Trade Trends
Global exports of polyethylene with specific gravity below 0.94 totaled $23.39B in 2019. By 2023, the figure evolved to $22.44B, followed by a further decline to $20.86B in 2024. This reflects a 4.1% decrease between 2019 and 2023, a 10.8% decrease between 2019 and 2024, and a 7% drop from 2023 to 2024. All values are expressed in USD.
The downward trend over the five-year period suggests a shift in global polymer demand, likely influenced by recycling mandates, regional production shifts, and evolving packaging technologies. While traditional exporters maintained dominance, several smaller producers gained traction by targeting niche applications and expanding capacity in flexible film and injection molding grades.
Top Trading Countries
The five leading exporters of polyethylene (<0.94 specific gravity) in 2024 were:
- Saudi Arabia exported $4.63B in 2024 and $4.15B in 2019, showing an 11.6% increase. Saudi Arabia retained its top position.
- United States reached $3.99B in 2024 and $2.48B in 2019, up 60.8%. The United States remained second.
- Netherlands moved $1.26B in 2024 and $1.23B in 2019, up 2.4%. Netherlands climbed to third.
- Belgium recorded $1.24B in 2024 and $1.36B in 2019, a 9% decrease. Belgium held fourth place.
- Germany exported $1.16B in 2024 and $1.29B in 2019, a 10.3% decrease. Germany dropped to fifth.
The Netherlands overtook Germany in 2024 due to a modest increase in export value.
On the Rise
Several smaller countries showed consistent growth in polyethylene exports between 2019 and 2024:
- China expanded from $140M in 2019 to $367M in 2024, marking a 161.5% increase.
- Malaysia grew from $823M to $815M, a slight decrease of 1%, but sustained high export levels.
- Spain moved from $478M to $562M, up 17.6%.
- Canada rose from $532M to $571M, a 7.3% increase.
China’s growth was the most pronounced, reflecting its expanding polymer production base and rising competitiveness in regional markets.
Disclaimer
These insights are based on available trade data and may not represent the full market reality.
