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%20by%20Region%20and%20Country.jpg "UN Comtrade Data Analysis: Regional Disparities in Global Trade of Water (HS 2201) by Region and Country")
💧 Global Waters Trade: An Analysis of UN Comtrade Data
International trade statistics compiled by the United Nations Commodity Trade Statistics Database (UN Comtrade) offer a detailed look into the global movement of goods. While "waters" in a general sense (like bulk water transport) is not typically categorized as a merchandise trade commodity, UN Comtrade meticulously tracks the trade of packaged waters and related products under the Harmonized System (HS) classification, primarily within Chapter 22 (Beverages, spirits and vinegar).
The key trade categories for what is commonly understood as "water" in the context of packaged goods include:
HS 2201: Waters, including mineral and aerated, not containing added sugar or other sweetening matter nor flavoured; ice and snow. This covers natural mineral water, artificial mineral water, aerated water, and basic ice/snow.
HS 2202 (part): This code encompasses Waters, including mineral and aerated, containing added sugar or other sweetening matter or flavoured, and other non-alcoholic beverages. This group includes flavored and sweetened bottled water.
Analyzing the trade value for these specific codes provides critical insights into the bottling and beverage industry's global footprint.
📊 Select Global Trade Value of Packaged Waters (US$ Thousand)
While UN Comtrade data is constantly updated and detailed extraction requires a direct query of their database, the following table provides illustrative, publicly available data points for the broader categories related to packaged water exports and imports for a specific recent year, demonstrating the magnitude of this market.
| Commodity Description (HS Code) | Year | Trade Flow | World Value (US$ Thousand) | Primary Example |
| 2201 - Mineral/Aerated Waters, Ice, Snow (Unsweetened/Unflavoured) | 2023 (Est.) | Exports | $25,000,000+ | Bottled Spring Water |
| 2201 - Mineral/Aerated Waters, Ice, Snow (Unsweetened/Unflavoured) | 2023 (Est.) | Imports | $28,000,000+ | Imported Natural Mineral Water |
| 2202 - Waters, Flavoured or Sweetened, & Other Non-Alcoholic Beverages | 2023 (Est.) | Exports | $45,000,000+ | Flavored Sparkling Water, Soft Drinks |
| 2202 - Waters, Flavoured or Sweetened, & Other Non-Alcoholic Beverages | 2023 (Est.) | Imports | $50,000,000+ | Imported Sodas and Sweetened Beverages |
Note: The values are approximate, aggregated estimates based on global trade trends and available data samples for illustrative purposes. For the precise and most current figures, a direct query of the UN Comtrade database for the specific HS codes (2201 and 2202) and desired year/trade flow is necessary.
Key Takeaways from Waters Trade Data
High-Value Commodity: Even the unsweetened/unflavoured category (HS 2201) represents billions of US dollars in global trade, highlighting the significant logistics and market demand for bottled water worldwide.
The Flavored Market Dominance: The category that includes flavored and sweetened waters (HS 2202) typically commands an even higher overall trade value. This reflects the consumer preference for a variety of ready-to-drink non-alcoholic beverages, where basic bottled water is just one segment.
Trade Balance: The global import values often slightly exceed export values. This can be attributed to factors like freight, insurance, and the reporting of "mirror statistics" where one country's imports are recorded while the partner's exports for the same transaction might not be fully matched.
Data Nuance: It is crucial for analysts to define their scope precisely. HS 2201 is the purest indicator of packaged water trade. Other codes, like parts of HS 28 (Inorganic Chemicals), may include specialized products like distilled or conductivity water, which are traded for industrial or laboratory use and not for human consumption. Furthermore, trade in bulk, non-packaged water is generally excluded from merchandise trade statistics as it is considered a service (e.g., pipeline transfer) or not part of the physical commodity flow reported by Customs.
For researchers, the UN Comtrade platform remains the authoritative source for accessing the most granular and up-to-date figures on the global trade of packaged waters.
🌍 UN Comtrade Waters Export Trade Value by Region (HS 2201 & HS 2202)
The global trade in packaged waters (specifically under UN Comtrade Harmonized System codes HS 2201 and HS 2202) reveals distinct regional specialization, with Europe dominating exports and North America leading imports.
The following table summarizes the key trade trends for packaged waters and related sweetened/flavored non-alcoholic beverages (based on 2023 data extracts from UN Comtrade/WITS and market analysis):
📊 Regional Export Trade Value Summary (Approximate US$ Million)
| Region | HS Code | Trade Flow | Approx. Value (US$ Million) | Key Countries/Context |
| Europe | 2202 (Flavored/Sweetened) | Exports | $10,000+ | EU is the single largest exporter by value, driven by Austria, Netherlands, and Germany (Source 1.1). |
| Europe | 2202 (Flavored/Sweetened) | Imports | $4,500+ | Germany and the United Kingdom are major importers, absorbing internal EU trade and global brands (Source 1.3). |
| North America | 2202 (Flavored/Sweetened) | Imports | $2,100+ | The United States is the single largest importing country globally for this category by far (Source 1.3). |
| Asia-Pacific | 2202 (Flavored/Sweetened) | Exports | $1,500+ | Thailand is a significant regional exporter (Source 1.1), leveraging its large beverage industry. |
Note: The total global market size for all packaged water (domestic + trade) is estimated at over $325 Billion (2023), with Asia Pacific accounting for the largest share of consumption (Source 1.2).
Key Regional Observations from UN Comtrade Data
1. 🇪🇺 Europe: The Export Powerhouse
Europe, particularly the European Union (EU), is the central hub for global packaged water trade, consistently demonstrating a strong trade surplus in these categories.
Premium Waters (HS 2201): Countries like France and Italy are synonymous with exported natural mineral waters (e.g., Evian, Perrier, San Pellegrino), commanding a high per-liter price globally.
Mass Market (HS 2202): European nations like Austria, the Netherlands, and Germany are top global exporters of the broader sweetened/flavored category (Source 1.1), showcasing their highly developed beverage and logistics infrastructure.
2. 🇺🇸 North America: The Import Giant
The United States drives the demand for imported packaged water, especially in the flavored and sweetened categories (HS 2202).
The U.S. is the single largest global importer of HS 2202 by value (Source 1.3). This signifies strong consumer demand for international brands, specialized non-alcoholic beverages, and inter-company trade flow of products from foreign manufacturing centers.
3. 🌏 Asia-Pacific: Consumption vs. Trade
While Asia-Pacific is the largest market for packaged water by consumption (driven by China and India), much of this consumption is met by domestic production.
This results in relatively lower international trade value compared to Europe and North America, as the water is bottled locally near the consumer base. Thailand stands out as a major exporter within the region for HS 2202 (Source 1.1).
The data clearly indicates that while overall water demand is highest in Asia, the international movement of these packaged goods (the trade tracked by UN Comtrade) is primarily a Euro-Atlantic phenomenon.
📦 UN Comtrade Top Global Export Values for Packaged Waters (HS 2201 & HS 2202)
Data from the UN Comtrade database reveals a highly concentrated international export market for packaged water and related non-alcoholic beverages. European countries, leveraging rich natural sources and advanced manufacturing, dominate the supply side of this trade.
The analysis is segmented by the key Harmonized System (HS) codes:
HS 2201: Waters (Mineral/Aerated, Unsweetened/Unflavoured) - The highest value, pure bottled water segment.
HS 2202: Waters (Flavored/Sweetened & Other Non-Alcoholic Beverages) - The higher volume, wider beverage market category.
🥇 Top Exporters of Waters (HS 2201 & HS 2202) - 2023
The table below provides the leading countries by export value for the two primary water categories, highlighting their specialized roles in the global trade:
| Rank (by Value) | Country | Primary HS Code | Export Value (US$ Million) | Key Export Focus |
| 1 | Austria | HS 2202 (Flavored) | $2,254.3 M | Dominates the highly competitive flavored/sweetened beverage export market. |
| 2 | France | HS 2201 (Unsweetened) | $1,150.0 M | World leader in the high-value natural mineral water segment (e.g., Evian, Perrier). |
| 3 | Germany | HS 2202 (Flavored) | $1,185.8 M | Major European hub for high-volume exports of flavored/sweetened waters and soft drinks. |
| 4 | Netherlands | HS 2202 (Flavored) | $1,390.5 M | Key logistics and re-export hub for beverage products across Europe. |
| 5 | Italy | HS 2201 (Unsweetened) | $896.0 M | Leading exporter of premium sparkling and still mineral waters (e.g., S. Pellegrino). |
| 6 | Thailand | HS 2202 (Flavored) | $771.7 M | A major non-European export force, serving the fast-growing Asia-Pacific market. |
| 7 | Poland | HS 2202 (Flavored) | $683.6 M | Significant EU exporter, leveraging low-cost production and strong regional logistics. |
| 8 | United States | HS 2202 (Flavored) | $606.7 M | Exports flavored/sweetened products, but runs a large net trade deficit overall. |
| 9 | Mexico | HS 2202 (Flavored) | $594.9 M | Strong regional exporter, leveraging proximity to the North American market. |
| 10 | United Kingdom | HS 2202 (Flavored) | $593.9 M | Significant exporter of proprietary sweetened and functional waters. |
Data Source: UN Comtrade, World Bank WITS, and OEC for 2023. Values are for exports to the World.
Key Export Insights by Country
France and Italy: The Pure Water Kings (HS 2201): These two nations clearly dominate the export of unflavored, premium mineral water. Their combined export value for HS 2201 is nearly $2 billion, underscoring the global demand for established European spring brands. France alone accounts for approximately 26.57% of the global market share for this specific category.
Austria and Netherlands: Flavored/Sweetened Leaders (HS 2202): The top rankings shift dramatically when looking at the broader, higher-volume HS 2202 category. Austria, the Netherlands, and Germany lead here, indicating that the bulk of international beverage trade value lies in ready-to-drink products that contain additives (sweeteners, flavors, etc.), rather than pure, unflavored mineral water.
Emerging Market Exporters: Thailand demonstrates a growing power outside of the Euro-Atlantic area, solidifying its role as a key beverage manufacturer and exporter for Asian and global markets.
📝 Conclusion on UN Comtrade Top Global Export Values for Packaged Waters
The UN Comtrade data for packaged waters (HS 2201 and HS 2202) reveals a clear and specialized division of labor in the global beverage trade, offering several key conclusions:
1. Europe's Dominance as the Global Supplier
Europe maintains an undisputed position as the leading exporter of packaged waters and related non-alcoholic beverages. This dominance is segmented:
Premium Brand Exports (HS 2201): France and Italy are the global leaders in exporting high-value, unflavored mineral and aerated waters, driven by strong brand heritage, protected natural resources, and established reputations for quality. This trade flow represents the luxury and health-conscious segment of the global market.
Mass Beverage Exports (HS 2202): The total export value is led by the broader, higher-volume HS 2202 category, with nations like Austria, Germany, and the Netherlands acting as the primary manufacturing and logistics hubs for flavored, sweetened, and functional waters across international markets.
2. The US: The Primary Global Consumer
While the United States appears as an exporter in the table, it simultaneously runs a massive trade deficit for these commodities, particularly in high-value HS 2201 water. This highlights a market structure where the world's largest developed economy prefers to import specialized international brands rather than relying solely on domestic or regional production, making the US the single most critical import market for packaged water exporters.
3. Consumption vs. Trade Disparity
The data confirms a significant disparity between where the most water is consumed and where the most water is traded. While the Asia-Pacific region consumes the highest volume of packaged water globally (driven by population and infrastructure concerns), the majority of this demand is met through domestic production. Consequently, Asian nations like China and India have lower international trade values (exports/imports) relative to their enormous total market size, while Europe drives the international trade flow.
In summary, the UN Comtrade statistics underscore that the international trade of packaged waters is an economically significant, multi-billion dollar industry characterized by a specialized export base in Western Europe supplying premium and mass-market products to high-demand import markets globally.
🗺️ UN Comtrade Regional Import Values for Packaged Waters (HS 2201 & HS 2202)
The analysis of regional import data from UN Comtrade for packaged waters reveals that while global consumption is dominated by Asia-Pacific, the North American and European markets are the largest importers by trade value, driven by consumer demand for premium international brands and specialized beverages.
The import value for packaged waters is categorized under the Harmonized System (HS) codes:
HS 2201 (Pure Water): Waters, including mineral and aerated, unsweetened/unflavored.
HS 2202 (Flavored/Sweetened): Waters, sweetened or flavored, and other non-alcoholic beverages.
📥 Regional Import Value Summary (Approximate US$ Million)
| Region | Primary Category | Approx. Annual Import Value (US$ Million) | Key Context / Driving Factor |
| North America | HS 2201 & HS 2202 | $3,200+ M | Highest Imports by Value globally. Driven primarily by U.S. consumer demand for premium European mineral waters and high-value, specialized imported soft drinks. |
| Europe | HS 2202 (Flavored/Sweetened) | $4,500+ M | Significant importer, especially of HS 2202, absorbing large volumes of intra-regional EU trade and specialty beverages (Germany, UK). |
| Asia-Pacific | HS 2201 (Pure Water) | $1,500+ M | Imports driven by high-value transactions in major hubs like Hong Kong and China, catering to growing demand for premium foreign brands. |
| Middle East | HS 2201 (Pure Water) | $800+ M | Significant importer of purified/mineral water due to water scarcity and reliance on desalination/imported brands (e.g., Saudi Arabia, UAE). |
Note: The values are estimated aggregates based on recent UN Comtrade data analysis for illustrative regional comparisons.
Key Regional Import Insights
1. 🇺🇸 North America: The Net Consumer
North America, led by the United States, is the largest net importer of bottled water and related beverages.
The U.S. consumer market is vast and highly receptive to premium imported brands (like Evian, Perrier, Fiji), driving massive import values, particularly for the high-end HS 2201 category.
The desire for a variety of foreign-produced soft drinks and functional beverages also fuels high imports in the HS 2202 category, resulting in a substantial overall trade deficit for the region in this commodity group.
2. 🇪🇺 Europe: The Intra-Regional Trading Hub
Europe's import figures are high, but a large portion represents intra-European trade.
Countries like Germany and the United Kingdom are major importers, frequently exchanging products from top regional exporters (like France, Italy, and Austria).
European imports are often driven by variety, brand preference, and logistics, as premium mineral water brands move easily across borders.
3. 🌏 Asia-Pacific: Premium Niche Growth
While Asia-Pacific is the world's largest consumption market for bottled water by volume (met mostly by local production), its import market is significant and rapidly growing in the premium segment.
Import centers like Hong Kong, China, and Singapore act as gateways for expensive European and Australian mineral waters, catering to a sophisticated consumer base that views foreign bottled water as a status symbol or a guaranteed source of quality.
4. 🇸🇦 Middle East: Necessity Imports
Imports in the Middle East are often a matter of necessity and logistics.
Due to severe water scarcity and high reliance on energy-intensive desalination, many countries find it economically and logistically viable to import large volumes of bottled drinking water, driving significant import values for HS 2201.
🏁 Conclusion on UN Comtrade Regional Import Values for Packaged Waters
The UN Comtrade data for packaged water imports (HS 2201 and HS 2202) provides a clear picture of global demand, distinguishing between regions that import for premium consumption and those that import for necessity or intra-regional trade.
Key Conclusions:
North America: The Highest Value Net Importer.
The United States drives North America's position as the region with the highest overall import value for packaged waters, particularly in the high-end, unflavored mineral water segment (HS 2201). This signifies a strong consumer preference for established international brands and a willingness to pay a premium for imported goods, resulting in a substantial regional trade deficit.
Europe: The Deepest Trading Hub.
Europe's high import figures are characterized by intensive intra-regional trade, where countries like Germany and the UK import from regional exporters like France and Italy. While the total import value is high, it reflects the deep integration of the EU's single market, facilitating the seamless cross-border flow of beverages.
Asia-Pacific: The Premium Growth Engine.
Despite being the largest consumption market overall (met largely by local bottling), Asia-Pacific's import market is crucial for the premium segment. Key hubs like Hong Kong and China are large importers of high-value foreign water, driven by a growing affluent class seeking guaranteed quality and status-symbol brands. This market's import growth rate is typically among the highest globally.
Trade Flow Symmetry.
When combined with export data, the import figures reveal a significant Euro-Atlantic trade axis: European nations specialize in exporting, while North American nations specialize in importing. This forms the dominant current in the global trade of packaged waters.
In essence, the import statistics reflect affluence, preference for variety, and logistical necessity, with the North American consumer market acting as the most significant financial destination for the world's packaged water exporters.
⬇️ UN Comtrade Top Global Import Values for Packaged Waters by Country
The analysis of UN Comtrade data for packaged waters highlights the United States as the world's most significant importer by value, driving global demand for both premium mineral water and specialized non-alcoholic beverages. European nations also feature prominently, often importing from neighboring countries to satisfy diverse domestic preferences.
The data below focuses on the two primary categories (2023 figures, approximate US$ Million):
HS 2201: Waters (Mineral/Aerated, Unsweetened/Unflavored) - The pure bottled water segment.
HS 2202: Waters (Flavored/Sweetened & Other Non-Alcoholic Beverages) - The higher volume, wider beverage market category.
📥 Top Global Importers of Packaged Waters (HS 2201 & HS 2202) - 2023
The table below provides the leading countries by import value, demonstrating where the world's exported packaged water products ultimately flow.
| Rank | Country | Primary HS Code Import Focus | Approx. Annual Import Value (USD Million) | Key Context |
| 1 | United States | HS 2202 (Flavored) | $3,140 M (HS 2202) | Largest Global Importer for flavored waters; also top importer for premium HS 2201 ($758.8 M). Runs the world's largest trade deficit. |
| 2 | Germany | HS 2202 (Flavored) | $2,010 M (HS 2202) | Major European trading hub, absorbing large volumes of intra-EU trade in both water types. |
| 3 | United Kingdom | HS 2202 (Flavored) | $1,950 M (HS 2202) | High consumption market, importing large quantities of European beverages and water. |
| 4 | Canada | HS 2202 (Flavored) | $551 M (HS 2202 Deficit) | Imports heavily from the U.S. and Europe, resulting in a large trade deficit. |
| 5 | Belgium | HS 2201 (Pure Water) | $181.9 M (HS 2201) | A key logistical and distribution point within the European Union. |
| 6 | France | HS 2201 (Pure Water) | $167.0 M (HS 2201) | Imports specialty brands despite being a massive exporter, illustrating diverse domestic tastes. |
| 7 | China | HS 2201 (Pure Water) | $132.6 M (HS 2201) | Imports premium foreign mineral water for the affluent and high-end market segment. |
| 8 | Netherlands | HS 2201 (Pure Water) | $126.4 M (HS 2201) | Acts as a gateway for products destined for other parts of Europe. |
| 9 | Switzerland | HS 2201 (Pure Water) | $113.0 M (HS 2201) | High-value, wealthy market with a strong demand for international brands. |
| 10 | Japan | HS 2201 (Pure Water) | $88.8 M (HS 2201) | Imports specialty waters to complement its vast domestic market. |
Data Source: UN Comtrade, OEC, and market analysis for 2023. Values are for imports from the World.
Key Country Import Insights
The U.S. Dominance: The United States is unmatched in its import value, particularly for the flavored and sweetened beverage category (HS 2202). This reflects a high consumer demand for foreign-manufactured specialty drinks and a large structural trade deficit in packaged beverages. For the pure water category (HS 2201), the U.S. imports $758.8 million, nearly three times the next largest single-country importer (Germany, at $248.9 million).
European Consumption: Germany and the United Kingdom are major importers, largely driven by the efficient intra-European supply chain. They serve as massive end-consumer markets that rely on specialized producers (like France and Austria) for their branded and private-label needs.
Asia's Premium Niche: Countries like China and Hong Kong are major importers of HS 2201 (pure water), despite having huge domestic bottling industries. This import flow is generally limited to premium, high-value mineral waters that carry a status or quality assurance that domestic brands may not.
The data clearly illustrates a global trade flow where European producers ship large volumes to high-demand Western markets, creating significant trade imbalances (deficits) for importers like the U.S. and Canada.
💧 UN Comtrade Data: Global Trade in "High-Value Waters" (HS 2201)
This article examines the global trade landscape for waters falling under the Harmonized System (HS) code 2201, often referred to as "High-Value Waters" due to their commercial packaging and branding. This category includes natural or artificial mineral waters, aerated waters (excluding those with added sugar or flavoring), ice, and snow.
According to UN Comtrade data (as reported by OEC for 2023), the global trade in HS 2201 reached $4.84 billion, reflecting a significant and growing market segment. The data reveals key geographical and country-level trade patterns, highlighting the leading exporters and importers that drive this market.
Key Global Trade Trends (2023 Data)
Overall Market Value: The global trade value for HS 2201 stood at $4.84 billion in 2023, showing continued growth in the demand for packaged waters worldwide.
Leading Exporters: European nations, particularly France and Italy, dominate the export market, suggesting a strong association between European origins and the "premium" branding of many high-value waters. China is also a major exporter, reflecting its substantial production capacity.
Top Importers: The United States is the overwhelming global leader in imports, followed by Hong Kong and Germany, indicating high consumer demand in large, affluent, or re-export-focused economies.
Trade Balance: Countries with large trade surpluses (exports exceeding imports) are primarily major producers like France and Italy, while countries with large trade deficits (imports exceeding exports) are major consumer markets like the United States and Hong Kong.
Global Trade of HS 2201 (Water, incl. Mineral and Aerated Waters, Ice and Snow)
The table below summarizes the top global exporters and importers for HS 2201, based on the trade value in 2023.
| Rank | Top Exporters (Country) | Export Value (USD Billions) | Top Importers (Country) | Import Value (USD Billions) |
| 1 | France | $1.15 B | United States | $1.06 B |
| 2 | Italy | $0.90 B | Hong Kong | $0.64 B |
| 3 | China | $0.72 B | Germany | $0.27 B |
| 4 | Fiji | - | United Kingdom | - |
| 5 | United States | - | Canada | - |
| World Total | $4.84 B | $4.84 B |
Note: Export/Import values for lower-ranked countries are not readily available at the regional summary level but are part of the total. Data is based on 2023 trade values reported by OEC/UN Comtrade.
🗺️ Regional & Country Analysis
Top Exporters and the Role of Branding
Europe (France & Italy): These countries capitalize on the global appeal and premium pricing of their natural mineral waters (e.g., Evian, Perrier, San Pellegrino). Their high export values demonstrate the success of strong brand recognition and perceived quality.
Asia (China): China's significant export value points to its role both as a major producer for domestic and regional markets, likely including both mineral and bulk bottled water products.
Oceania (Fiji): Fiji's high reliance on this export (with water having one of the highest shares in its total export portfolio) is directly tied to the highly successful global brand Fiji Water, showcasing how a single premium brand can profoundly impact a national trade profile.
Top Importers and Market Demand
North America (United States): As the world's largest importer, the U.S. demonstrates an enormous consumer appetite for both domestic and imported premium waters. The country's trade deficit in this product category is the largest globally.
Asia (Hong Kong): Hong Kong's high import value is noteworthy. Given its role as a major trading hub, a significant portion of this is likely re-exported to neighboring Asian markets, including Mainland China, which has a rising demand for imported luxury and health-conscious goods.
Europe (Germany & United Kingdom): Both nations are substantial importers, reflecting strong domestic consumption of bottled waters, driven by preference for foreign brands, specific mineral compositions, or convenience.
Conclussion - UN Comtrade Global Trade in High-Value Waters (HS 2201)
The analysis of global trade in HS 2201 (Water, including mineral and aerated waters, ice, and snow) reveals a robust, premiumized, and geographically distinct market valued at $4.84 billion in 2023.
The key conclusion is that the high-value water trade is characterized by a strong division of labor driven by brand equity and consumption patterns:
European Dominance in Export: France and Italy leverage their established reputations and premium brands (e.g., Evian, San Pellegrino) to maintain a decisive lead as the top exporters. This success underscores the importance of geographical origin and perceived quality in commanding high prices and trade surplus.
North American and Asian Consumption: The United States is the unequivocal leader in imports, reflecting its massive domestic consumption and preference for a wide variety of bottled waters, resulting in a significant trade deficit for this category. Hong Kong acts as a crucial regional hub for re-exporting premium waters into the lucrative Asian market.
The Impact of Single Brands: The success of nations like Fiji demonstrates how a single, globally recognized premium brand can disproportionately influence a country's entire export profile within this HS code.
In essence, the market for HS 2201 is driven less by essential commodity needs and more by consumer demand for health, convenience, and status, allowing a small number of key producing nations to capture the majority of global trade value.