May 11, 2025
IndexBox has just published a new report: World – O-Xylene – Market Analysis, Forecast, Size, Trends And Insights.
Driven by global demand, the o-xylene market is predicted to see a steady increase in consumption over the next decade. By 2035, the market volume is expected to reach 2.6M tons, with a value of $4.3B in nominal prices, showcasing sustained growth in the industry.
Market Forecast
Driven by increasing demand for o-xylene worldwide, the market is expected to continue an upward consumption trend over the next decade. Market performance is forecast to decelerate, expanding with an anticipated CAGR of +0.5% for the period from 2024 to 2035, which is projected to bring the market volume to 2.6M tons by the end of 2035.
In value terms, the market is forecast to increase with an anticipated CAGR of +3.2% for the period from 2024 to 2035, which is projected to bring the market value to $4.3B (in nominal wholesale prices) by the end of 2035.
Consumption
World’s Consumption of O-Xylene
In 2024, global consumption of o-xylene stood at 2.5M tons, surging by 4.8% compared with the year before. The total consumption volume increased at an average annual rate of +1.4% over the period from 2013 to 2024; the trend pattern remained relatively stable, with somewhat noticeable fluctuations throughout the analyzed period. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2019 with an increase of 8.6% against the previous year. Over the period under review, global consumption attained the peak volume in 2024 and is likely to see gradual growth in years to come.
The global o-xylene market size reached $3B in 2024, picking up by 13% against the previous year. This figure reflects the total revenues of producers and importers (excluding logistics costs, retail marketing costs, and retailers’ margins, which will be included in the final consumer price). Overall, consumption showed modest growth. Global consumption peaked in 2024 and is likely to see gradual growth in the immediate term.
Consumption By Country
The countries with the highest volumes of consumption in 2024 were India (693K tons), Taiwan (Chinese) (362K tons) and the UK (209K tons), together accounting for 50% of global consumption. Singapore, the United States, Germany, Russia, Belgium, Iran and Japan lagged somewhat behind, together comprising a further 28%.
From 2013 to 2024, the most notable rate of growth in terms of consumption, amongst the main consuming countries, was attained by the United States (with a CAGR of +35.4%), while consumption for the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.
In value terms, the largest o-xylene markets worldwide were India ($793M), Taiwan (Chinese) ($423M) and the UK ($228M), together accounting for 48% of the global market. Germany, Singapore, Belgium, Russia, the United States, Japan and Iran lagged somewhat behind, together accounting for a further 24%.
Among the main consuming countries, the United States, with a CAGR of +26.7%, saw the highest rates of growth with regard to market size over the period under review, while market for the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.
The countries with the highest levels of o-xylene per capita consumption in 2024 were Singapore (25 kg per person), Taiwan (Chinese) (15 kg per person) and Belgium (8 kg per person).
From 2013 to 2024, the most notable rate of growth in terms of consumption, amongst the leading consuming countries, was attained by the United States (with a CAGR of +34.4%), while consumption for the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.
Production
World’s Production of O-Xylene
For the eighth consecutive year, the global market recorded growth in production of o-xylene, which increased by 2.9% to 2.4M tons in 2024. Overall, production saw a relatively flat trend pattern. As a result, production attained the peak volume and is likely to continue growth in the immediate term.
In value terms, o-xylene production reached $2.7B in 2024 estimated in export price. Over the period under review, production, however, saw a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2022 when the production volume increased by 26% against the previous year. Over the period under review, global production attained the peak level at $2.7B in 2013; afterwards, it flattened through to 2024.
Production By Country
The countries with the highest volumes of production in 2024 were India (591K tons), Taiwan (Chinese) (318K tons) and Singapore (248K tons), with a combined 49% share of global production. The UK, South Korea, Russia, the United States, France, China and the Netherlands lagged somewhat behind, together comprising a further 34%.
From 2013 to 2024, the most notable rate of growth in terms of production, amongst the main producing countries, was attained by China (with a CAGR of +9,496.6%), while production for the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.
Imports
World’s Imports of O-Xylene
Global o-xylene imports shrank to 805K tons in 2024, with a decrease of -10.3% against 2023 figures. Over the period under review, imports saw a pronounced slump. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2023 when imports increased by 9.9% against the previous year. Over the period under review, global imports attained the peak figure at 1.1M tons in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2024, imports remained at a lower figure.
In value terms, o-xylene imports expanded markedly to $1.2B in 2024. Overall, imports continue to indicate a noticeable descent. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2021 when imports increased by 35% against the previous year. Over the period under review, global imports hit record highs at $1.6B in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2024, imports remained at a lower figure.
Imports By Country
The purchases of the three major importers of o-xylene, namely India, Germany and Belgium, represented more than half of total import. The United States (69K tons) held the next position in the ranking, followed by Taiwan (Chinese) (68K tons), Italy (54K tons) and the Netherlands (49K tons). All these countries together held approx. 30% share of total imports.
From 2013 to 2024, the most notable rate of growth in terms of purchases, amongst the key importing countries, was attained by Taiwan (Chinese) (with a CAGR of +37.3%), while imports for the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.
In value terms, the largest o-xylene importing markets worldwide were India ($204M), Germany ($171M) and Belgium ($157M), together accounting for 44% of global imports. The Netherlands, Taiwan (Chinese), Italy and the United States lagged somewhat behind, together accounting for a further 20%.
In terms of the main importing countries, Taiwan (Chinese), with a CAGR of +33.9%, saw the highest growth rate of the value of imports, over the period under review, while purchases for the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.
Import Prices By Country
The average o-xylene import price stood at $1,489 per ton in 2024, surging by 24% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the import price showed a relatively flat trend pattern. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2022 an increase of 40% against the previous year. Global import price peaked in 2024 and is likely to see steady growth in years to come.
There were significant differences in the average prices amongst the major importing countries. In 2024, amid the top importers, the country with the highest price was the Netherlands ($1,497 per ton), while the United States ($423 per ton) was amongst the lowest.
From 2013 to 2024, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by the Netherlands (+0.7%), while the other global leaders experienced a decline in the import price figures.
Exports
World’s Exports of O-Xylene
In 2024, shipments abroad of o-xylene decreased by -17.7% to 657K tons, falling for the third year in a row after two years of growth. In general, exports saw a deep reduction. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2018 when exports increased by 12%. The global exports peaked at 1.2M tons in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2024, the exports stood at a somewhat lower figure.
In value terms, o-xylene exports shrank notably to $764M in 2024. Overall, exports saw a deep contraction. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2021 when exports increased by 34%. The global exports peaked at $1.6B in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2024, the exports stood at a somewhat lower figure.
Exports By Country
Singapore (102K tons), China (92K tons), the Netherlands (73K tons), South Korea (61K tons), India (55K tons), France (43K tons), the United States (42K tons), Belgium (31K tons) and Taiwan (Chinese) (24K tons) represented roughly 80% of total exports in 2024. Spain (20K tons) held a relatively small share of total exports.
From 2013 to 2024, the biggest increases were recorded for China (with a CAGR of +131.8%), while shipments for the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.
In value terms, Singapore ($99M), the Netherlands ($93M) and China ($92M) were the countries with the highest levels of exports in 2024, together comprising 37% of global exports.
In terms of the main exporting countries, China, with a CAGR of +119.5%, saw the highest growth rate of the value of exports, over the period under review, while shipments for the other global leaders experienced mixed trends in the exports figures.
Export Prices By Country
In 2024, the average o-xylene export price amounted to $1,163 per ton, dropping by -3.1% against the previous year. In general, the export price continues to indicate a slight reduction. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2022 an increase of 43%. The global export price peaked at $1,335 per ton in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2024, the export prices stood at a somewhat lower figure.
There were significant differences in the average prices amongst the major exporting countries. In 2024, amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was Taiwan (Chinese) ($1,322 per ton), while Spain ($12 per ton) was amongst the lowest.
From 2013 to 2024, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by France (+11.0%), while the other global leaders experienced mixed trends in the export price figures.
