Cationic surfactant imports in Kuwait: data, top suppliers and prices
Imports of cationic surfactant by Kuwait reached $2.0 million in 2024 (340 tonnes). That is 543% more than in 2023. Over 2017-2024 it shrank by about 6% a year on average. The peak in this period was 2021, at $3.3 million.
Public statistics, latest complete year (2024). Values in US dollars. Page updated .
Imports by year, 2017-2024
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Year by year
| Year | Value | Quantity |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $2.0M | 340 t |
| 2023 | $316K | 113 t |
| 2022 | $1.0M | 307 t |
| 2021 | $3.3M | 461 t |
| 2020 | $1.1M | 212 t |
| 2019 | $898K | 217 t |
| 2018 | $1.1M | 278 t |
| 2017 | $3.1M | 567 t |
Where Kuwait imports cationic surfactant from
One supplier dominates: Mexico accounted for 64% of the value. Among the main suppliers, United States grew fastest, more than tenfold on the year before.
| Supplier country | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Mexico | $1.3M | 64% |
| China | $339K | 17% |
| United States | $297K | 15% |
| Germany | $57K | 2.8% |
| Italy | $12K | 0.6% |
| South Africa | $10K | 0.5% |
| India | $7K | 0.3% |
| United Kingdom | $7K | 0.3% |
| Pakistan | $6K | 0.3% |
| Thailand | $3K | 0.2% |
Average import price per kg
The average declared value was about $5.97 per kg, 139% above the world average of $2.50. 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.
Who is behind these numbers in Kuwait?
The shipment records behind Kuwait cationic surfactant imports (HS 3402.12): companies, dates, quantities and declared values.
Shipment records are in the platform
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Mirror data: built from the shipment records of the countries that trade with it.
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 3402.12: Organic surface-active agents: cationic (other than soap), whether or not put up for retail sale.
Common questions
What is the value of cationic surfactant imported by Kuwait?
Kuwait imported cationic surfactant worth $2.0 million in 2024, the latest year with complete public data, about 340 tonnes. That ranks it 55th of 183 countries worldwide, with 0% of world imports. The value was up 543% on 2023.
Which countries supply cationic surfactant to Kuwait?
Mexico was the largest supplier with 64% of the value ($1.3 million), followed by China (17%) and the United States (15%). The top three together account for 95%, out of 12 supplier countries in total. China grew fastest among the top ten, up 850% on the year.
What is the average import price of cationic surfactant per kg?
The average declared import value was about $5.97 per kg in 2024, 139% above the world average of $2.50 per kg. The figure blends every grade shipped, so it works as a reference point rather than a quote.
How have imports of cationic surfactant to Kuwait changed since 2017?
Imports went from $3.1 million in 2017 to $2.0 million in 2024, a fall of 34%. The peak was 2021 at $3.3 million. Over 8 years the average was $1.6 million a year.
What is the HS code for cationic surfactant?
The HS code for cationic surfactant is subheading 3402.12. It sits in HS chapter 34 (soap, organic surface-active agents; washing, lubricating, polishing or scouring preparations; artificial or prepared waxes, candles and similar articles, modelling pastes, dental waxes and dental preparations with a basis of plaster). The full list of codes and descriptions is on the HS 3402 page.
How can I find the companies behind this trade?
For Kuwait, EximDataX reads the shipment records of the countries that trade with it and shows the companies on both sides. We can walk you through your product on a short call.
Same product, other countries
World cationic surfactant trade: top importers and exporters
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