Plastic waste exports from Nigeria: data, top buyers and prices
Nigeria exported $21.4 million of plastic waste in 2024 (34.4 thousand tonnes). Its share of world exports was 1%. Value rose 57% on 2023. Over 2017-2024 the trade grew strongly, by about 9% a year on average.
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 | $21.4M | 34.4K t |
| 2023 | $13.6M | 25.1K t |
| 2022 | $21.5M | 29.4K t |
| 2021 | $9.9M | 18.0K t |
| 2020 | $4.1M | 8.5K t |
| 2019 | $4.9M | 7.4K t |
| 2018 | $7.7M | 12.1K t |
| 2017 | $11.7M | 19.5K t |
Where Nigeria exports plastic waste to
The largest buyer markets were United States (40%), United Kingdom (19%), Spain (14%). Among the main buyer markets, Germany grew fastest, more than tenfold on the year before.
| Destination | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| United States | $8.5M | 40% |
| United Kingdom | $4.1M | 19% |
| Spain | $3.1M | 14% |
| Turkey | $2.1M | 9.9% |
| Germany | $879K | 4.1% |
| Ireland | $709K | 3.3% |
| Vietnam | $482K | 2.3% |
| Thailand | $263K | 1.2% |
| Egypt | $263K | 1.2% |
| Portugal | $259K | 1.2% |
Product types under HS 3915
| 3915.90 | Plastic waste (other) | 73% |
| 3915.10 | Polyethylene scrap | 27% |
| 3915.20 | Polystyrene scrap | 0.1% |
Codes and full descriptions: HS heading 3915.
Average export price per kg
The average declared value was about $0.62 per kg, 48% 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 Nigeria
Nigeria imported $3.4 million of plastic waste in 2024 (4.5 thousand tonnes). Most of the value came from Thailand (43%), China (22%), Vietnam (17%).
| Supplier country | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Thailand | $1.5M | 43% |
| China | $739K | 22% |
| Vietnam | $565K | 17% |
| Ghana | $449K | 13% |
| Taiwan | $100K | 3% |
| India | $32K | 0.9% |
| Uganda | $20K | 0.6% |
| United States | $14K | 0.4% |
| Spain | $4K | 0.1% |
| United Kingdom | $3K | 0.1% |
Who is behind these numbers in Nigeria?
The shipment records behind Nigeria plastic waste exports (HS 3915): 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 3915: Waste, parings and scrap, of plastics.
Common questions
What is the value of plastic waste exported by Nigeria?
Nigeria exported plastic waste worth $21.4 million in 2024, the latest year with complete public data, about 34.4 thousand tonnes. That ranks it 30th of 178 countries worldwide, with 1% of world exports. The value was up 57% on 2023.
Which countries buy plastic waste from Nigeria?
The United States was the largest buyer with 40% of the value ($8.5 million), followed by the United Kingdom (19%) and Spain (14%). The top three together account for 73%, out of 30 buyer countries in total. Spain grew fastest among the top ten, up 174% on the year.
What is the average export price of plastic waste per kg?
The average declared export value was about $0.62 per kg in 2024, 48% 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 Nigeria changed since 2017?
Exports went from $11.7 million in 2017 to $21.4 million in 2024, an increase of 82%. The peak was 2022 at $21.5 million. Over 8 years the average was $11.9 million a year.
Does Nigeria also import plastic waste?
Yes. Nigeria imported $3.4 million worth of this product in 2024, mainly from Thailand, China and Vietnam. On balance Nigeria is a net exporter of this product, by about $18.0 million a year.
What is the HS code for plastic waste?
The HS code for plastic waste is heading 3915. In Nigeria the largest six-digit codes were 3915.90 (73% of the value) and 3915.10 (27%).
How can I find the companies behind this trade?
Shipment-level records for Nigeria reach EximDataX from a direct customs feed, with company names, dates and declared values. We can show them for your product on a short call.
Same product, other countries
Plastic waste product types in Nigeria
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