Lecithins trade by country: top importers, exporters and prices
World trade in lecithins was worth $1.26 billion in 2024, about 711.4 thousand tonnes. That is an increase of 38% since 2017, and down 25% 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 | $1.26B | 711.4K t |
| 2023 | $1.69B | 578.6K t |
| 2022 | $1.56B | 682.1K t |
| 2021 | $1.10B | 673.4K t |
| 2020 | $891.3M | 647.1K t |
| 2019 | $900.1M | 617.5K t |
| 2018 | $935.0M | 582.7K t |
| 2017 | $916.5M | 572.0K t |
Top lecithins exporting countries
Exports are led by Germany (17%), the Netherlands (15%) and the United States (14%). 107 countries reported exports, and the top three account for 46%.
| Exporter | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Germany | $210.3M | 17% |
| Netherlands | $189.6M | 15% |
| United States | $178.2M | 14% |
| India | $127.9M | 10% |
| Argentina | $109.8M | 8.7% |
| China | $95.9M | 7.6% |
| Brazil | $66.1M | 5.2% |
| Spain | $31.5M | 2.5% |
| Sweden | $28.2M | 2.2% |
| Japan | $21.7M | 1.7% |
| Belgium | $21.1M | 1.7% |
| Italy | $18.2M | 1.4% |
Top importing countries and buyer markets
The largest importers are the Netherlands (10%), the United States (8%) and Germany (6%). 177 countries imported it, and the top three take 24% of the value.
| Importer | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Netherlands | $123.7M | 9.8% |
| United States | $101.2M | 8% |
| Germany | $72.2M | 5.7% |
| France | $68.8M | 5.4% |
| China | $68.4M | 5.4% |
| United Kingdom | $51.8M | 4.1% |
| Italy | $50.3M | 4% |
| Indonesia | $41.8M | 3.3% |
| Vietnam | $41.3M | 3.3% |
| Belgium | $39.4M | 3.1% |
| Denmark | $39.4M | 3.1% |
| South Korea | $38.2M | 3% |
Average price per kg
The world average declared value was about $1.78 per kg in 2024. Among the main exporters, Germany averaged $4.08 per kg and Argentina $0.62 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.
Related product types
Who is behind these numbers in this market?
The shipment records behind Lecithins (HS 2923.20) importers and exporters, worldwide: companies, dates, quantities and declared values.
Shipment records are in the platform
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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 2923.20: Lecithins and other phosphoaminolipids, whether or not chemically defined. HS 2923 codes.
Common questions
Which countries export the most lecithins?
Germany exported $210.3 million in 2024, 17% of the world total, followed by the Netherlands (15%) and the United States (14%). In all, 107 countries reported exports of this product. The full ranking and map are on this page.
Which countries import the most lecithins?
The Netherlands imported $123.7 million in 2024, 10% of world imports, ahead of the United States (8%) and Germany (6%). The top three importers together take 24%. Each country with its own page is linked from the table.
How big is the world trade in lecithins?
It was worth $1.26 billion in 2024, about 711.4 thousand tonnes. That is an increase of 38% since 2017. The peak year was 2023 at $1.69 billion. 107 countries reported exports and 177 reported imports.
What is the average price of lecithins per kg?
The world average declared value was about $1.78 per kg in 2024. Among the main exporters, Germany averaged $4.08 per kg and Argentina $0.62 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 lecithins?
The HS code for lecithins is subheading 2923.20, 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 2923 page.
How can I find lecithins buyers and suppliers?
The rankings here stop at countries; EximDataX goes down to the companies trading lecithins, from direct customs feeds and mirror data. Tell us your markets to see them live.
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