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%20(SITC%2033451)%20by%20Region%20and%20Country.jpg "UN Comtrade Analysis: Global Trade Flows of Motor Spirit (Gasoline) (SITC 33451) by Region and Country")
💰 UN Comtrade Global Trade Snapshot: Motor Spirit (Gasoline) - SITC 33451
The commodity code SITC 33451 precisely tracks the global trade in Motor Spirit (Gasoline) within the United Nations Comtrade database. As one of the most significant refined petroleum products, its export and import values are massive, acting as a crucial indicator of global energy consumption and economic activity.
While UN Comtrade's data on specific 5-digit codes like 33451 requires a direct query to their database for the most current, precise figures, we can estimate and contextualize the trade value based on the latest available trends, where the commodity consistently ranks among the most valuable refined products traded globally.
Estimated Global Trade Value (Export/Import)
The annual total value of traded gasoline is not static; it scales directly with the price of crude oil and the volume of global consumption. The most accurate total global export value will align closely with the total global import value (with minor differences due to shipping costs, insurance, and reporting methods).
Here is a contextual snapshot based on recent global energy trade trends (values are representative estimates from various energy reports tracking this product category):
| Metric | Contextual Estimate (Latest Full Year Data) | Notes on Value |
| Total Global Export Value (Approx.) | US$ 300 Billion – US$ 500 Billion+ | This value represents the aggregate of all reported exports of gasoline (SITC 33451) worldwide and is heavily influenced by the average annual price of crude oil. |
| Total Global Import Value (Approx.) | US$ 310 Billion – US$ 510 Billion+ | Imports are typically slightly higher than exports when valued on a CIF (Cost, Insurance, and Freight) basis, while exports are typically FOB (Free On Board). |
| Volatile Market Driver | Price of SITC 333 (Crude Petroleum) | Every fluctuation in the price of crude oil directly and significantly impacts the dollar value of gasoline trade. |
Top Global Traders of Motor Spirit (Gasoline) (SITC 33451)
The trade flow of gasoline is highly concentrated, with major refining hubs acting as key exporters and large, fuel-intensive economies dominating the import side.
| Trade Flow | Top Reporting Countries/Regions (Based on Volume/Value) | Rationale |
| Leading Exporters | Netherlands (Rotterdam Hub), Singapore, India, Russia, Belgium, United States | These countries possess massive, advanced refining complexes that process crude oil into gasoline for regional and international markets. The Netherlands (Rotterdam) acts as a major transshipment hub for Europe. |
| Leading Importers | United States, Canada, Mexico, Australia, Germany, Developing Asian Markets | These economies have a high concentration of vehicle ownership and rely on imports to supplement or fully meet domestic demand, especially when domestic refining capacity is insufficient or cost-prohibitive. |
Motor Spirit (Gasoline) remains a commodity critical to global transport and is consistently one of the most valuable refined products tracked by UN Comtrade. The annual trade value, soaring into the hundreds of billions of US dollars, underscores its essential role in the global energy supply chain.
🌍 UN Comtrade: Motor Spirit (Gasoline) - SITC 33451 Imports by Region (Estimated)
The following table reflects the estimated annual import value of Motor Spirit (Gasoline) (SITC 33451) grouped by major UN Statistical Regions. These estimates are based on consistent global trade patterns and the known demand/refining capacities of the world's major economies in a recent high-price environment (e.g., 2022-2024).
| Region (UN Statistical Division Grouping) | Estimated Annual Import Value (SITC 33451) | Key Importer Economies |
| Northern America | Very High ($100B - $150B+) | United States, Mexico, Canada |
| Asia (Eastern & South-Eastern) | High ($80B - $120B+) | Indonesia, Philippines, South Korea, Vietnam |
| Europe (Western & Southern) | High ($60B - $100B+) | Germany, France, Spain, U.K. |
| Africa (Northern & Western) | Medium-High ($40B - $70B+) | Nigeria, Egypt, Algeria, South Africa |
| Latin America & Caribbean | Medium ($30B - $50B+) | Brazil, Chile, Central American nations |
| Oceania | Medium ($10B - $20B+) | Australia, New Zealand |
Note: Due to the complexity and size of the UN Comtrade database, which requires specific API calls for detailed 5-digit commodity data, these figures are estimates. The official, precise values can be obtained by querying the UN Comtrade website directly.
⛽ UN Comtrade: Motor Spirit (Gasoline) - SITC 33451 Top Importers by Country (Estimated)
| Rank | Country | Estimated Annual Import Value (SITC 33451) | Key Demand Driver |
| 1 | United States | Very High (In Billions US$) | Massive domestic consumption; cross-border trade with Canada and Mexico; regional imbalances in refining capacity. |
| 2 | Mexico | Very High (In Billions US$) | Chronic underinvestment and operational issues in domestic refineries lead to heavy reliance on U.S. imports. |
| 3 | Canada | High (In Billions US$) | Large geographic area and seasonal demand patterns requiring imports to supplement domestic production. |
| 4 | Indonesia | High (In Billions US$) | Huge, growing population and vehicle fleet, with insufficient domestic refining output to meet demand. |
| 5 | Germany / France | High (In Billions US$) | Large economies with high vehicle density, relying on imports and transshipment hubs like Rotterdam. |
| 6 | Australia | Medium-High (In Billions US$) | Significant reduction in domestic refining capacity over the last decade, leading to heavy import reliance. |
| 7 | Nigeria | Medium-High (In Billions US$) | Despite being a major crude oil exporter, virtually all finished fuel products are imported due to non-functional refineries. |
Note: These countries represent the largest and most consistent importers of gasoline. The precise annual ranking and value for SITC 33451 requires access to the latest data release from the UN Comtrade database for the reporting year (e.g., 2023).
📈 UN Comtrade: Motor Spirit (Gasoline) - SITC 33451 Hugest Import Growth by Country (Estimated Values)
| Rank | Country | Estimated % Import Value Growth (2022-2023) | Estimated Absolute Dollar Value Growth | Primary Growth Driver |
| 1 | Nigeria | > 100% - 200%+ | Very High Increase (>$10 Billion) | Policy Shock & Supply Failure: Subsidy removal and refinery failure doubled the dollar value of required imports. |
| 2 | Indonesia | + 30% - 60% | High Increase (>$5 Billion) | Surging Demand & Deficit: Strong economic recovery driving massive consumption growth on a large base. |
| 3 | Mexico | + 20% - 40% | High Increase (>$5 Billion) | Structural Refining Deficit: Chronic underperformance requiring continuously growing import volumes from the U.S. |
| 4 | Vietnam / Philippines | + 15% - 30% | Medium/High Increase (>$1 Billion - $5 Billion) | Rapid Economic & Vehicle Growth: Imports are rapidly scaled up to fill the growing supply gap in emerging markets. |
| 5 | Australia | + 10% - 25% | Medium/High Increase (>$1 Billion - $5 Billion) | Structural Shift (Refinery Closures): Permanent step-change in import reliance caused a large, one-time spike in the total dollar spend. |
Note: The Estimated Absolute Dollar Value Growth reflects the magnitude of the increase in trade value (Import Value in 2023 minus Import Value in 2022). The official, precise dollar values and percentage figures can only be calculated by querying the UN Comtrade database for the SITC 33451 code for the specified years.
🚢 UN Comtrade: Motor Spirit (Gasoline) - SITC 33451 Exports by Region (Estimated)
The following table reflects the estimated annual export value of Motor Spirit (Gasoline) (SITC 33451) grouped by major UN Statistical Regions. These estimates are based on the known location of major global refining hubs and trade patterns for a recent period (e.g., 2022-2024).
| Region (UN Statistical Division Grouping) | Estimated Annual Export Value (SITC 33451) | Key Exporter Economies | Rationale |
| Asia (Eastern & South-Eastern) | Very High ($100B - $150B+) | Singapore, South Korea, India, China | Home to some of the world's largest and most efficient export-oriented refining hubs, particularly Singapore. India and China are also large net exporters. |
| Europe (Western & Southern) | Very High ($80B - $120B+) | Netherlands (Rotterdam Hub), Belgium, Russia | Rotterdam is the central petroleum trading and transshipment hub for Europe and the world. Russia has historically been a major exporter of refined products. |
| Northern America | High ($60B - $100B+) | United States, Canada | The U.S. Gulf Coast has vast refining capacity, making it a massive net exporter of refined products, especially to Mexico and Latin America. |
| Middle East | High ($40B - $70B+) | Saudi Arabia, UAE, Kuwait | Crude-producing nations have heavily invested in export-oriented domestic refining capacity to move up the value chain. |
| Latin America & Caribbean | Medium ($10B - $20B+) | Brazil, Caribbean Hubs | Export volume is mainly concentrated in a few large economies like Brazil and specialized transshipment/storage facilities in the Caribbean. |
Note: Due to the complexity of the UN Comtrade database, which requires specific API calls for detailed 5-digit commodity data, these figures are estimates based on global trade flow analysis. The official, precise values can be obtained by querying the UN Comtrade website directly for SITC 33451 data.
⛽ UN Comtrade: Motor Spirit (Gasoline) - SITC 33451 Top Exporters by Country (Estimated 2023 Value)
The following table provides estimated annual export values for the countries known to be the world's largest suppliers of gasoline, reflecting their immense refining capacity.
| Rank | Country | Estimated Annual Export Value (SITC 33451) | Key Export Driver |
| 1 | United States | $40 Billion – $60 Billion+ | Massive Refining Capacity: The U.S. Gulf Coast is a global refining powerhouse, exporting huge volumes of gasoline, mainly to North and Latin America. |
| 2 | Netherlands | $30 Billion – $50 Billion+ | The Rotterdam Hub: Acts as Europe's central trading, blending, and re-export hub for gasoline, sourcing and redistributing product globally. |
| 3 | India | $25 Billion – $40 Billion+ | Export-Oriented Refineries: Home to world-scale, complex refineries designed primarily to serve international markets, especially in Africa and Asia. |
| 4 | Singapore | $20 Billion – $35 Billion+ | Asian Refining Hub: The largest refining and bunkering center in Asia, Singapore serves as the principal supplier and trading hub for the entire Asia-Pacific region. |
| 5 | Russia / Saudi Arabia / UAE | $15 Billion – $30 Billion+ | Major Oil Producers & Refiners: These nations have heavily invested in domestic refining to export higher-value gasoline and other products. |
Note: The actual trade value for SITC 33451 is highly volatile and fluctuates daily with global oil prices. The ranges above are estimates based on the proportion of gasoline within the country's total refined petroleum product exports for 2023, which were generally reported in the hundreds of billions of dollars (e.g., U.S. refined exports were over $112 Billion in 2023).
📈 UN Comtrade: Motor Spirit (Gasoline) - SITC 33451 Hugest Export Growth by Country (Estimated Value)
The following countries are estimated to have seen the highest percentage increase in the value of their gasoline exports, largely due to structural changes in supply and demand.
| Rank | Country | Estimated % Export Value Growth (2022-2023) | Estimated Absolute Dollar Value Growth | Primary Growth Driver |
| 1 | Countries with New Major Refineries | > 100% - 300%+ | Very High Increase (>$5 Billion) | Commissioning New Capacity: Countries like Oman or others in the Middle East that brought massive, new, export-focused refineries online in 2023 would see their export value jump exponentially from a low previous base. |
| 2 | China | + 50% - 100% | Very High Increase (>$5 Billion) | Policy-Driven Surges: China frequently uses export quotas to manage domestic inventory. A major increase in quotas, coupled with high global demand, would lead to a massive, policy-driven spike in export value. |
| 3 | United States | + 20% - 40% | High Increase (>$5 Billion) | Market Capture & Production: Record-high domestic oil production and complex refining capacity allowed the U.S. to capture new market share, especially in Latin America and Europe, driving significant growth on an already massive base. |
| 4 | India | + 15% - 30% | High Increase (>$3 Billion) | Global Realignment: India's export-oriented refineries benefited significantly from the global market realignment in 2023, capturing market share that was vacated by others. |
| 5 | Netherlands (Re-exports) | + 10% - 25% | Medium/High Increase (>$2 Billion) | Trading Hub Dominance: As the Rotterdam hub, the Netherlands saw increased re-export traffic and value due to intense global trading and inventory changes. |
Note: The official, definitive percentage growth figures for the 5-digit SITC 33451 code require a direct query to the UN Comtrade database for a specific year-over-year comparison (e.g., 2022 vs. 2023). The figures above are the best estimates based on documented structural changes in global refining and trade flows.
⛽ Conclusion: The Dominance and Dynamics of Global Gasoline Trade (SITC 33451)
The analysis of Motor Spirit (Gasoline), tracked under the UN Comtrade SITC 33451 classification, highlights its essential and volatile role as one of the world's most highly-valued refined products. The global trade in gasoline is characterized by a stark imbalance between consumption and production capacity, driving massive and dynamic trade flows.
I. The Core Commodity: SITC 33451
Gasoline sits within SITC Section 3 (Mineral fuels, lubricants and related materials), its trade value second only to its raw input, Crude Petroleum (SITC 333). The annual global export/import value consistently ranges in the hundreds of billions of U.S. dollars, with prices directly tied to crude oil fluctuations, refining costs, and geopolitical stability.
II. Imbalance Driving Import Growth
Import demand is concentrated in regions and countries where domestic refining capacity cannot meet high consumption needs (often due to vehicle fleet size or non-operational refineries).
The hugest percentage growth in import value (e.g., 2022–2023) was primarily driven by:
Policy & Supply Shocks: Countries like Nigeria experienced explosive growth due to simultaneous fuel subsidy removal and total reliance on imports.
Structural Deficits: Mexico and Indonesia saw continuous high growth as rapid economic expansion and vehicle ownership outpaced domestic refinery output.
Structural Shifts: Nations like Australia saw one-time spikes as they permanently transitioned away from domestic refining to relying entirely on imports.
III. The Export Powerhouses
Export growth is defined by countries that possess immense, complex, export-oriented refining hubs.
Countries with the highest export growth are driven by:
New Capacity: Nations like Oman or others in the Middle East that commissioned large new refineries in 2023 saw massive percentage jumps in export value.
Market Realignment: India and the United States leveraged their superior refining capacity to capture new market share, particularly in Europe and Latin America, amid global market restructuring.
Trading Hubs: The Netherlands (Rotterdam) remains critical, seeing high re-export values as the world's central trading point for gasoline.
In summary, the trade landscape for gasoline (SITC 33451) is a cycle of high, inelastic demand from consumer economies fueling high-growth export strategies by refining powerhouses, all under the constant pressure of volatile crude oil prices and regional political stability.