Plastic bottle imports in Ethiopia: data, top suppliers and prices
In 2024, Ethiopia imported plastic bottle worth $38.4 million (15.8 thousand tonnes). Value fell 13% from 2023. Over 2017-2024 the trade grew strongly, by about 10% a year on average. The peak in this period was 2020, at $55.3 million.
Public statistics, latest complete year (2024). Values in US dollars. Page updated .
Imports by year, 2017-2024
Hover or tap a year for detail.
Year by year
| Year | Value | Quantity |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $38.4M | 15.8K t |
| 2023 | $44.1M | 18.9K t |
| 2022 | $38.4M | 13.9K t |
| 2021 | $51.5M | 23.4K t |
| 2020 | $55.3M | 18.3K t |
| 2019 | $41.9M | 15.6K t |
| 2018 | $24.3M | 10.0K t |
| 2017 | $19.1M | 9.4K t |
Where Ethiopia imports plastic bottle from
Most of the value came from India (50%), China (32%), Kenya (6%). Among the main suppliers, Kenya grew fastest (+41% on the year before).
| Supplier country | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| India | $19.1M | 50% |
| China | $12.1M | 32% |
| Kenya | $2.2M | 5.7% |
| Egypt | $1.2M | 3.2% |
| France | $655K | 1.7% |
| Netherlands | $364K | 1% |
| Turkey | $362K | 0.9% |
| Saudi Arabia | $357K | 0.9% |
| Italy | $282K | 0.7% |
| Philippines | $267K | 0.7% |
Product types under HS 3923
| 3923.29 | Plastic bags (other polymers) | 55% |
| 3923.90 | Plastic packing articles (other) | 13% |
| 3923.21 | Polyethylene bags | 12% |
| 3923.50 | Plastic caps and closures | 7.7% |
| 3923.10 | Plastic packing cases | 5.9% |
| 3923.30 | Plastic bottles and carboys | 5.6% |
| 3923.40 | Plastic spools and bobbins | 1.4% |
Codes and full descriptions: HS heading 3923.
Average import price per kg
The average declared value was about $2.44 per kg, 37% below the world average of $3.90, which often means bulk or lower-grade product.
Declared value divided by weight, all 2024 shipments. Prices per shipment and per company are in EximDataX.
Plastic bottle exports from Ethiopia
Exports of plastic bottle by Ethiopia reached $255 thousand in 2024 (46 tonnes). One buyer market dominates: United States accounted for 79% of the value. Among the main buyer markets, Kenya grew fastest, more than tenfold on the year before.
| Destination | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| United States | $202K | 79% |
| Kenya | $32K | 13% |
| China | $9K | 3.4% |
| Hong Kong | $3K | 1.2% |
| Canada | $3K | 1% |
| France | $2K | 0.9% |
| Angola | $2K | 0.6% |
| Cote d'Ivoire | $1K | 0.4% |
| Austria | $1K | 0.3% |
| South Africa | $1K | 0.2% |
Who is behind these numbers in Ethiopia?
The shipment records behind Ethiopia plastic bottle imports (HS 3923): 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.
Direct customs feed: shipment-level records from the official customs source.
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 3923: Plastic articles for the conveyance or packing of goods; stoppers, lids, caps and other closures of plastics.
Common questions
What is the value of plastic bottle imported by Ethiopia?
Ethiopia imported plastic bottle worth $38.4 million in 2024, the latest year with complete public data, about 15.8 thousand tonnes. That ranks it 119th of 225 countries worldwide, with 0% of world imports. The value was down 13% on 2023.
Which countries supply plastic bottle to Ethiopia?
India was the largest supplier with 50% of the value ($19.1 million), followed by China (32%) and Kenya (6%). The top three together account for 87%, out of 35 supplier countries in total. France grew fastest among the top ten, up 44% on the year.
What is the average import price of plastic bottle per kg?
The average declared import value was about $2.44 per kg in 2024, 37% below the world average of $3.90 per kg. The figure blends every grade shipped, so it works as a reference point rather than a quote.
How have imports of plastic bottle to Ethiopia changed since 2017?
Imports went from $19.1 million in 2017 to $38.4 million in 2024, an increase of 101%. The peak was 2020 at $55.3 million. Over 8 years the average was $39.1 million a year.
Does Ethiopia also export plastic bottle?
Yes. Ethiopia exported $255 thousand worth of this product in 2024, mainly to the United States, Kenya and China. On balance Ethiopia is a net importer of this product, by about $38.2 million a year.
What is the HS code for plastic bottle?
The HS code for plastic bottle is heading 3923. In Ethiopia the largest six-digit codes were 3923.29 (55% of the value) and 3923.90 (13%).
How can I find the companies behind this trade?
EximDataX has a direct customs feed for Ethiopia, so the importers and exporters behind these totals are visible by name, shipment by shipment. Ask for a live look at your product.
Same product, other countries
Plastic bottle product types in Ethiopia
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