Market overview
The global butane market is worth USD 48.3 bn in 2026 and is forecast to reach USD 61.8 bn by 2036, growing at a 2.5% CAGR. China is the largest country market and Petrochemical feedstock is the largest by use segment.
| Scope | Butane in pure and iso-butane form sold as lighter and cooking fuel, gasoline blending component, aerosol propellant and petrochemical feedstock, valued at delivered prices paid by buyers. |
|---|---|
| Industry | Oil and Gas |
| Value 2025 | USD 47.6 bn |
| Value 2026 | USD 48.3 bn |
| Value 2036 | USD 61.8 bn |
| CAGR 2026-2036 | 2.5% |
| Volume 2026 | 85.4 million tonnes |
| Volume 2036 | 99.0 million tonnes |
| Average price 2026 | USD 566 per tonne |
| Report price | Starts from USD 1,999 |
| Published | November 2026 |
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Butane market size and forecast, 2026-2036
Source: Compare Market Research analysis.
© 2026 Compare Market Research. All rights reserved.
| Year | Market value |
|---|---|
| 2026 | USD 48.3 bn |
| 2027 | USD 49.5 bn |
| 2028 | USD 50.8 bn |
| 2029 | USD 52.0 bn |
| 2030 | USD 53.3 bn |
| 2031 | USD 54.7 bn |
| 2032 | USD 56.0 bn |
| 2033 | USD 57.4 bn |
| 2034 | USD 58.9 bn |
| 2035 | USD 60.3 bn |
| 2036 | USD 61.8 bn |
Butane market segmentation
By use
Source: Compare Market Research analysis.
© 2026 Compare Market Research. All rights reserved.
| Segment | Share 2026 | Share 2036 | Value 2026 | CAGR 2026-36 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gasoline blending | 26.0% | 23.7% | USD 12.6 bn | 1.6% |
| Petrochemical feedstock | 34.0% | 37.7% | USD 16.4 bn | 3.5% |
| Cooking and heating | 22.0% | 21.1% | USD 10.6 bn | 2.0% |
| Aerosols and refrigerants | 8.0% | 8.0% | USD 3.9 bn | 2.5% |
| Other | 10.0% | 9.6% | USD 4.8 bn | 2.0% |
By grade
Source: Compare Market Research analysis.
© 2026 Compare Market Research. All rights reserved.
| Segment | Share 2026 | Share 2036 | Value 2026 | CAGR 2026-36 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Normal butane | 58.0% | 55.0% | USD 28.0 bn | 1.9% |
| Iso-butane | 32.0% | 35.1% | USD 15.5 bn | 3.5% |
| Butane blends | 10.0% | 10.0% | USD 4.8 bn | 2.5% |
By source
| Segment | Share 2026 | Share 2036 | Value 2026 | CAGR 2026-36 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gas processing plants | 50.0% | 52.0% | USD 24.2 bn | 2.9% |
| Refineries | 38.0% | 35.9% | USD 18.4 bn | 1.9% |
| Fractionation of NGL streams | 12.0% | 12.1% | USD 5.8 bn | 2.6% |
By delivery form
| Segment | Share 2026 | Share 2036 | Value 2026 | CAGR 2026-36 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bulk tanker and pipeline | 64.0% | 61.0% | USD 30.9 bn | 2.0% |
| Bottled cylinders | 26.0% | 27.0% | USD 12.6 bn | 2.9% |
| Cartridges and canisters | 10.0% | 12.0% | USD 4.8 bn | 4.4% |
By sales channel
| Segment | Share 2026 | Share 2036 | Value 2026 | CAGR 2026-36 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Direct industrial contracts | 42.0% | 41.0% | USD 20.3 bn | 2.2% |
| Distributors | 38.0% | 38.0% | USD 18.4 bn | 2.5% |
| Retail and online | 20.0% | 21.0% | USD 9.7 bn | 3.0% |
Top 25 countries for butane by revenue
Countries are ranked by revenue earned from sales in the country, not by where the product is made. The ten largest hold 70.0% of 2026 revenue and the 25 countries below together hold 89.8%.
Source: Compare Market Research analysis.
© 2026 Compare Market Research. All rights reserved.
| # | Country | Value 2026 | Share 2026 | Value 2036 | CAGR 2026-36 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | China | USD 9.7 bn | 20.0% | USD 13.5 bn | 3.4% |
| 2 | United States | USD 7.7 bn | 16.0% | USD 9.3 bn | 1.9% |
| 3 | India | USD 3.9 bn | 8.0% | USD 5.9 bn | 4.4% |
| 4 | Japan | USD 2.4 bn | 5.0% | USD 2.5 bn | 0.5% |
| 5 | South Korea | USD 2.2 bn | 4.5% | USD 2.5 bn | 1.3% |
| 6 | Saudi Arabia | USD 1.9 bn | 4.0% | USD 2.5 bn | 2.5% |
| 7 | Brazil | USD 1.7 bn | 3.5% | USD 1.9 bn | 1.3% |
| 8 | Iran | USD 1.7 bn | 3.5% | USD 2.0 bn | 1.9% |
| 9 | Mexico | USD 1.4 bn | 3.0% | USD 1.7 bn | 1.4% |
| 10 | Indonesia | USD 1.2 bn | 2.5% | USD 1.6 bn | 2.9% |
| 11 | Russia | USD 1.2 bn | 2.4% | USD 1.3 bn | 1.2% |
| 12 | Turkey | USD 923 mn | 1.9% | USD 1.2 bn | 2.7% |
| 13 | Thailand | USD 802 mn | 1.7% | USD 1.0 bn | 2.7% |
| 14 | Egypt | USD 725 mn | 1.5% | USD 946 mn | 2.7% |
| 15 | Pakistan | USD 672 mn | 1.4% | USD 878 mn | 2.7% |
| 16 | Algeria | USD 628 mn | 1.3% | USD 823 mn | 2.7% |
| 17 | Argentina | USD 594 mn | 1.2% | USD 779 mn | 2.8% |
| 18 | Canada | USD 570 mn | 1.2% | USD 656 mn | 1.4% |
| 19 | Nigeria | USD 546 mn | 1.1% | USD 711 mn | 2.7% |
| 20 | United Arab Emirates | USD 527 mn | 1.1% | USD 686 mn | 2.7% |
| 21 | Spain | USD 507 mn | 1.1% | USD 588 mn | 1.5% |
| 22 | Vietnam | USD 493 mn | 1.0% | USD 643 mn | 2.7% |
| 23 | Iraq | USD 478 mn | 1.0% | USD 625 mn | 2.7% |
| 24 | Philippines | USD 469 mn | 1.0% | USD 612 mn | 2.7% |
| 25 | Kuwait | USD 454 mn | 0.9% | USD 594 mn | 2.7% |
| Rest of world | USD 4.9 bn | 10.2% | USD 6.2 bn | 2.4% |
Source: Compare Market Research analysis.
© 2026 Compare Market Research. All rights reserved.
Competitive landscape
Group 1: Global leaders
- Saudi Aramco
- Enterprise Products Partners
- ExxonMobil
- Shell
- ADNOC
- QatarEnergy
Group 2: Regional and specialist players
- Sinopec
- Indian Oil Corporation
- Targa Resources
- Phillips 66
- Energy Transfer
- ONEOK
- Marathon Petroleum
- Vitol
Group 3: Emerging and niche players
- Ferrellgas
- Suburban Propane
- Petredec
Research methodology
Every figure on this page comes from the research framework that we apply to all of the markets we cover. The 2025 base for the butane market is built from the volume sold and the price that buyers pay, and is cross-checked against the size of the wider industry the market belongs to. Where a market can be sized in more than one way, the routes are compared before a figure is set.
The forecast runs year by year from the 2025 base to 2036. Growth in each year reflects demand from the industries that buy the product, adoption of new technology, pricing, regulation and replacement cycles. Volume and price are modelled together, so revenue in each year equals volume multiplied by average price. The 2026 to 2036 compound annual growth rate of 2.5% is calculated from the resulting values.
The market is divided by use, by grade, by source, by delivery form, by sales channel. The 25 largest countries are ranked by revenue earned from sales to buyers in each country, not by where the product is made. Segment values and country values add up to the market total in every year, and every report is checked for consistency before it is published.
Companies are placed in three groups: global leaders, regional and specialist players, and emerging and niche players. The groups describe how companies compete in the market. They are not a ranking and they are not market shares.
Our analysts also carry out primary research. Customized reports add interviews with key opinion leaders, such as senior executives, technical specialists and buyers, to test the assumptions behind the numbers for the question being asked.
Frequently asked questions
How big is the butane market?
The global butane market is estimated at USD 47.6 bn in 2025 and USD 48.3 bn in 2026.
How fast will the butane market grow?
It is forecast to reach USD 61.8 bn by 2036, a compound annual growth rate of 2.5% from 2026, an increase of USD 13.5 bn.
Which country is the largest market for butane?
China is the largest market by revenue at USD 9.7 bn in 2026, 20.0% of the global total. The three largest countries together hold 44.0%.
Which country is growing fastest?
Among the ten largest markets, India is growing fastest at 4.4% a year from 2026 to 2036.
Which butane segment is largest?
In the by use split, Petrochemical feedstock is the largest segment with 34.0% of 2026 revenue.
Who are the leading butane companies?
Global leaders include Saudi Aramco, Enterprise Products Partners, ExxonMobil, Shell.
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