Plastic waste exports from Ghana: data, top buyers and prices
In 2024, Ghana exported plastic waste worth $3.4 million (4.6 thousand tonnes). That is close to the 2023 level. Over 2017-2024 the trade grew strongly, by about 27% a year on average. The peak in this period was 2022, at $5.5 million.
Public statistics, latest complete year (2024). Values in US dollars. Page updated .
Exports by year, 2017-2024
Hover or tap a year for detail.
Year by year
| Year | Value | Quantity |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $3.4M | 4.6K t |
| 2023 | $3.5M | 6.7K t |
| 2022 | $5.5M | 8.2K t |
| 2021 | $2.8M | 7.5K t |
| 2020 | $1.0M | 2.7K t |
| 2019 | $156K | 415 t |
| 2018 | $212K | 450 t |
| 2017 | $642K | 1.5K t |
Where Ghana exports plastic waste to
Most of it went to Italy (39%), Nigeria (13%), Spain (12%). Among the main buyer markets, Thailand grew fastest (+93% on the year before).
| Destination | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Italy | $1.3M | 39% |
| Nigeria | $449K | 13% |
| Spain | $394K | 12% |
| United States | $393K | 12% |
| Portugal | $288K | 8.5% |
| United Kingdom | $160K | 4.7% |
| Thailand | $101K | 3% |
| Egypt | $66K | 2% |
| Turkey | $65K | 1.9% |
| Latvia | $51K | 1.5% |
Product types under HS 3915
| 3915.90 | Plastic waste (other) | 89% |
| 3915.10 | Polyethylene scrap | 10% |
| 3915.20 | Polystyrene scrap | 0.5% |
| 3915.30 | Polyvinyl chloride scrap | 0.3% |
Codes and full descriptions: HS heading 3915.
Average export price per kg
The average declared value was about $0.75 per kg, 79% above the world average of $0.42. This usually points to higher-grade or processed goods.
Declared value divided by weight, all 2024 shipments. Prices per shipment and per company are in EximDataX.
Plastic waste imports to Ghana
In 2024, Ghana imported plastic waste worth $2.1 million (5.7 thousand tonnes). Most of the value came from Malaysia (45%), Philippines (30%), China (9%). Among the main suppliers, Malaysia grew fastest (+434% on the year before).
| Supplier country | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Malaysia | $951K | 45% |
| Philippines | $633K | 30% |
| China | $184K | 8.7% |
| Spain | $155K | 7.3% |
| Togo | $72K | 3.4% |
| Cote d'Ivoire | $58K | 2.7% |
| Burkina Faso | $25K | 1.2% |
| United States | $24K | 1.1% |
| Italy | $18K | 0.8% |
| France | $3K | 0.1% |
Who is behind these numbers in Ghana?
The shipment records behind Ghana plastic waste exports (HS 3915): companies, dates, quantities and declared values.
Shipment records are in the platform
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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 3915: Waste, parings and scrap, of plastics.
Common questions
What is the value of plastic waste exported by Ghana?
Ghana exported plastic waste worth $3.4 million in 2024, the latest year with complete public data, about 4.6 thousand tonnes. That ranks it 72nd of 178 countries worldwide, with 0% of world exports. The value was down 3% on 2023.
Which countries buy plastic waste from Ghana?
Italy was the largest buyer with 39% of the value ($1.3 million), followed by Nigeria (13%) and Spain (12%). The top three together account for 64%, out of 16 buyer countries in total. Thailand grew fastest among the top ten, up 93% on the year.
What is the average export price of plastic waste per kg?
The average declared export value was about $0.75 per kg in 2024, 79% above the world average of $0.42 per kg. Because it averages all grades and sizes, treat the figure as a market benchmark, not a price offer.
How have exports of plastic waste from Ghana changed since 2017?
Exports went from $642 thousand in 2017 to $3.4 million in 2024, an increase of 430%. The peak was 2022 at $5.5 million. Over 8 years the average was $2.2 million a year.
Does Ghana also import plastic waste?
Yes. Ghana imported $2.1 million worth of this product in 2024, mainly from Malaysia, the Philippines and China. On balance Ghana is a net exporter of this product, by about $1.3 million a year.
What is the HS code for plastic waste?
The HS code for plastic waste is heading 3915. In Ghana the largest six-digit codes were 3915.90 (89% of the value) and 3915.10 (10%).
How can I find the companies behind this trade?
EximDataX has a direct customs feed for Ghana, 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 waste product types in Ghana
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