The volume of methanol traded globally in 2015 was unchanged from 2014, indicating no increase in global demand. Much higher exports from the Middle East to Asia-Pacific, Europe and North America were prominent trends during the year.

Based on earliest available data, which is approximately 90% complete, global trade volume in 2015 was 30 million tons, unchanged from the prior year.

Exports from the Middle East rose by 21%, to over 12 million tons,  Asia-Pacific was the destination for more than 10 million tons of the total, up 17%, Western Europe for well over 1 million tons, up 34%, Eastern Europe for more than 0.4 million tons, up more than double. Middle East shipments to North America jumped by 66%, to over 200,000 tons.

Imports into North America from Latin America, however, were down by 26%, to 3.2 million tons.

From International Trader Publications’ World Trade Review of 2015 for methanol.