The volume of global trade in acrylic acid fell substantially over 2021 to 2025 and is projected down slightly September 2026 YTD. Profound shifts were evident in key regional trends.

Acrylic acid is used to synthesize acrylates and polymers, found in a wide variety of industrial applications. (DW Chemical).

Following the Covid epidemic, global trade in 2021 jumped to 719,000 tons, up 14% from 2020. Volume subsequently declined, picking up in 2025.

Western Europe and Asia-Pacific intra-regional trade accounts for over 70% of global trade volume. Both fell over the 2021-2025 period. Middle East intra-regional trade expanded.

Key regional import trends over the period included lower imports into Western Europe, North America and Latin America; gains in Africa and Middle East. Key export trends included lower shipments from Western Europe and, especially, North America; higher shipments from Asia-Pacific and Middle East.

ITP projects acrylic acid global trade volume of 453,000 tons through September 2026, down 1%. Key trends: depressed Middle East trade (noting Saudi Arabia to UAE); higher Asia-Pacific exports to Western and Eastern Europe but declines to other regions; increased trade within Western Europe.

From International Trader Publications’ Acrylic Acid World Trade Analysis, a continuously updated analysis of trade based on the latest statistics from all publishing countries.