Nucleic Acid Market

The global market for nucleic acids and their salts is projected to grow in both volume and value terms, with a forecasted CAGR of +3.6% and +5.2% respectively from 2022 to 2030. Key countries leading in consumption, production, and exports include China, the United States, and India. Trends show fluctuations in consumption patterns, with notable growth rates in certain countries such as Canada. Product types vary in terms of import and export volumes, with nucleic acids and their salts representing the largest share. Prices also show fluctuations, with the highest price observed for other heterocyclic compounds. Overall, the market is expected to see continued growth in the near future.

Market Forecast

Driven by increasing demand for nucleic acids and their salts worldwide, the market is expected to continue an upward consumption trend over the next eight years. Market performance is forecast to decelerate, expanding with an anticipated CAGR of +3.6% for the period from 2022 to 2030, which is projected to bring the market volume to 1.3M tons by the end of 2030.

In value terms, the market is forecast to increase with an anticipated CAGR of +5.2% for the period from 2022 to 2030, which is projected to bring the market value to $86.5B (in nominal prices) by the end of 2030.

Consumption

World Consumption of Nucleic Acids and Their Salts

After two years of growth, consumption of nucleic acids and their salts decreased by -6.6% to 954K tons in 2022. In general, the total consumption indicated a strong expansion from 2012 to 2022: its volume increased at an average annual rate of +6.3% over the last decade. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2022 figures, consumption increased by +19.7% against 2019 indices. Global consumption peaked at 1M tons in 2021, and then shrank in the following year.

The global nucleic acid market value shrank to $57.7B in 2022, approximately equating 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, however, enjoyed a remarkable increase. Over the period under review, the global market hit record highs at $58.1B in 2021, and then fell modestly in the following year.

Consumption By Country

The countries with the highest volumes of consumption in 2022 were China (183K tons), the United States (117K tons) and India (84K tons), with a combined 40% share of global consumption. Brazil, Japan, Italy, Indonesia, the UK, Mexico, France, South Korea and Canada lagged somewhat behind, together accounting for a further 35%.

From 2012 to 2022, the biggest increases were recorded for Canada (with a CAGR of +13.7%), while consumption for the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, the United States ($15.5B) led the market, alone. The second position in the ranking was held by India ($5.7B). It was followed by Indonesia.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual growth rate of value in the United States stood at +10.9%. In the other countries, the average annual rates were as follows: India (+7.7% per year) and Indonesia (+7.1% per year).

The countries with the highest levels of nucleic acid per capita consumption in 2022 were Italy (707 kg per 1000 persons), the UK (529 kg per 1000 persons) and Canada (467 kg per 1000 persons).

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of consumption, amongst the leading consuming countries, was attained by Canada (with a CAGR of +12.4%), while consumption for the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Production

World Production of Nucleic Acids and Their Salts

In 2022, production of nucleic acids and their salts decreased by -9.6% to 902K tons for the first time since 2019, thus ending a two-year rising trend. Overall, the total production indicated a buoyant increase from 2012 to 2022: its volume increased at an average annual rate of +5.1% over the last decade. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2016 with an increase of 20% against the previous year. Global production peaked at 999K tons in 2021, and then dropped in the following year.

In value terms, nucleic acid production reduced to $45.4B in 2022 estimated in export price. In general, production, however, showed prominent growth. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2020 when the production volume increased by 28%. Global production peaked at $47.6B in 2021, and then shrank in the following year.

Production By Country

The country with the largest volume of nucleic acid production was China (378K tons), accounting for 42% of total volume. Moreover, nucleic acid production in China exceeded the figures recorded by the second-largest producer, India (61K tons), sixfold. Japan (53K tons) ranked third in terms of total production with a 5.8% share.

In China, nucleic acid production expanded at an average annual rate of +3.7% over the period from 2012-2022. The remaining producing countries recorded the following average annual rates of production growth: India (+2.7% per year) and Japan (+12.3% per year).

Imports

World Imports of Nucleic Acids and Their Salts

For the fourth year in a row, the global market recorded growth in purchases abroad of nucleic acids and their salts, which increased by 0.6% to 485K tons in 2022. The total import volume increased at an average annual rate of +4.6% over the period from 2012 to 2022; however, the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded in certain years. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2017 when imports increased by 15%. Over the period under review, global imports reached the peak figure in 2022 and are likely to continue growth in the near future.

In value terms, nucleic acid imports shrank to $33.8B in 2022. Overall, imports saw perceptible growth. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2021 when imports increased by 41%. As a result, imports attained the peak of $38.4B, and then dropped in the following year.

Imports By Country

In 2022, the United States (87K tons), distantly followed by Brazil (38K tons), India (31K tons) and Spain (24K tons) were the largest importers of nucleic acids and their salts, together committing 37% of total imports. Germany (20K tons), Japan (20K tons), China (17K tons), France (16K tons), South Korea (16K tons), the Netherlands (16K tons), Italy (15K tons), Russia (13K tons) and Belgium (13K tons) followed a long way behind the leaders.

From 2012 to 2022, average annual rates of growth with regard to nucleic acid imports into the United States stood at +4.3%. At the same time, India (+13.8%), the Netherlands (+11.5%), China (+8.5%), Russia (+7.3%), Brazil (+6.3%), Spain (+5.0%), Belgium (+4.4%), France (+2.8%), South Korea (+2.6%), Germany (+1.8%) and Italy (+1.3%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, India emerged as the fastest-growing importer imported in the world, with a CAGR of +13.8% from 2012-2022. Japan experienced a relatively flat trend pattern. India (+3.6 p.p.) and the Netherlands (+1.5 p.p.) significantly strengthened its position in terms of the global imports, while Japan saw its share reduced by -2.5% from 2012 to 2022, respectively. The shares of the other countries remained relatively stable throughout the analyzed period.

In value terms, the United States ($11.3B) constitutes the largest market for imported nucleic acids and their salts worldwide, comprising 34% of global imports. The second position in the ranking was taken by Germany ($2.9B), with an 8.7% share of global imports. It was followed by Belgium, with a 6.8% share.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual rate of growth in terms of value in the United States stood at +4.6%. In the other countries, the average annual rates were as follows: Germany (+7.4% per year) and Belgium (+10.4% per year).

Imports By Type

Nucleic acids and their salts, other heterocyclic compounds, n.e.c. in heading number 2934 represented the main imported product with an import of around 531K tons, which recorded 74% of total imports. Heterocyclic compounds; containing a benzothiazole ring-system (whether or not hydrogenated), not further fused (145K tons) ranks second in terms of the total imports with a 20% share, followed by heterocyclic compounds; containing an unfused thiazole ring (whether or not hydrogenated) in the structure (5.8%).

Nucleic acids and their salts, other heterocyclic compounds, n.e.c. in heading number 2934 was also the fastest-growing in terms of imports, with a CAGR of +11.8% from 2012 to 2022. At the same time, heterocyclic compounds; containing an unfused thiazole ring (whether or not hydrogenated) in the structure (+6.8%) and heterocyclic compounds; containing a benzothiazole ring-system (whether or not hydrogenated), not further fused (+1.4%) displayed positive paces of growth. While the share of nucleic acids and their salts, other heterocyclic compounds, n.e.c. in heading number 2934 (+20 p.p.) increased significantly in terms of the global imports from 2012-2022, the share of heterocyclic compounds; containing a benzothiazole ring-system (whether or not hydrogenated), not further fused (-18.9 p.p.) displayed negative dynamics. The shares of the other products remained relatively stable throughout the analyzed period.

In value terms, nucleic acids and their salts, other heterocyclic compounds, n.e.c. in heading number 2934 ($28.4B) constitutes the largest type of nucleic acids and their salts imported worldwide, comprising 84% of global imports. The second position in the ranking was held by heterocyclic compounds; containing an unfused thiazole ring (whether or not hydrogenated) in the structure ($4.6B), with a 14% share of global imports. It was followed by heterocyclic compounds; containing a benzothiazole ring-system (whether or not hydrogenated), not further fused, with a 2.4% share.

For nucleic acids and their salts, other heterocyclic compounds, n.e.c. in heading number 2934, imports increased at an average annual rate of +4.8% over the period from 2012-2022. With regard to the other imported products, the following average annual rates of growth were recorded: heterocyclic compounds; containing an unfused thiazole ring (whether or not hydrogenated) in the structure (+7.3% per year) and heterocyclic compounds; containing a benzothiazole ring-system (whether or not hydrogenated), not further fused (-2.0% per year).

Import Prices By Type

In 2022, the average nucleic acid import price amounted to $69,700 per ton, declining by -12.6% against the previous year. Overall, the import price, however, saw a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2020 when the average import price increased by 33% against the previous year. Over the period under review, average import prices hit record highs at $79,714 per ton in 2021, and then contracted in the following year.

Prices varied noticeably by the product type; the product with the highest price was other heterocyclic compounds, n.e.s. in 2934.1, 2934.2 and 2934.3 ($135,096 per ton), while the price for heterocyclic compounds; containing a benzothiazole ring-system (whether or not hydrogenated), not further fused ($5,470 per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by heterocyclic compounds; containing an unfused thiazole ring (whether or not hydrogenated) in the structure (+0.5%), while the other products experienced a decline in the import price figures.

Import Prices By Country

In 2022, the average nucleic acid import price amounted to $69,700 per ton, falling by -12.6% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the import price, however, showed a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2020 an increase of 33% against the previous year. Over the period under review, average import prices hit record highs at $79,714 per ton in 2021, and then fell in the following year.

There were significant differences in the average prices amongst the major importing countries. In 2022, amid the top importers, the country with the highest price was Belgium ($176,710 per ton), while Spain ($20,457 per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Italy (+6.5%), while the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Exports

World Exports of Nucleic Acids and Their Salts

After three years of growth, shipments abroad of nucleic acids and their salts decreased by -5.6% to 433K tons in 2022. The total export volume increased at an average annual rate of +2.4% from 2012 to 2022; however, the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2017 with an increase of 19%. Over the period under review, the global exports reached the peak figure at 459K tons in 2021, and then fell in the following year.

In value terms, nucleic acid exports surged to $29.9B in 2022. Overall, total exports indicated pronounced growth from 2012 to 2022: its value increased at an average annual rate of +4.6% over the last decade. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2022 figures, exports increased by +91.9% against 2017 indices. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2020 with an increase of 41% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the global exports reached the peak figure in 2022 and are expected to retain growth in the immediate term.

Exports By Country

In 2022, China (212K tons) was the major exporter of nucleic acids and their salts, constituting 49% of total exports. Belgium (49K tons) held the second position in the ranking, followed by Germany (38K tons) and the United States (22K tons). All these countries together took near 25% share of total exports. The following exporters - Japan (19K tons), the Netherlands (15K tons), Switzerland (13K tons), Spain (12K tons), Slovakia (7.7K tons), India (7.5K tons) and the UK (6.9K tons) - together made up 19% of total exports.

From 2012 to 2022, average annual rates of growth with regard to nucleic acid exports from China stood at +3.7%. At the same time, the Netherlands (+11.7%), Belgium (+8.6%), Japan (+7.1%), India (+5.8%), the United States (+3.9%), Switzerland (+3.1%) and Spain (+1.2%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, the Netherlands emerged as the fastest-growing exporter exported in the world, with a CAGR of +11.7% from 2012-2022. Germany experienced a relatively flat trend pattern. By contrast, Slovakia (-1.1%) and the UK (-1.6%) illustrated a downward trend over the same period. While the share of China (+6 p.p.), Belgium (+5.1 p.p.), the Netherlands (+1.9 p.p.) and Japan (+1.6 p.p.) increased significantly in terms of the global exports from 2012-2022, the share of Germany (-3.5 p.p.) displayed negative dynamics. The shares of the other countries remained relatively stable throughout the analyzed period.

In value terms, China ($4.9B) remains the largest nucleic acid supplier worldwide, comprising 16% of global exports. The second position in the ranking was held by the United States ($2.2B), with a 7.2% share of global exports. It was followed by Switzerland, with a 6.9% share.

In China, nucleic acid exports increased at an average annual rate of +11.1% over the period from 2012-2022. The remaining exporting countries recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: the United States (-0.8% per year) and Switzerland (+4.5% per year).

Exports By Type

In 2022, nucleic acids and their salts, other heterocyclic compounds, n.e.c. in heading number 2934 (254K tons) represented the largest type of nucleic acids and their salts, making up 57% of total exports. Heterocyclic compounds; containing a benzothiazole ring-system (whether or not hydrogenated), not further fused (162K tons) ranks second in terms of the total exports with a 36% share, followed by heterocyclic compounds; containing an unfused thiazole ring (whether or not hydrogenated) in the structure (7.2%).

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of shipments, amongst the main exported products, was attained by nucleic acids and their salts, other heterocyclic compounds, n.e.c. in heading number 2934 (with a CAGR of +4.7%), while the other products experienced mixed trends in the exports figures.

In value terms, nucleic acids and their salts, other heterocyclic compounds, n.e.c. in heading number 2934 ($25.4B) remains the largest type of nucleic acids and their salts supplied worldwide, comprising 85% of global exports. The second position in the ranking was held by heterocyclic compounds; containing an unfused thiazole ring (whether or not hydrogenated) in the structure ($3.6B), with a 12% share of global exports. It was followed by heterocyclic compounds; containing a benzothiazole ring-system (whether or not hydrogenated), not further fused, with a 2.9% share.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual growth rate of the value of nucleic acids and their salts, other heterocyclic compounds, n.e.c. in heading number 2934 exports amounted to +4.8%. With regard to the other exported products, the following average annual rates of growth were recorded: heterocyclic compounds; containing an unfused thiazole ring (whether or not hydrogenated) in the structure (+5.9% per year) and heterocyclic compounds; containing a benzothiazole ring-system (whether or not hydrogenated), not further fused (-1.0% per year).

Export Prices By Type

The average nucleic acid export price stood at $69,009 per ton in 2022, rising by 24% against the previous year. Overall, export price indicated measured growth from 2012 to 2022: its price increased at an average annual rate of +2.2% over the last decade. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2022 figures, nucleic acid export price increased by +78.8% against 2017 indices. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2020 an increase of 40%. Over the period under review, the average export prices hit record highs in 2022 and is expected to retain growth in the near future.

There were significant differences in the average prices amongst the major exported products. In 2022, the product with the highest price was other heterocyclic compounds, n.e.s. in 2934.1, 2934.2 and 2934.3 ($434,553 per ton), while the average price for exports of heterocyclic compounds; containing a benzothiazole ring-system (whether or not hydrogenated), not further fused ($5,444 per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by other heterocyclic compounds, n.e.s. in 2934.1, 2934.2 and 2934.3 (+6.2%), while the other products experienced more modest paces of growth.

Export Prices By Country

The average nucleic acid export price stood at $69,009 per ton in 2022, with an increase of 24% against the previous year. Over the period under review, export price indicated a perceptible increase from 2012 to 2022: its price increased at an average annual rate of +2.2% over the last decade. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2022 figures, nucleic acid export price increased by +78.8% against 2017 indices. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2020 when the average export price increased by 40%. Over the period under review, the average export prices reached the maximum in 2022 and is likely to see steady growth in the immediate term.

There were significant differences in the average prices amongst the major exporting countries. In 2022, amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was Switzerland ($160,213 per ton), while Slovakia ($5,573 per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by India (+8.3%), while the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Market Intelligence Platform