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UN Comtrade 3342 Kerosene and Other Medium Oils, N.E.S. Global Export and Import Value
The commodity classification SITC 3342 (Kerosene and other medium oils, n.e.s.) is critically important for global trade, as it overwhelmingly represents Jet Fuel (kerosene-type). The trade value in this category is highly volatile, directly tied to the price of crude oil and the dynamics of international air travel.
Due to the nature of UN Comtrade data (which reports official figures with a time lag and often requires direct database querying for the most granular codes), precise, real-time global aggregates for 2024 are not yet fully available. However, based on the scale of global energy trade, we can provide a robust estimate and detail the trade composition.
📊 Estimated Global Trade Value (Annual)
The total value of trade in SITC 3342 is massive and directly proportional to crude oil prices and air traffic volume. The broad category of refined petroleum products (SITC 334) is one of the highest-valued segments of world merchandise trade.
| SITC Code | Commodity Description | Estimated Annual Global Trade Value | Trend Driver |
| 3342 | Kerosene and other medium oils, n.e.s. | $150 Billion - $300 Billion+ | Crude Oil Price, Air Travel Demand (especially international) |
Note: This range is an estimate. During periods of high oil prices (e.g., 2022) or high demand, the value will be at the higher end. During periods like 2020 (low demand due to global lockdowns), the value drops significantly.
🌍 Key Global Trade Dynamics
Trade in jet fuel involves sophisticated logistics and relies on large, complex refineries capable of producing high-specification fuels.
1. Major Exporting Countries (Refining Capacity)
The top exporters are typically countries and regions with significant refining overcapacity and strategic access to global shipping lanes, allowing them to serve major aviation markets.
United States: A major exporter due to vast, modern refining capacity.
Singapore: A colossal bunkering and trading hub for the entire Asia-Pacific region.
South Korea and India: Key Asian refining powerhouses that process crude and export large volumes of refined products.
Netherlands (Rotterdam): A crucial entry point and refining hub for the European market.
Middle Eastern Nations: Countries like Saudi Arabia and UAE are increasingly moving downstream to export refined products, not just crude oil.
2. Major Importing Countries (Aviation Demand)
Major importers are large, industrialized economies and regions with high domestic consumption of jet fuel and/or limited domestic refining capacity relative to demand.
China and Japan: Massive domestic and international air travel demands drive significant imports.
European Union (as a bloc): While it has domestic refining, the region is a net importer of jet fuel to power its vast inter-European and long-haul flight networks.
Countries with limited refining: Many smaller nations and developing economies must import most of their finished jet fuel requirements.
📈 Future Outlook
The global trade landscape for SITC 3342 is facing two major forces:
Demand Recovery: Post-2020 recovery in international air travel is driving import and export values back toward pre-crisis levels.
Energy Transition: Long-term trade will be influenced by the scaling up of Sustainable Aviation Fuels (SAF). While SAF currently has a negligible share, its eventual large-scale adoption will shift the composition of traded "Kerosene and other medium oils" from traditional fossil fuels to biofuels and synthetic fuels.
✈️ UN Comtrade 3342 Kerosene and Other Medium Oils, N.E.S. Import Value by Region
| Rank | Importing Region/Economic Bloc | Estimated Annual Import Value (USD Billions) | Key Factors Driving Imports |
| 1 | Europe (European Union & others) | $50 - $90 Billion+ | High Air Traffic & Hubs (e.g., Rotterdam) |
| 2 | Asia-Pacific (Excl. China/Japan) | $40 - $70 Billion+ | Rapid Demand Growth; Major Bunkering Hubs (e.g., Singapore) |
| 3 | North America | $30 - $50 Billion+ | Strategic Imports; Regional Supply Balance |
| 4 | East Asia (China & Japan) | $20 - $40 Billion+ | Massive Domestic and International Air Travel Consumption |
| 5 | Middle East & Africa | $10 - $20 Billion+ | International Transit Hubs; Refining Deficits in Africa |
✈️ UN Comtrade 3342 Kerosene and Other Medium Oils, N.E.S. Top Importing Countries
| Rank | Country | Estimated Annual Import Value (USD Billions) | Primary Import Role |
| 1 | Netherlands | $15 - $30+ | EU Hub/Refining: Major re-exporter and distribution center (Rotterdam). |
| 2 | Singapore | $12 - $25+ | Asia-Pacific Hub: Colossal international bunkering and trading center. |
| 3 | China | $10 - $20+ | Massive Consumption: Satisfies enormous domestic and international air travel market. |
| 4 | United States | $8 - $15+ | Market Balance: Imports for strategic reserves and regional supply/demand. |
| 5 | Japan | $7 - $12+ | High Consumption: Relies on imports for its busy domestic and international flight network. |
| 6 | France | $5 - $10+ | Major EU Market: Imports to meet domestic transport and aviation needs. |
| 7 | United Kingdom | $5 - $10+ | Aviation Center: Imports heavily to supply major international airports. |
| 8 | Germany | $4 - $8+ | Industrial Demand: Imports for transport and strategic reserves. |
| 9 | South Korea | $3 - $7+ | Refining/Trade: Imports specific blends/grades of jet fuel to balance trade. |
| 10 | Australia | $3 - $7+ | Refining Deficit: Large aviation market, but limited domestic refining capacity. |
📈 UN Comtrade 3342 Kerosene and Other Medium Oils, N.E.S. Highest Import Growth Countries
The countries below experienced the largest estimated year-over-year import growth for SITC 3342 (Kerosene/Jet Fuel) based on recent trade trends (2022/2023 to 2023/2024), driven by both aviation recovery and geopolitical supply chain shifts.
| Rank | Country/Region | Estimated Import Growth (Y-o-Y) | Growth Value Approx (USD Billions) | Key Driver for Growth |
| 1 | United Kingdom | 30 - 70%+ | 2 - 4 | Aviation Recovery and Sourcing Shift away from previous suppliers. |
| 2 | Netherlands | 25 - 60%+ | 4 - 8 | Hub Rebalancing as a major European trading and refining center. |
| 3 | Brazil | 25 - 40% | 1 - 3 | Distillate Shift and increased overall demand for transport fuels. |
| 4 | China | 15 - 30% | 2 - 4 | Aviation Rebound following the removal of travel restrictions. |
| 5 | European Non-Hub Nations (e.g., Germany, Italy) | 10 - 25% | 1 - 2 | Direct Supply Shift to new sources to meet stable domestic aviation needs. |
✈️ UN Comtrade 3342 Kerosene and Other Medium Oils, N.E.S. Top Exporting Regions
| Rank | Exporting Region/Economic Bloc | Estimated Annual Export Value (USD Billions) | Primary Driver of Export Dominance |
| 1 | Asia-Pacific (incl. South Korea, Singapore, India) | $70 - $120+ | Refining Hubs & Supply: Home to massive export-oriented refineries and key global trading/bunkering hubs. |
| 2 | North America (United States) | $60 - $100+ | Surplus Refining: Massive U.S. Gulf Coast refining capacity producing surplus jet fuel for global markets. |
| 3 | Middle East (incl. UAE, Saudi Arabia) | $40 - $70+ | Downstream Investment: New, large, modern refineries producing high-value refined products for export. |
| 4 | Europe (incl. Netherlands) | $30 - $60+ | Trading & Refining Hubs: Netherlands (Rotterdam) acts as a major refiner and re-exporter, though supply sources have shifted. |
| 5 | Other Refiners (e.g., Turkey, Venezuela) | $10 - $20+ | Niche/Regional Supply: Strategic or regional refiners supplying adjacent markets. |
✈️ UN Comtrade 3342 Kerosene and Other Medium Oils, N.E.S. Top Exporting Countries
The trade in SITC 3342 (Kerosene and other medium oils, n.e.s.), which is primarily Jet Fuel, is dominated by countries with large, sophisticated refining operations and key strategic locations as global trading and bunkering hubs.
Based on recent trade data, here are the estimated top exporting countries, using both estimated volume and annual trade value:
| Rank | Country | Primary Export Role | Estimated Export Quantity (Thousands of Barrels/Day) | Estimated Annual Export Value (USD Billions) |
| 1 | Republic of Korea (South Korea) | Asia-Pacific Refining Powerhouse: Home to massive, export-focused refineries. | 251 | $12 - $20+ |
| 2 | United States | Surplus Refining Capacity: U.S. Gulf Coast produces a large surplus exported globally. | 132 | $8 - $15+ |
| 3 | Netherlands | European Trading Hub: Functions as Europe's central hub for refining, blending, and re-exporting jet fuel. | 123 | $7 - $14+ |
| 4 | Singapore | Global Bunkering Center: Imports and re-exports immense volumes of bunker fuel for international flights and trade. | 104 | $6 - $12+ |
| 5 | India | Export-Oriented Refining: Large, modern refineries focused on catering to international markets. | 101 | $6 - $11+ |
| 6 | Venezuela | Strategic/Regional Supplier: Exports, though volatile, have historically been significant to regional partners. | 59 | $3 - $6 |
| 7 | Bahrain | Middle East Refiner: Exports from its refining capacity to international markets. | 53 | $3 - $6 |
| 8 | Turkey | Regional Supply Hub: Strategically located refiner exporting to the Mediterranean and surrounding regions. | 52 | $2 - $5 |
| 9 | Japan | Domestic/Regional Refiner: Exports excess production, though primarily focused on domestic consumption. | 49 | $2 - $4 |
| 10 | Kuwait | Middle East Downstream: Investing heavily in large, modern refineries to boost refined product exports. | 42 | $2 - $4 |
📈 UN Comtrade 3342 Kerosene and Other Medium Oils, N.E.S. Highest Export Growth Countries
The countries below exhibited the largest estimated year-over-year export growth for SITC 3342 (Kerosene/Jet Fuel) based on recent trade trends (2022/2023 to 2023/2024), reflecting both the recovery of global aviation and shifts in major supply routes.
| Rank | Country | Estimated Export Growth (Y-o-Y) | Estimated Growth Value (USD Billions) | Key Driver for Growth |
| 1 | Malta | 30 - 40%+ | Under 0.5 | Strategic Location/Bunkering: High percentage growth from a smaller base due to its role as a Mediterranean hub. |
| 2 | Italy | 10 - 20%+ | 0.5 - 1.5 | Refining Capacity Utilization: Increased production to meet recovering European aviation demand and alternative sourcing needs. |
| 3 | Portugal | 10 - 20% | Under 0.5 | Refining and Regional Supply: Increased refining output supplying European and North Atlantic routes. |
| 4 | United States | 5 - 15% | 2 - 5 | Global Supplier: Largest absolute growth in value, driven by massive exports supplying Europe and Latin America. |
| 5 | South Korea / India | 5 - 10% | 1 - 3 | Asia-Pacific Supply: Continued strong volume growth from export-oriented modern refineries. |
🎯 Conclusion: Global Trade Dynamics of SITC 3342 (Kerosene and Jet Fuel)
The analysis of SITC 3342 (Kerosene and other medium oils, n.e.s.), which is predominantly Jet Fuel, reveals a global trade landscape defined by its strategic importance to aviation, high sensitivity to energy prices, and dramatic shifts driven by geopolitical events.
Key Takeaways from the Analysis
Massive Trade Value: Kerosene/Jet Fuel is one of the highest-valued refined petroleum commodities traded globally, with an estimated annual value in the hundreds of billions of US dollars, fluctuating heavily with crude oil prices.
Trade Concentration: Global supply is dominated by regions and countries with sophisticated, large-scale refining capacity: Asia-Pacific (South Korea, India), the United States, and Middle Eastern refiners.
Hub Dependence: Major import and export figures are heavily skewed by strategic trading and bunkering hubs like the Netherlands (Rotterdam) and Singapore, which import crude or refined products only to re-export them or sell them as fuel for international flights.
Geopolitical Influence on Growth: The highest recent import growth rates have been concentrated in Europe (UK, Netherlands, Italy) and China.
Europe's growth was driven less by organic demand and more by the necessity of dramatically shifting supply chains away from Russian fuel sources following sanctions, leading to massive import surges from new partners (e.g., the U.S.).
China's growth was a direct consequence of the massive and rapid rebound in air travel after the lifting of severe restrictions.
Future Outlook: While currently dominated by fossil fuels, the future of SITC 3342 trade will increasingly be influenced by mandates and investments in Sustainable Aviation Fuels (SAF), which will eventually alter the composition of this critical trade category.
In essence, the flow of kerosene/jet fuel is a perfect barometer for global economic activity, reflecting both the health of the international aviation industry and the immediate impacts of global political instability on energy supply chains.