%), India (+2.9%), the United States (+1.8%) and the Czech Republic (+1.1%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, Saudi Arabia emerged as the fastest-growing exporter exported in the world, with a CAGR of +54.1% from 2012-2022. Italy and Japan experienced a relatively flat trend pattern. By contrast, New Zealand (-1.1%), the UK (-1.4%), Australia (-2.4%), Belgium (-3.4%) and Uruguay (-3.6%) illustrated a downward trend over the same period. Saudi Arabia (+2 p.p.) and the United States (+2 p.p.) significantly strengthened its position in terms of the global exports, while Belgium saw its share reduced by -1.7% from 2012 to 2022, respectively. The shares of the other countries remained relatively stable throughout the analyzed period.

In value terms, the largest wool grease supplying countries worldwide were China ($71M), the UK ($52M) and Belgium ($25M), together comprising 52% of global exports. Japan, Germany, New Zealand, Uruguay, the United States, India, the Czech Republic, Australia, Italy and Saudi Arabia lagged somewhat behind, together comprising a further 37%.

Among the main exporting countries, Saudi Arabia, with a CAGR of +30.1%, 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

In 2022, the average wool grease export price amounted to $7,986 per ton, surging by 9.7% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the export price, however, showed a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2021 when the average export price increased by 21% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the average export prices attained the peak figure at $9,193 per ton in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2022, the export prices failed to regain momentum.

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 Germany ($14,706 per ton), while Saudi Arabia ($584 per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Germany (+4.2%), while the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Market Intelligence Platform