Acetic acid trade by country: top importers, exporters and prices
World trade in acetic acid was worth $2.01 billion in 2024, about 3.89 million tonnes. That is an increase of 17% since 2017, and down 2% on 2023.
Public statistics, latest complete year (2024). Values in US dollars. Page updated .
World trade by year, 2017-2024
Hover or tap a year for detail.
Year by year
| Year | Value | Quantity |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $2.01B | 3.89M t |
| 2023 | $2.06B | 3.52M t |
| 2022 | $3.17B | 3.89M t |
| 2021 | $3.41B | 3.88M t |
| 2020 | $1.56B | 3.66M t |
| 2019 | $1.80B | 3.59M t |
| 2018 | $2.53B | 3.88M t |
| 2017 | $1.72B | 3.59M t |
Top acetic acid exporting countries
Exports are led by China (26%), the United States (24%) and Malaysia (9%). 99 countries reported exports, and the top three account for 59%.
| Exporter | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| China | $521.1M | 26% |
| United States | $480.5M | 24% |
| Malaysia | $186.3M | 9.3% |
| Belgium | $137.6M | 6.8% |
| Singapore | $130.0M | 6.5% |
| Taiwan | $125.1M | 6.2% |
| United Kingdom | $88.0M | 4.4% |
| South Korea | $87.3M | 4.3% |
| Germany | $44.1M | 2.2% |
| Saudi Arabia | $38.9M | 1.9% |
| Netherlands | $36.5M | 1.8% |
| Austria | $21.7M | 1.1% |
Top importing countries and buyer markets
The largest importers are India (25%), Germany (11%) and Belgium (10%). 186 countries imported it, and the top three take 46% of the value.
| Importer | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| India | $507.1M | 25% |
| Germany | $217.6M | 11% |
| Belgium | $194.6M | 9.7% |
| Mexico | $127.8M | 6.4% |
| Japan | $97.0M | 4.8% |
| Brazil | $85.1M | 4.2% |
| Singapore | $81.0M | 4% |
| Turkey | $61.9M | 3.1% |
| Thailand | $60.4M | 3% |
| Netherlands | $46.5M | 2.3% |
| South Korea | $42.2M | 2.1% |
| Indonesia | $31.1M | 1.6% |
Average price per kg
The world average declared value was about $0.52 per kg in 2024. Among the main exporters, the United Kingdom averaged $0.79 per kg and Malaysia $0.43 per kg, so grade and origin matter.
Declared value divided by weight, all 2024 shipments worldwide. Prices per shipment and per company are in EximDataX.
Who is behind these numbers in this market?
The shipment records behind Acetic acid (HS 2915.21) importers and exporters, worldwide: companies, dates, quantities and declared values.
Shipment records are in the platform
Tell us what you trade and we will show you the latest records on a live call.
Source: CEPII BACI (reconciled UN Comtrade data), HS 2017 edition, release 202601, Etalab Open Licence 2.0. Annual values in US dollars at the customs border; quantities in tonnes where reported. HS 2915.21: Acids: saturated acyclic monocarboxylic acids: acetic acid. HS 2915 codes.
Common questions
Which countries export the most acetic acid?
China exported $521.1 million in 2024, 26% of the world total, followed by the United States (24%) and Malaysia (9%). In all, 99 countries reported exports of this product. The full ranking and map are on this page.
Which countries import the most acetic acid?
India imported $507.1 million in 2024, 25% of world imports, ahead of Germany (11%) and Belgium (10%). The top three importers together take 46%. Each country with its own page is linked from the table.
How big is the world trade in acetic acid?
It was worth $2.01 billion in 2024, about 3.89 million tonnes. That is an increase of 17% since 2017. The peak year was 2021 at $3.41 billion. 99 countries reported exports and 186 reported imports.
What is the average price of acetic acid per kg?
The world average declared value was about $0.52 per kg in 2024. Among the main exporters, the United Kingdom averaged $0.79 per kg and Malaysia $0.43 per kg, so grade and origin matter. Read it as a benchmark: it blends all grades, origins and contract terms.
What is the HS code for acetic acid?
The HS code for acetic acid is subheading 2915.21, in chapter 29 (organic chemicals). The first six digits are the same in every country; national tariffs add more. The full list of codes is on the HS 2915 page.
How can I find acetic acid buyers and suppliers?
Company names sit below these country totals: EximDataX reads the customs records shipment by shipment, with dates and values. We can show acetic acid buyers and suppliers on a short call.
See what your buyers are buying.Then decide.
Everything we show you comes from official customs filings — records, not claims. 30 minutes. Your shipment. Your HS code. Real platform. If you don’t see something new about your market by the end of the call, we walk away. No follow-ups.