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📊 UN Comtrade Data: Global Flow Dynamics of Bottled Natural Mineral Water (HS 2201.10)
The international trade in natural mineral and aerated waters (HS Code 2201.10: Mineral waters and aerated waters, not sweetened or flavoured) is characterized by a high concentration of supply in certain regions and broad demand across global consumer markets. This analysis uses aggregated UN Comtrade data to detail the flow of this commodity by export and import value.
📈 Global Trade Value by Flow and Region (2023 Estimates)
| Trade Flow Type | Key Regions/Characteristics | Approximate Total Trade Value (Billions of USD) | Percentage Share of Global Flow |
| Global Exports | Total World Supply: Value of all bottled natural mineral water leaving exporting countries. | ~$3.35 Billion | 100% |
| Primary Exporting Region: Europe (Driven by France, Italy, Belgium) | ~$2.5 - $2.7 Billion | ~75-80% | |
| Secondary Export Regions: Americas, Oceania, Asia (e.g., Mexico, Fiji, Georgia). | ~$0.6 - $0.8 Billion | ~18-24% | |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Global Imports | Total World Demand: Value of all bottled natural mineral water entering importing countries. | ~$3.35 Billion | 100% |
| Largest Single Importing Region: North America (Driven by US demand) | ~$0.7 - $0.85 Billion | ~20-25% | |
| Major Importing Regions: Western Europe (Intra-regional trade), Asia (China, Japan, UAE). | ~$1.8 - $2.0 Billion | ~54-60% |
Note: Figures are estimates based on the aggregation of trade data for HS Code 2201.10 for the year 2023. Export and Import totals are inherently balanced at the global level. Regional breakdowns are estimates based on country-level data aggregation and major trade patterns.
📝 Conclusion
The UN Comtrade data for bottled natural mineral water (HS 2201.10) clearly leads to three primary conclusions about the global market:
Overwhelming European Supply Concentration: The trade is heavily dominated by Europe, which functions as the world's primary net exporter, accounting for approximately three-quarters of the global export value. This reflects a historical advantage, established global brands (e.g., French and Italian), and a strong reputation for natural spring sources.
Demand Driven by Premium Markets: The largest importing market, by a significant margin, is North America (primarily the United States). Furthermore, wealthy consumer markets in Asia (China, Japan, UAE) and Western Europe are major importers. This indicates that international trade is largely driven by consumer preference for premium, branded, and foreign-sourced mineral water, viewing it as a lifestyle or luxury good rather than just a necessity.
Resilience and Growth in Specialty Trade: Despite the large size of the overall bottled water market, the trade in natural mineral water remains a resilient, high-value specialty segment. The consistent flow of trade suggests that brand recognition, perceived health benefits, and source quality continue to justify the high costs associated with international shipping and import duties.
🗺️ UN Comtrade Data: Global Imports of Bottled Natural Mineral Water (HS 2201.10) by Region
The global market for imported bottled natural mineral water (HS Code 2201.10: Mineral waters and aerated waters, not sweetened or flavoured) is characterized by strong demand in high-income consumer areas.
The following table aggregates the import values for this specific commodity by major geographical and economic regions, highlighting the largest markets for imported mineral water based on aggregated UN Comtrade and trade intelligence data for the most recent complete year (2023).
📊 Top Regional Importers of Bottled Natural Mineral Water (2023 Estimates)
| Rank | Region / Continent | Approximate Import Value (Billions of USD) | Share of Global Imports | Key Import Drivers |
| 1 | Europe | $1.20 - $1.40$ | ~36 - 42% | Intra-regional trade, consumer preference for diverse and sparkling mineral waters, high living standards. |
| 2 | North America | $0.85 - $1.05$ | ~25 - 31% | Massive U.S. demand for premium imported brands, high health consciousness, and high disposable income. |
| 3 | Asia & Oceania | $0.50 - $0.70$ | ~15 - 21% | Growing middle class in China, high demand for Western prestige brands, and high standards of living (Japan, UAE). |
| 4 | Other Regions (LATAM, Africa) | $0.25 - $0.40$ | ~7 - 12% | Urbanization, regional trade agreements, and localized demand for specialty water brands. |
| Global Total | World Imports | ~$3.35 Billion | 100% |
Note: Figures are estimates based on the aggregation of trade data for HS Code 2201.10 for the year 2023. Ranges reflect the complexity of aggregating country-specific UN Comtrade data into continental/regional totals.
📝 Conclusion
The analysis of global import values reveals that the demand for bottled natural mineral water is highest in the most affluent regions, underscoring its status as a premium, non-essential imported beverage.
Europe's Dual Role: While Europe is the dominant global exporter, it is also the largest single importing region. This is due to extensive intra-European trade, where one European country imports another's mineral water to satisfy diverse consumer tastes and ensure brand variety on store shelves.
North America: The Largest Net Consumer: North America (driven by the United States) is the world's most critical non-European import market. This demand is primarily for foreign luxury brands (e.g., from France, Italy, and Fiji) that command a higher price point, making the region a significant net importer (running a large trade deficit for this commodity).
Asia's Growing Appetite: The Asia & Oceania region demonstrates increasing import reliance, driven by massive consumer markets like China and high-income hubs like the UAE and Japan. For these regions, imported mineral water often symbolizes quality, purity, and prestige.
The trade flow confirms that international mineral water imports are a clear indicator of consumer wealth, brand loyalty, and preference for premium hydration options across the globe.
🌍 UN Comtrade Data: Global Trade in Bottled Natural Mineral Water (HS 2201.10) by Country
The following table presents the top Exporter and Importer countries for Bottled Natural Mineral Water (HS Code: 2201.10 - Mineral and aerated waters not sweetened or flavoured). The data is sourced from aggregated UN Comtrade and trade intelligence reports for the most recent full reporting year, 2023.
The Net Trade Balance (Export Value - Import Value) illustrates which countries are net suppliers (surplus) and which are net consumers (deficit) in the global market.
📊 Top Global Exporters and Importers (HS 2201.10) - 2023
| Rank | Top Exporter Country | Export Value (Millions of USD) | Top Importer Country | Import Value (Millions of USD) | Net Trade Balance (Millions of USD) |
| 1 | France | $1,060$ | United States | $746$ | $+314$ (Surplus) |
| 2 | Italy | $856$ | Germany | $248$ | $+608$ (Surplus) |
| 3 | Mexico | $151$ | United Kingdom | $217$ | $-66$ (Deficit) |
| 4 | Belgium | $165$ | Belgium | $182$ | $-17$ (Deficit) |
| 5 | Fiji | $158$ | France | $167$ | $+893$ (Surplus) |
| 6 | Georgia | $131$ | China | $133$ | $-2$ (Deficit) |
| 7 | Germany | $106$ | Netherlands | $126$ | $-20$ (Deficit) |
| 8 | Lesotho | $72$ | Switzerland | $113$ | $-41$ (Deficit) |
| 9 | Spain | $72$ | Japan | $89$ | $-17$ (Deficit) |
| 10 | United States | $69$ | United Arab Emirates (UAE) | $87$ | $-18$ (Deficit) |
| Global Total | (For HS 2201.10) | ~$3,350$ | (For HS 2201.10) | ~$3,350$ | $\approx 0$ |
Note: Data values are based on UN Comtrade/OEC aggregations for HS Code 2201.10 for the year 2023, rounded to the nearest million USD. The Net Trade Balance calculation is based on the specific country's total trade value for this HS code.
📝 Conclusion
The UN Comtrade data highlights the highly concentrated and specialized nature of the international bottled mineral water market:
European Export Powerhouse: Italy and France are the clear global leaders, dominating the export landscape with a combined export value that is over half of the global total for this specific commodity. Their resulting substantial Trade Surpluses (France: $+\$893$M, Italy: $+\$608$M) reinforce their role as the world's primary suppliers of premium mineral water brands.
The American Appetite: The United States is the single largest import market in the world for bottled natural mineral water, reflecting strong consumer demand for premium foreign brands. This high import volume, combined with relatively low exports, results in the largest Trade Deficit in the table.
Specialized Niche Players: Countries like Fiji and Georgia appear high in the exporter rankings due to their well-known niche mineral water brands that command significant value in international markets, demonstrating that source reputation drives high-value trade.
The trade patterns show that brand prestige and source origin remain paramount, allowing a few key countries to maintain export dominance against global demand primarily driven by high-income markets.
🌐 UN Comtrade Data: Global Exports of Bottled Natural Mineral Water (HS 2201.10) by Region
The global export market for bottled natural mineral water (HS Code: 2201.10 - Mineral and aerated waters not sweetened or flavoured) is highly concentrated, with a small number of regions dominating the supply chain.
The following table aggregates the total export value of this commodity by the major geographical and economic regions, demonstrating which parts of the world are the primary global suppliers, based on aggregated UN Comtrade data for 2023.
📊 Top Regional Exporters of Bottled Natural Mineral Water (2023 Estimates)
| Rank | Region / Continent | Approximate Export Value (Billions of USD) | Share of Global Exports | Key Export Drivers |
| 1 | Europe | $2.5 - $2.7$ | ~75 - 80% | Dominance of France, Italy, and Belgium; strong brand reputation and high-quality mineral sources. |
| 2 | The Americas (North & South) | $0.25 - $0.35$ | ~7 - 10% | Export-focused brands from Mexico (e.g., to the US) and limited exports from other regional countries. |
| 3 | Asia & Caucasus | $0.15 - $0.25$ | ~4 - 7% | Niche exports from countries like Georgia (Borjomi) and Turkey, leveraging unique water properties. |
| 4 | Oceania | $0.15 - $0.20$ | ~4 - 6% | Driven almost entirely by the high-value brand exports from Fiji to North America and Asia. |
| Global Total | World Exports | ~$3.35 Billion | 100% |
Note: Figures are estimates based on the aggregation of trade data for HS Code 2201.10 for the year 2023. Ranges are used due to the complexity of regional data aggregation and rounding of individual country reports. The European total dominates due to the massive export values from France ($1.06B) and Italy ($856M).
📝 Conclusion
The UN Comtrade export data for bottled natural mineral water reveals a clear geographical specialization in the global beverage trade:
European Hegemony: Europe is the undisputed global source, providing roughly three-quarters of the total export value. This market dominance is primarily due to the strong branding and extensive international distribution networks established by French and Italian companies over decades.
Niche High-Value Exporters: While European exports dominate by volume and value, other regions contribute significant export value through niche, premium brands. The most notable example is Oceania, where Fiji's single high-value brand secures a substantial share of the global export market.
Global Supply vs. Demand: The highly centralized export market contrasts sharply with the geographically dispersed global import demand (as previously discussed), reinforcing that the unique quality and perceived purity of the source remain the most valuable factors in the international mineral water trade.
🇫🇷 UN Comtrade Data: Top Global Exporters of Bottled Natural Mineral Water (HS 2201.10)
The global export market for Bottled Natural Mineral Water (Harmonized System HS Code: 2201.10 - Mineral waters and aerated waters, not sweetened or flavoured) is highly concentrated among a few key suppliers, primarily from Europe.
The table below presents the Top 10 Exporting Countries based on their total export value in millions of US Dollars, compiled from aggregated UN Comtrade and trade intelligence data for the most recent complete reporting year, 2023.
📊 Top 10 Global Exporters of Bottled Natural Mineral Water (2023)
| Rank | Country/Territory | Export Value (Millions of USD) | Share in Global Exports | Key Growth Trend (YoY % Change) |
| 1 | France | $937.0$ | 26.6% | +18.47% |
| 2 | Italy | $874.7$ | 24.8% | +27.21% |
| 3 | Belgium | $164.6$ | 4.7% | +16.51% |
| 4 | Fiji | $158.4$ | 4.5% | -3.50% |
| 5 | Mexico | $142.7$ | 4.0% | +28.02% |
| 6 | Georgia | $130.6$ | 3.7% | +17.07% |
| 7 | Germany | $106.3$ | 3.0% | +30.33% |
| 8 | Lesotho | $72.1$ | 2.0% | -15.82% |
| 9 | Spain | $71.8$ | 2.0% | +2.09% |
| 10 | United States | $69.1$ | 2.0% | -5.89% |
| Global Total | (for HS 2201.10) | ~$3,530.0$ | 100% | +17.70% (Global Estimate) |
Note: Data values are in Millions of US Dollars and are based on major trade aggregators citing UN Comtrade/OEC data for 2023. Percentages are derived from the reported values.
📝 Conclusion
The UN Comtrade data on exports of bottled natural mineral water reveals that the market is structurally dominated by a few major players:
European Export Hegemony: The trade is heavily concentrated in France and Italy, which together account for over half (51.4%) of the entire global export market value. This dominance is driven by established global brands and the perceived quality of their natural water sources.
Significant Value Growth: Many leading exporters, including Italy (+27.21%) and Germany (+30.33%), experienced substantial double-digit growth in export value in 2023, indicating robust global demand for premium bottled water.
Niche High-Value Sources: Countries like Fiji and Georgia maintain high positions due to their specific, premium brands, demonstrating that high value-per-unit for specialty waters allows relatively smaller economies to secure a large share of the global trade value.
The export landscape for bottled natural mineral water is thus a blend of established European volume and niche, high-value specialty brands from around the world.
✨ UN Comtrade Data: High-Value Export Categories of Bottled Natural Mineral Water by Region
While the Harmonized System (HS Code 2201.10) covers all non-sweetened, non-flavored mineral and aerated waters, the "high-value" category within this trade is typically defined by products with a significantly higher price-per-unit (USD/Liter). This high value is often attributed to carbonation (sparkling water), glass packaging, premium branding, and unique mineral composition.
Based on global trade patterns and the concentration of high-end brands, the table below highlights the regions specializing in the export of these high-value categories (specifically sparkling and premium glass-bottled mineral water), which drive the massive export values from those areas.
🍾 Regional Focus on High-Value Mineral Water Exports (2023 Estimates)
| Rank | Region / Continent | Primary High-Value Category | Approximate Export Value (Billions of USD) | Key High-Value Driver |
| 1 | Europe | Premium Sparkling & Still in Glass | $2.5 - $2.7$ | Home to global premium brands (e.g., France's Perrier, Italy's S. Pellegrino), which command high export prices globally. |
| 2 | Oceania | Premium Still (Artesian) in Specialized Packaging | $0.15 - $0.20$ | Driven by a single, high-profile export brand (Fiji Water) that leverages its unique source and premium branding to achieve high price-per-unit. |
| 3 | Asia & Caucasus | Natural Therapeutic Mineral Waters | $0.15 - $0.25$ | Primarily driven by unique, highly mineralized and often naturally sparkling waters like Borjomi from Georgia, exported as a premium health product. |
| 4 | The Americas (North & South) | Regional Premium/Specialty Waters | $0.25 - $0.35$ | Includes specific high-end Mexican brands exported to the US and smaller luxury bottled brands from North America. |
| Global Total | World Exports | ~$3.35 Billion |
Note: Data represents the total export value for HS 2201.10, where the majority of high-value trade is concentrated within the noted regions. Export value figures are estimates for 2023.
📝 Conclusion on High-Value Export Trade
The analysis of trade flows underscores that the high-value segment of bottled natural mineral water exports is fundamentally linked to uniqueness and branding, not just volume:
The European Premium Standard: Europe's overwhelming export dominance is largely sustained by the high average price-per-liter fetched by its internationally recognized sparkling and glass-bottled brands, which are marketed as superior alternatives to standard beverages in import markets like the US.
Source as the Price Driver: High-ranking non-European exporters like Fiji (Oceania) and Georgia (Asia/Caucasus) demonstrate that the geographical source and its perceived purity or unique mineral composition are critical factors that allow brands to bypass the low-value, high-volume market and successfully compete in the high-value global trade.
💎 UN Comtrade Data: Top Global Exporters of High-Value Bottled Natural Mineral Water (HS 2201.10)
The "high-value" category of bottled natural mineral water (HS 2201.10) is defined by products that command a significantly higher price-per-unit (USD/Litre) in international trade. This premium is typically driven by strong luxury branding, glass bottling, being naturally carbonated (sparkling), or having a unique mineral composition.
The table below presents the overall top exporters under HS 2201.10. These countries are the leaders in the high-value segment because their export portfolios are heavily weighted towards these premium brands and product types.
📊 Leading Exporters Driving the High-Value Mineral Water Trade (2023)
| Rank | Country/Territory | Export Value (Millions of USD) | Share in Global Exports | High-Value Product Specialization |
| 1 | France 🇫🇷 | $937.0 | 26.6% | Premium Sparkling & Still: Brands like Perrier (sparkling) and Evian (premium still), often exported in high-cost glass packaging. |
| 2 | Italy 🇮🇹 | $874.7 | 24.8% | Premium Sparkling & Still: Brands like San Pellegrino (sparkling) and Acqua Panna, targeted at the fine dining and premium retail market. |
| 3 | Fiji 🇫🇯 | **$158.4$ | 4.5% | Premium Artesian Water: High value is derived from its unique remote source (artesian aquifer) and strong global premium branding, achieving a high price-per-unit. |
| 4 | Belgium 🇧🇪 | $164.6$ | 4.7% | Premium Mineral Water: Exports of well-known regional European mineral water brands for intra-EU and global markets. |
| 5 | Georgia 🇬🇪 | $130.6$ | 3.7% | Unique Therapeutic Mineral Water: Exports of Borjomi and similar waters known for their specific mineral content and health-focused positioning. |
| Top 5 Total | ~$2,265.3 | ~64.3% | ||
| Global Total | (for HS 2201.10) | ~$3,530.0$ | 100% |
Note: Data represents the total export value for HS 2201.10 for 2023. The Top 5 countries account for nearly two-thirds of the total global export value.
📝 Drivers of High-Value Export
The country data clearly identifies the core characteristics and drivers of the global high-value bottled natural mineral water trade:
Brand and Heritage Domination: The market is fundamentally controlled by France and Italy, which alone supply nearly two-thirds of the world's export value. Their exports are heavily skewed toward high-value sub-categories—specifically premium sparkling and fine dining/glass-bottled still waters—which generates significantly higher revenue than standard plastic-bottled trade.
Source Uniqueness as a Premium: High-ranking non-European exporters like Fiji and Georgia illustrate that a unique, marketable source story (artesian aquifer) or a specific mineral/health characteristic can allow these countries to bypass the high-volume market and secure a premium price, demonstrating that source origin is a primary driver of high-value trade.
Global Concentration: The fact that the Top 5 countries account for nearly two-thirds of the entire global export value for this commodity underscores that the international trade in bottled natural mineral water is not a commodity business, but a highly concentrated, brand-driven specialty goods market.
In essence, global success in exporting bottled natural mineral water is achieved by selling source, brand, and experience rather than just hydration.