Synthetic tow trade by country: top importers, exporters and prices
World trade in synthetic tow was worth $934.8 million in 2024, about 297.8 thousand tonnes. That is a fall of 26% since 2017, and down 11% 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 | $934.8M | 297.8K t |
| 2023 | $1.05B | 324.5K t |
| 2022 | $1.49B | 443.3K t |
| 2021 | $1.38B | 402.5K t |
| 2020 | $1.07B | 392.5K t |
| 2019 | $1.32B | 440.7K t |
| 2018 | $1.40B | 463.3K t |
| 2017 | $1.26B | 465.4K t |
Top synthetic tow exporting countries
Japan is the largest exporter with 31% of world exports, followed by China and South Korea. The top three supply 54% between them, out of 91 exporting countries.
| Exporter | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Japan | $293.7M | 31% |
| China | $109.2M | 12% |
| South Korea | $102.2M | 11% |
| Thailand | $79.9M | 8.6% |
| United States | $77.4M | 8.3% |
| Turkey | $59.0M | 6.3% |
| Malaysia | $30.1M | 3.2% |
| Portugal | $29.1M | 3.1% |
| South Africa | $17.9M | 1.9% |
| Germany | $17.6M | 1.9% |
| France | $16.8M | 1.8% |
| Hungary | $15.2M | 1.6% |
Top importing countries and buyer markets
The largest importers are the United States (7%), Turkey (7%) and Japan (6%). 167 countries imported it, and the top three take 20% of the value.
| Importer | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| United States | $63.0M | 6.7% |
| Turkey | $61.7M | 6.6% |
| Japan | $59.5M | 6.4% |
| China | $55.3M | 5.9% |
| Indonesia | $51.3M | 5.5% |
| Kenya | $49.8M | 5.3% |
| Nigeria | $45.2M | 4.8% |
| Bangladesh | $43.7M | 4.7% |
| Germany | $42.8M | 4.6% |
| Senegal | $39.8M | 4.3% |
| Tanzania | $26.8M | 2.9% |
| Togo | $25.4M | 2.7% |
Average price per kg
The world average declared value was about $3.14 per kg in 2024. Among the main exporters, the United States averaged $10.60 per kg and Thailand $1.93 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?
Public statistics stop at country totals and the last published year. EximDataX shows the shipment records underneath: the companies, dates, quantities and declared values, updated weekly.
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 5501: Synthetic filament tow. HS 5501 codes.
Common questions
Which countries export the most synthetic tow?
Japan exported $293.7 million in 2024, 31% of the world total, followed by China (12%) and South Korea (11%). In all, 91 countries reported exports of this product. The full ranking and map are on this page.
Which countries import the most synthetic tow?
The United States imported $63.0 million in 2024, 7% of world imports, ahead of Turkey (7%) and Japan (6%). The top three importers together take 20%. Each country with its own page is linked from the table.
How big is the world trade in synthetic tow?
It was worth $934.8 million in 2024, about 297.8 thousand tonnes. That is a fall of 26% since 2017. The peak year was 2022 at $1.49 billion. 91 countries reported exports and 167 reported imports.
What is the average price of synthetic tow per kg?
The world average declared value was about $3.14 per kg in 2024. Among the main exporters, the United States averaged $10.60 per kg and Thailand $1.93 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 synthetic tow?
The HS code for synthetic tow is heading 5501, in chapter 55 (man-made staple fibres). Customs uses this code worldwide at the six-digit level; national tariffs add more digits. The full list of codes is on the HS 5501 page.
How can I find synthetic tow buyers and suppliers?
Public statistics stop at country totals. EximDataX shows the importers and exporters behind this trade from shipment-level customs records, updated weekly, with direct customs feeds and mirror data. Tell us your product and we will show you the latest records on a live call.
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