Methanol exports from Saudi Arabia: data, top buyers and prices
Exports of methanol by Saudi Arabia reached $1.49 billion in 2024 (5.20 million tonnes). That makes it the 3rd largest exporter of this product worldwide, out of 98 countries. That is 3% less than in 2023. Across 2017-2024 the long-run trend was broadly stable. The peak in this period was 2021, at $1.88 billion.
Public statistics, latest complete year (2024). Values in US dollars. Page updated .
Exports by year, 2017-2024
Hover or tap a year for detail.
Year by year
| Year | Value | Quantity |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $1.49B | 5.20M t |
| 2023 | $1.54B | 7.11M t |
| 2022 | $1.79B | 5.11M t |
| 2021 | $1.88B | 5.03M t |
| 2020 | $1.12B | 4.73M t |
| 2019 | $1.36B | 4.53M t |
| 2018 | $1.69B | 5.26M t |
| 2017 | $1.30B | 5.28M t |
Where Saudi Arabia exports methanol to
The largest buyer markets were China (26%), Japan (14%), India (14%). Among the main buyer markets, Taiwan grew fastest (+102% on the year before).
| Destination | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| China | $392.7M | 26% |
| Japan | $211.8M | 14% |
| India | $201.2M | 14% |
| Taiwan | $162.7M | 11% |
| South Korea | $106.3M | 7.1% |
| Thailand | $67.6M | 4.5% |
| United Arab Emirates | $67.1M | 4.5% |
| Singapore | $60.1M | 4% |
| Pakistan | $53.3M | 3.6% |
| Indonesia | $35.5M | 2.4% |
Average export price per kg
The average declared value was about $0.29 per kg, close to the world average of $0.32.
Declared value divided by weight, all 2024 shipments. Prices per shipment and per company are in EximDataX.
Methanol imports to Saudi Arabia
Saudi Arabia imported $3.6 million of methanol in 2024 (1.3 thousand tonnes). Most of the value came from Bahrain (34%), Germany (19%), United States (17%). Among the main suppliers, Singapore grew fastest (+661% on the year before).
| Supplier country | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Bahrain | $1.2M | 35% |
| Germany | $692K | 19% |
| United States | $607K | 17% |
| Singapore | $477K | 13% |
| Poland | $251K | 7% |
| Japan | $135K | 3.8% |
| Netherlands | $80K | 2.2% |
| United Kingdom | $29K | 0.8% |
| Trinidad and Tobago | $27K | 0.8% |
| Belgium | $17K | 0.5% |
Who is behind these numbers in Saudi Arabia?
The shipment records behind Saudi Arabia methanol exports (HS 2905.11): companies, dates, quantities and declared values.
Shipment records are in the platform
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Mirror data: built from the shipment records of the countries that trade with it.
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 2905.11: Alcohols: saturated monohydric, methanol (methyl alcohol).
Common questions
What is the value of methanol exported by Saudi Arabia?
Saudi Arabia exported methanol worth $1.49 billion in 2024, the latest year with complete public data, about 5.20 million tonnes. That ranks it 3rd of 98 countries worldwide, with 12% of world exports. The value was down 3% on 2023.
Which countries buy methanol from Saudi Arabia?
China was the largest buyer with 26% of the value ($392.7 million), followed by Japan (14%) and India (14%). The top three together account for 54%, out of 48 buyer countries in total. Taiwan grew fastest among the top ten, up 102% on the year.
What is the average export price of methanol per kg?
The average declared export value was about $0.29 per kg in 2024, 9% below the world average of $0.32 per kg. The figure blends every grade shipped, so it works as a reference point rather than a quote.
How have exports of methanol from Saudi Arabia changed since 2017?
Exports went from $1.30 billion in 2017 to $1.49 billion in 2024, an increase of 14%. The peak was 2021 at $1.88 billion. Over 8 years the average was $1.52 billion a year.
Does Saudi Arabia also import methanol?
Yes. Saudi Arabia imported $3.6 million worth of this product in 2024, mainly from Bahrain, Germany and the United States. On balance Saudi Arabia is a net exporter of this product, by about $1.49 billion a year.
What is the HS code for methanol?
The HS code for methanol is subheading 2905.11. It sits in HS chapter 29 (organic chemicals). The full list of codes and descriptions is on the HS 2905 page.
How can I find the companies behind this trade?
For Saudi Arabia, EximDataX reads the shipment records of the countries that trade with it and shows the companies on both sides. We can walk you through your product on a short call.
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