China Hydrochloric Acid Exports Jump 87.2% in 2025

According to the latest customs statistics, China's hydrochloric acid (HCl) trade showed divergent trends in December and across full-year 2025, with imports declining while exports posted substantial growth.

In December 2025, China imported 757.8 tonnes of hydrochloric acid, representing a year-on-year decrease of 13.6%. The primary sources of imports were Taiwan, China, which supplied 539.0 tonnes and accounted for 71.1% of the total, and Japan, which provided 192.8 tonnes, representing 25.4%.

During the same month, China's hydrochloric acid exports reached 5,043.9 tonnes, surging 185.9% compared with the previous year. Indonesia remained the dominant export destination, importing 3,437.8 tonnes and accounting for 68.2% of total shipments. Guinea received 460.0 tonnes, or 9.1%, while Australia imported 224.8 tonnes, representing a 4.5% share.

For the full year from January to December 2025, China's cumulative hydrochloric acid imports totaled 8,108.0 tonnes, down 8.9% year on year. Taiwan, China, remained the leading supplier with 5,361.2 tonnes, accounting for 66.1% of total imports, followed by Japan with 2,551.1 tonnes, or 31.5%.

Over the same period, China exported 33,079.3 tonnes of hydrochloric acid, marking a significant 87.2% increase compared with the previous year. Indonesia ranked as the largest export market, importing 11,381.7 tonnes and accounting for 34.4% of total exports. Guinea followed with 4,244.6 tonnes, representing 12.8%, while Cambodia imported 4,024.0 tonnes, accounting for 12.2%.

The latest data highlight robust growth in China's hydrochloric acid exports in 2025, particularly to Southeast Asia and Africa, despite a moderate contraction in import volumes.