Ethylene trade by country: top importers, exporters and prices
World trade in ethylene was worth $6.35 billion in 2024, about 6.59 million tonnes. That is a fall of 15% since 2017, and down 1% on 2023.
Public statistics, latest complete year (2024). Values in US dollars. Page updated .
World trade by year, 2017-2024
Hover or tap a year for detail.
Year by year
| Year | Value | Quantity |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $6.35B | 6.59M t |
| 2023 | $6.41B | 6.67M t |
| 2022 | $8.01B | 7.02M t |
| 2021 | $6.81B | 6.48M t |
| 2020 | $5.02B | 6.76M t |
| 2019 | $6.97B | 7.48M t |
| 2018 | $8.83B | 7.46M t |
| 2017 | $7.48B | 7.16M t |
Top ethylene exporting countries
South Korea is the largest exporter with 25% of world exports, followed by the Netherlands and the United States. The top three supply 50% between them, out of 61 exporting countries.
| Exporter | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| South Korea | $1.58B | 25% |
| Netherlands | $937.7M | 15% |
| United States | $681.0M | 11% |
| United Kingdom | $515.6M | 8.1% |
| Japan | $426.5M | 6.7% |
| Singapore | $343.1M | 5.4% |
| Malaysia | $310.0M | 4.9% |
| Norway | $267.9M | 4.2% |
| Germany | $243.1M | 3.8% |
| Belgium | $237.0M | 3.7% |
| France | $155.4M | 2.5% |
| Libya | $105.6M | 1.7% |
Top importing countries and buyer markets
The largest importers are China (29%), Belgium (23%) and Indonesia (14%). 112 countries imported it, and the top three take 66% of the value.
| Importer | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| China | $1.84B | 29% |
| Belgium | $1.48B | 23% |
| Indonesia | $874.6M | 14% |
| Germany | $494.3M | 7.8% |
| Netherlands | $342.9M | 5.4% |
| Taiwan | $201.5M | 3.2% |
| Portugal | $149.0M | 2.4% |
| Sweden | $148.3M | 2.3% |
| Italy | $113.9M | 1.8% |
| France | $88.2M | 1.4% |
| Japan | $83.3M | 1.3% |
| Pakistan | $81.2M | 1.3% |
Average price per kg
The world average declared value was about $0.96 per kg in 2024. Among the main exporters, the United Kingdom averaged $1.22 per kg and Japan $0.83 per kg, so grade and origin matter.
Declared value divided by weight, all 2024 shipments worldwide. Prices per shipment and per company are in EximDataX.
Who is behind these numbers in this market?
The shipment records behind Ethylene (HS 2901.21) importers and exporters, worldwide: companies, dates, quantities and declared values.
Shipment records are in the platform
Tell us what you trade and we will show you the latest records on a live call.
Source: CEPII BACI (reconciled UN Comtrade data), HS 2017 edition, release 202601, Etalab Open Licence 2.0. Annual values in US dollars at the customs border; quantities in tonnes where reported. HS 2901.21: Acyclic hydrocarbons: unsaturated, ethylene. HS 2901 codes.
Common questions
Which countries export the most ethylene?
South Korea exported $1.58 billion in 2024, 25% of the world total, followed by the Netherlands (15%) and the United States (11%). In all, 61 countries reported exports of this product. The full ranking and map are on this page.
Which countries import the most ethylene?
China imported $1.84 billion in 2024, 29% of world imports, ahead of Belgium (23%) and Indonesia (14%). The top three importers together take 66%. Each country with its own page is linked from the table.
How big is the world trade in ethylene?
It was worth $6.35 billion in 2024, about 6.59 million tonnes. That is a fall of 15% since 2017. The peak year was 2018 at $8.83 billion. 61 countries reported exports and 112 reported imports.
What is the average price of ethylene per kg?
The world average declared value was about $0.96 per kg in 2024. Among the main exporters, the United Kingdom averaged $1.22 per kg and Japan $0.83 per kg, so grade and origin matter. It is total declared value divided by total weight, so treat it as a benchmark, not a quote.
What is the HS code for ethylene?
The HS code for ethylene is subheading 2901.21, in chapter 29 (organic chemicals). The first six digits are the same in every country; national tariffs add more. The full list of codes is on the HS 2901 page.
How can I find ethylene buyers and suppliers?
EximDataX shows the importers and exporters of ethylene by name, from shipment-level customs records updated weekly. Ask for a live look at the markets you sell to.
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