Based on the provided data, the import of sulphonated hydrocarbons to Belgium in 2023 stood at 8.5554 million kilograms. The trend from 2013 to 2023 demonstrates considerable fluctuations, with a notable increase in 2016, reaching a high year-on-year variation of 35.27%. While there were some negative variations, including in 2015 and 2020, the overall compound annual growth rate (CAGR) over the past five years up to 2023 is rather modest at 0.61%.
Examining the last two years, the year-on-year variation was 0.58% in both 2022 and 2023, suggesting that imports stabilized after the dip observed in 2020.
The forecast from 2024 to 2028 indicates a gradual increase, with the CAGR over the next five years projected at 0.47%. This projection suggests a slow but steady growth trend, bringing the forecasted volume to 8.8121 million kilograms by 2028, marking an overall growth rate of 2.36% over this period.
Future trends to watch for include potential policy shifts influencing international trade, advances in hydrocarbon processing technology, and fluctuations in global demand affecting Belgium's import patterns. Market dynamics, such as supply chain disruptions and changes in raw material costs, will also play a pivotal role.
