Apr 12, 2025
IndexBox has just published a new report: United Kingdom – Ethyl Alcohol – Market Analysis, Forecast, Size, Trends and Insights.
The UK ethyl alcohol market is on the rise, with a forecasted CAGR of +3.0% for volume and +3.4% for value from 2024 to 2035. As demand continues to grow, the market is expected to reach significant milestones by the end of the next decade.
Market Forecast
Driven by increasing demand for ethyl alcohol in the UK, the market is expected to continue an upward consumption trend over the next decade. Market performance is forecast to decelerate, expanding with an anticipated CAGR of +3.0% for the period from 2024 to 2035, which is projected to bring the market volume to 1.5B litres by the end of 2035.
In value terms, the market is forecast to increase with an anticipated CAGR of +3.4% for the period from 2024 to 2035, which is projected to bring the market value to $1.3B (in nominal wholesale prices) by the end of 2035.
ConsumptionUnited Kingdom’s Consumption of Ethyl Alcohol
In 2024, consumption of ethyl alcohol decreased by -11.5% to 1.1B litres for the first time since 2020, thus ending a three-year rising trend. Overall, consumption, however, showed a moderate expansion. Over the period under review, consumption attained the maximum volume at 1.2B litres in 2023, and then declined in the following year.
The revenue of the ethanol market in the UK declined to $871M in 2024, shrinking by -14.5% 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). In general, consumption, however, recorded a pronounced increase. Ethanol consumption peaked at $1.2B in 2022; however, from 2023 to 2024, consumption failed to regain momentum.
ProductionUnited Kingdom’s Production of Ethyl Alcohol
In 2024, the amount of ethyl alcohol produced in the UK expanded to 148M litres, surging by 4.5% against 2023. Over the period under review, production enjoyed a strong expansion. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2014 with an increase of 68% against the previous year. Over the period under review, production hit record highs at 154M litres in 2022; however, from 2023 to 2024, production remained at a lower figure.
In value terms, ethanol production totaled $156M in 2024 estimated in export price. In general, production saw a significant increase. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2014 when the production volume increased by 54%. Ethanol production peaked at $169M in 2022; however, from 2023 to 2024, production stood at a somewhat lower figure.
ImportsUnited Kingdom’s Imports of Ethyl Alcohol
Ethanol imports into the UK amounted to 1.3B litres in 2024, surging by 1.8% compared with the year before. In general, imports enjoyed a prominent expansion. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2015 when imports increased by 47% against the previous year. Imports peaked in 2024 and are expected to retain growth in the near future.
In value terms, ethanol imports declined slightly to $1B in 2024. Over the period under review, imports posted a temperate expansion. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2022 with an increase of 89%. As a result, imports reached the peak of $1.1B. From 2023 to 2024, the growth of imports failed to regain momentum.
Imports By Country
The United States (604M litres), Brazil (312M litres) and Paraguay (52M litres) were the main suppliers of ethanol imports to the UK, with a combined 77% share of total imports.
From 2013 to 2023, the biggest increases were recorded for Brazil (with a CAGR of +157.2%), while purchases for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.
In value terms, the United States ($509M) constituted the largest supplier of ethyl alcohol to the UK, comprising 49% of total imports. The second position in the ranking was taken by Brazil ($251M), with a 24% share of total imports. It was followed by Paraguay, with a 4.8% share.
From 2013 to 2023, the average annual rate of growth in terms of value from the United States amounted to +47.0%. The remaining supplying countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: Brazil (+149.3% per year) and Paraguay (+109.6% per year).
Imports By Type
In 2024, undenatured ethyl alcohol of alcoholic strength by volume over 80% (1.2B litres) was the main type of ethyl alcohol supplied to the UK, accounting for a 91% share of total imports. Moreover, undenatured ethyl alcohol of alcoholic strength by volume over 80% exceeded the figures recorded for the second-largest type, denatured ethyl alcohol and other denatured spirits (115M litres), tenfold.
From 2013 to 2024, the average annual growth rate of the volume of undenatured ethyl alcohol of alcoholic strength by volume over 80% imports amounted to +10.9%.
In value terms, undenatured ethyl alcohol of alcoholic strength by volume over 80% ($845M) constituted the largest type of ethyl alcohol supplied to the UK, comprising 84% of total imports. The second position in the ranking was taken by denatured ethyl alcohol and other denatured spirits ($162M), with a 16% share of total imports.
From 2013 to 2024, the average annual rate of growth in terms of the value of undenatured ethyl alcohol of alcoholic strength by volume over 80% imports totaled +8.8%.
Import Prices By Type
In 2024, the average ethanol import price amounted to $783 per thousand litres, falling by -4.4% against the previous year. Overall, the import price saw a slight shrinkage. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2022 when the average import price increased by 32% against the previous year. As a result, import price reached the peak level of $1.1 per litre. From 2023 to 2024, the average import prices failed to regain momentum.
There were significant differences in the average prices amongst the major supplied products. In 2024, the product with the highest price was denatured ethyl alcohol and other denatured spirits ($1.4 per litre), while the price for undenatured ethyl alcohol of alcoholic strength by volume over 80% stood at $721 per thousand litres.
From 2013 to 2024, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by denatured ethyl alcohol (+3.0%).
Import Prices By Country
The average ethanol import price stood at $820 per thousand litres in 2023, declining by -27.8% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the import price saw a mild decline. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2022 when the average import price increased by 32%. As a result, import price attained the peak level of $1.1 per litre, and then reduced notably in the following year.
Prices varied noticeably by country of origin: amid the top importers, the country with the highest price was Spain ($1.6 per litre), while the price for Brazil ($805 per thousand litres) was amongst the lowest.
From 2013 to 2023, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Pakistan (+11.8%), while the prices for the other major suppliers experienced more modest paces of growth.
ExportsUnited Kingdom’s Exports of Ethyl Alcohol
In 2024, shipments abroad of ethyl alcohol increased by 105% to 336M litres, rising for the second year in a row after two years of decline. Over the period under review, exports continue to indicate strong growth. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2023 when exports increased by 817%. The exports peaked at 591M litres in 2017; however, from 2018 to 2024, the exports remained at a lower figure.
In value terms, ethanol exports amounted to $248M in 2024. In general, exports showed prominent growth. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2014 when exports increased by 141% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the exports hit record highs at $398M in 2017; however, from 2018 to 2024, the exports failed to regain momentum.
Exports By Country
The Netherlands (56M litres), Belgium (44M litres) and France (25M litres) were the main destinations of ethanol exports from the UK, together comprising 76% of total exports.
From 2013 to 2023, the most notable rate of growth in terms of shipments, amongst the main countries of destination, was attained by France (with a CAGR of +33.0%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.
In value terms, Belgium ($76M), the Netherlands ($72M) and France ($33M) constituted the largest markets for ethanol exported from the UK worldwide, with a combined 75% share of total exports.
France, with a CAGR of +29.3%, recorded the highest rates of growth with regard to the value of exports, in terms of the main countries of destination over the period under review, while shipments for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.
Exports By Type
Undenatured ethyl alcohol of alcoholic strength by volume over 80% (334M litres) was the largest type of ethyl alcohol exported from the UK, with a 99% share of total exports. It was followed by denatured ethyl alcohol and other denatured spirits (2.2M litres), with a 0.7% share of total exports.
From 2013 to 2024, the average annual growth rate of the volume of undenatured ethyl alcohol of alcoholic strength by volume over 80% exports amounted to +9.9%.
In value terms, undenatured ethyl alcohol of alcoholic strength by volume over 80% ($242M) remains the largest type of ethyl alcohol exported from the UK, comprising 98% of total exports. The second position in the ranking was held by denatured ethyl alcohol and other denatured spirits ($5.7M), with a 2.3% share of total exports.
From 2013 to 2024, the average annual rate of growth in terms of the value of undenatured ethyl alcohol of alcoholic strength by volume over 80% exports stood at +7.4%.
Export Prices By Type
In 2024, the average ethanol export price amounted to $738 per thousand litres, waning by -50.1% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the export price showed a noticeable descent. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2022 an increase of 549% against the previous year. As a result, the export price attained the peak level of $11 per litre. From 2023 to 2024, the average export prices remained at a somewhat lower figure.
Prices varied noticeably by the product type; the product with the highest price was denatured ethyl alcohol and other denatured spirits ($2.6 per litre), while the average price for exports of undenatured ethyl alcohol of alcoholic strength by volume over 80% stood at $726 per thousand litres.
From 2013 to 2024, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was recorded for the following types: denatured ethyl alcohol (-1.9%).
Export Prices By Country
The average ethanol export price stood at $1.5 per litre in 2023, with a decrease of -86.8% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the export price, however, continues to indicate temperate growth. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2022 an increase of 549%. As a result, the export price reached the peak level of $11 per litre, and then fell markedly in the following year.
Prices varied noticeably by country of destination: amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was Finland ($6.8 per litre), while the average price for exports to Germany ($875 per thousand litres) was amongst the lowest.
From 2013 to 2023, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was recorded for supplies to Finland (+22.1%), while the prices for the other major destinations experienced more modest paces of growth.
Source: IndexBox Market Intelligence Platform