Iran Acyclic Alcohols Export: Value Drop

Sophia

Iran's Acyclic Alcohols export under HS code 2905 saw a 40% YoY value drop to $2.68B in 2025, with China absorbing 86.8% of shipments. Verified data from yTrade.

Key Takeaways

Iran's Acyclic Alcohols exports under HS Code 2905 from January to December 2025 were marked by concentrated bulk trade and pricing volatility.

  • HS Code 2905 trade data shows a 40% YoY value drop to $2.68B, driven by price pressure despite stable shipment volume (1.68K shipments, -7% frequency).
  • China absorbed 86.8% of export value, with saturated monohydric methanol (290511) dominating at 78% share ($2.09B).
  • Iran Acyclic Alcohols Export supplier base is hyper-concentrated, with four firms (e.g., KIMIA SANAT FERDOWS) accounting for >99.9% of value.
  • Ethylene glycol (290531) was the second-largest sub-code ($592.53M), primarily shipped to China ($530.45M) for industrial use.

This overview covers the period January to December 2025 and is based on verified customs data from the yTrade database.

Iran Acyclic Alcohols Exports Under HS 2905 in 2025: A Sharp Price-Driven Decline

Iran Acyclic Alcohols Export data for calendar 2025 shows a total value of $2.68B across 1.68K shipments. This represents a significant 40% drop in value from the $4.44B recorded in 2024. The relatively stable shipment frequency, which declined only 7%, points squarely to severe pricing pressure rather than a collapse in operational cadence, as volumes shipped actually increased.

Under today’s policy environment, these historical totals help calibrate the scale of trade now facing new external risks. The U.S. has authorized tariffs on countries engaging in trade with Iran, citing a potential 25% ad valorem rate as an example.

For counterparties in third countries, the HS code 2905 value of past transactions becomes a key baseline for assessing potential new cost exposures from such measures. This underscores the need for ongoing monitoring of enforcement actions.

  • Review Counterparty Exposure: Assess trading partners' reliance on Iranian Acyclic Alcohols, as their imports may soon face punitive tariffs in key markets like the U.S., increasing supply chain costs.
  • Factor in Margin Buffer: The demonstrated history of severe price volatility (average unit price down 41% YoY) combined with new tariff risks necessitates larger contingency buffers in forward contracts.
  • Document Trade Provenance: Enhanced due diligence is critical to demonstrate goods are not subject to sanctions, as U.S. measures target indirect acquisitions from Iran.

Table: Iran Acyclic Alcohols Export Value, Weight, Unit Price(Source: yTrade)

  • Export value declined sharply in 2025, falling to $2.68B from $4.44B in 2024, representing a -39.59% YoY decrease, indicating weaker export prices or reduced demand.
  • Export volume increased slightly, with total weight reaching 11.45B kg, up 2.75% year-over-year, suggesting stable production levels despite lower export revenue.
  • Trade activity decreased, as shipment frequency dropped to 1.68K transactions, compared with 1.80K in 2024 (-6.99%).
  • Average export price fell significantly, declining to $0.23/kg from $0.40/kg, a -41.21% drop, which largely explains the sharp fall in export value.
  • Acyclic alcohols are part of Iran’s organic chemical exports, which remain among the country’s notable export categories within the broader petrochemical sector.
Metric 2025 2024 YoY
Total Value 2.68B USD 4.44B USD -39.59%
Total Weight 11.45B kg 11.14B kg +2.75%
Frequency 1.68K 1.80K -6.99%
Avg Unit Price $0.23/kg $0.40/kg -41.21%

Get Iran Acyclic Alcohols Data Latest Updates

Exports Dominated by Bulk Industrial Acyclic Alcohols

In 2025, Iran's exports under HS 2905 were overwhelmingly dominated by two types of industrial Acyclic Alcohols.

The primary export was saturated monohydric methanol (290511), valued at $2.09B and constituting approximately 78% of the total value. The second most significant type was ethylene glycol (290531), valued at $592.53M, with a 22% value share.

This export structure is highly concentrated, indicating a focus on bulk, basic industrial chemicals rather than diversified, processed, or consumer-ready grades.

The massive scale of methanol and ethylene glycol shipments suggests Iran's export profile in this sector is geared towards supplying large-volume feedstock and raw materials for global industrial supply chains.

Table: Iran HS Code 2905 Export Breakdown Details (Source: yTrade)

  • Methanol (HS 290511) dominates Iran’s acyclic alcohol exports, generating $2.09B, accounting for 77.79% of total export value, with 10.27B kg traded and 638 shipment records. Methanol is one of Iran’s key petrochemical export products globally.
  • Ethylene glycol (HS 290531) is the second-largest export category, valued at $592.53M, representing 22.08% of exports, with 1.18B kg traded and 928 shipments, reflecting strong demand in plastics and chemical manufacturing.
  • Other acyclic alcohol products play a minimal role, including propylene glycol (HS 290532), other saturated monohydric alcohols (HS 290519), and glycerol (HS 290545), each contributing around 0.03% of total export value.
  • The export structure is highly concentrated, with methanol and ethylene glycol together accounting for nearly 100% of Iran’s HS 2905 exports, highlighting the country’s strong petrochemical production base.
HS Code Product Description Value Weight Quantity Frequency Value Ratio
290511 Acyclic Alcohols; saturated monohydric, methanol (methyl alcohol) 2.09B 10.27B 9.82B 638.00 77.79%
290531 Acyclic Alcohols; acyclic, diols; ethylene glycol (ethanediol) 592.53M 1.18B 1.16B 928.00 22.08%
290532 Acyclic Alcohols; acyclic, diols; propylene glycol (propane-1, 2-diol) 880.82K 695.21K 696.61K 29.00 0.03%
290519 Acyclic Alcohols; saturated monohydric, n.e.c. in item no. 2905.1 738.53K 551.19K 442.00K 19.00 0.03%
290545 Acyclic Alcohols; polyhydric, glycerol 698.21K 480.75K 398.05K 28.00 0.03%

Check Detailed HS Code 2905 Breakdown

Iran Acyclic Alcohols Export Network (Jan–Dec 2025)

HS‑2905: Acyclics & Saturated Acyclic Alcohols – Main Destinations

Iran’s exports of Acyclic Alcohols (HS 2905) are highly concentrated in Asia, led by China (86.8% value share, 89.2% weight), India (10.1% value), Bangladesh (0.8%), and Russia (0.6%).

The dominance of China signals a strong dependency on a single processing and manufacturing hub, while the minimal share for India suggests a narrower, possibly specialty-grade demand. Notably, a small volume is recorded for “Iran,” which represents returned goods or re-imports, likely tied to bonded-zone logistics or quality-control returns.

Sub‑HS 290511: Saturated Monohydric Acyclic Alcohols

For sub-HS 290511, the main importers are China ($1.80B, 8.71B kg), India ($271.64M, 1.06B kg), Turkey ($6.47M), Iraq ($5.81M), and Iran ($4.14M, returned goods).

China’s overwhelming weight and value shares point to bulk procurement for its massive chemical and detergent manufacturing base. India’s significant volume but lower value share suggests it imports for cost-sensitive industrial processing. Turkey and Iraq appear as smaller, regular regional buyers, likely for local industrial consumption or redistribution.

Sub‑HS 290531: Propane‑1,2‑diol (Propylene Glycol)

For sub-HS 290531, primary destinations are China ($530.45M, 1.09B kg), Bangladesh ($20.39M), Russia ($16.87M), Azerbaijan ($9.91M), and Uzbekistan ($7.00M).

China again is the core market, absorbing high volumes for its antifreeze, unsaturated polyester resin, and food/pharma sectors. Bangladesh’s order, though small in frequency, represents a notable bulk shipment for its textile or pharmaceutical auxiliary industries.

Furthermore, Russia, Azerbaijan, and Uzbekistan show frequent, smaller-lot shipments, indicative of JIT replenishment for regional manufacturing or antifreeze blending.

Sub‑HS 290532: Propane‑1,3‑diol

For sub-HS 290532, key buyers are Turkey ($692.77K), Russia ($82.36K), Afghanistan ($42.38K), Iraq ($27.61K), and Uzbekistan ($24.36K). Turkey leads this niche segment, likely for specialty polymer or cosmetic applications.

The very low volumes and values across all destinations, including Russia and Afghanistan, indicate this is a low-tonnage, high-value specialty chemical, traded in small lots for R&D or specific formulation needs in neighboring markets.

Table: Iran Acyclic Alcohols Top Destination Countries (Source: yTrade)

  • China Mainland is the dominant destination, importing $1.80B of methanol (HS 290511) with 8.71B quantity and 275 shipments, accounting for the majority of Iran’s acyclic alcohol exports. China is a major consumer of methanol for petrochemical and plastics production.
  • India ranks second, importing $271.64M of methanol, reflecting strong demand for chemical feedstocks used in industrial and energy applications.
  • Turkey, Iraq, and Iran (domestic trade records) appear as smaller destinations for methanol exports, each importing between $4M–$6M in value.
  • For ethylene glycol (HS 290531), China again leads with $530.45M in imports, followed by Bangladesh ($20.39M), Russia ($16.87M), Azerbaijan ($9.91M), and Uzbekistan ($7.00M).
  • Propylene glycol (HS 290532) exports are relatively small, with Turkey, Russia, Afghanistan, Iraq, and Uzbekistan importing minor volumes, each below $1M in value.

Get Iran Acyclic Alcohols (HS Code 2905) Complete Destination Countries Profile

Export Acyclic Alcohols In Iran Market Is Highly Consolidated Among A Few Major Shippers

The supplier base is dominated by repeat, large-volume shippers, which accounted for over 99.9% of export value in 2025. The remaining three styles, infrequent bulk shippers, frequent small-lot shippers, and occasional shippers, collectively represent less than 0.1% of the market’s value. This extreme skew indicates a significant concentration risk.

This structure means sourcing strategy should focus on deepening relationships with the few core suppliers, ensuring contract discipline and consistent quality documentation.

yTrade’s supplier list includes: KIMIA SANAT FERDOWS, KIMIA PARS MIDDLE EAST, INTERNATIONAL TRADE MANAGEMENT DANA SEPAND, YOUNIS FARHI.

  • Formalize long-term agreements with top suppliers to secure capacity.
  • Implement rigorous quality control and documentation audits for all shipments.

Table: Iran Acyclic Alcohols (HS Code 2905) Top Suppliers List (Source: yTrade)

  • Zagros Petrochemical is the largest supplier in the dataset, exporting $387.76M worth of acyclic alcohols with 2.01B quantity, 53 shipments, and 2.01B kg traded. The company is one of the largest methanol producers in the world, with significant production capacity in Iran’s South Pars energy zone.
  • Bushehr Petrochemical ranks second, supplying $303.54M in export value, supported by 1.15B quantity, 38 shipment records, and 1.15B kg traded, reflecting strong production capacity within Iran’s petrochemical sector.
  • Kimia Pars Middle East records $251.20M in export value, with 1.26B quantity, 43 shipments, and 1.26B kg traded, highlighting its role as a major methanol-producing complex in Iran’s petrochemical industry.
  • Marjan Petrochemical Company also appears among the top suppliers in the dataset, representing another key producer within Iran’s expanding methanol and petrochemical export network.
HS Code Country Value Quantity Frequency Weight
290511 CHINA MAINLAND 1.80B 8.71B 275.00 9.10B
INDIA 271.64M 1.06B 44.00 1.10B
TURKEY 6.47M 21.01M 26.00 19.66M
IRAQ 5.81M 13.24M 258.00 18.92M
IRAN 4.14M 21.57M 2.00 21.57M
290531 CHINA MAINLAND 530.45M 1.09B 49.00 1.10B
BANGLADESH 20.39M 25.94M 2.00 25.94M
RUSSIA 16.87M 17.18M 276.00 19.99M
AZERBAIJAN 9.91M 2.59M 74.00 2.59M
UZBEKISTAN 7.00M 9.68M 216.00 10.24M
290532 TURKEY 692.77K 512.26K 16.00 512.26K
RUSSIA 82.36K 43.00K 2.00 43.00K
AFGHANISTAN 42.38K 31.82K 3.00 31.82K
IRAQ 27.61K 48.59K 2.00 48.59K
UZBEKISTAN 24.36K 48.40K 2.00 47.00K

Check Full Iran Acyclic Alcohols Suppliers list

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: How much Acyclic Alcohols did Iran Export in 2025 (HS Code 2905)?

A: According to the yTrade customs database, Iran Acyclic Alcohols Export under HS Code 2905 totaled $2.68B across 1.68K shipments in 2025.

Q: What is the HS Code 2905 breakdown for Iran Acyclic Alcohols Export?

A: Iran’s exports were dominated by saturated monohydric methanol (290511) at 78% ($2.09B) and ethylene glycol (290531) at 22% ($592.53M).

Q: Who are the main partners for Iran Acyclic Alcohols Export (HS Code 2905)?

A: China was the top destination (86.8% value share), followed by India (10.1%) and Bangladesh (0.8%).

Q: Why does the unit price differ across partners in Iran Acyclic Alcohols Export?

A: Price differences stem from the sub-code mix, with bulk-grade methanol (290511) and ethylene glycol (290531) driving most trade volume.

Q: How to verify a Acyclic Alcohols Exporter in Iran?

A: Check for consistent shipment frequency; confirm HS Code 2905 and sub-code alignment; validate recurring trade with China or other key partners.

Q: How is Acyclic Alcohols typically used in this trade flow?

A: Bulk industrial Acyclic Alcohols like methanol and ethylene glycol are used in chemical manufacturing, antifreeze production, and textile processing.

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Sophia

yTrade contributor

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