Latest import/export statistics from all available countries indicate slower growth in global trade volume in 2019 for LNG, liquefied propane gas and liquefied butane gas versus 2018. Because global trade is driven by global demand, the trend in world trade volume generally indicates the trend in world demand.

LNG global trade is projected up 2% in 2019, to 331 million tons. This compares with a 17% spurt in growth in 2018 versus 2017. On the export side, the drop in 2019 reflected much higher exports from North America and Eastern Europe but reduced shipments from the Middle East.

Trade in liquefied propane gas is projected up 3% for 2019, to 80 million tons; trade in liquefied butane gas is projected up 2%, to 40 million tons. In 2018, volume versus the prior year was up 12% and 14%, respectively.

Trade in 2019 in both liquefied propane and butane gas also was impacted by higher shipments from North America and lower volumes out of the Middle East.

From International Trader Publications’ LNG World Trade Report, Liquefied Propane Gas World Trade Report and Liquefied Butane Gas World Trade Report, continuously updated analyses of global trade based on latest trade statistics.