Polyethylene imports in Nigeria: data, top suppliers and prices
In 2024, Nigeria imported polyethylene worth $488.5 million (432.2 thousand tonnes). Its share of world imports was 1%. That is 18% less than in 2023. Over 2017-2024 the trade grew strongly, by about 21% a year on average. The peak in this period was 2021, at $635.1 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 | $488.5M | 432.2K t |
| 2023 | $597.3M | 446.2K t |
| 2022 | $523.5M | 337.8K t |
| 2021 | $635.1M | 320.3K t |
| 2020 | $204.2M | 199.6K t |
| 2019 | $196.3M | 178.3K t |
| 2018 | $165.9M | 126.2K t |
| 2017 | $125.3M | 100.8K t |
Where Nigeria imports polyethylene from
The largest suppliers were United States (24%), Saudi Arabia (18%), Qatar (14%). Among the main suppliers, Spain grew fastest (+206% on the year before).
| Supplier country | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| United States | $119.4M | 24% |
| Saudi Arabia | $87.6M | 18% |
| Qatar | $68.9M | 14% |
| China | $62.1M | 13% |
| South Korea | $59.5M | 12% |
| United Arab Emirates | $14.8M | 3% |
| India | $12.2M | 2.5% |
| Germany | $11.9M | 2.4% |
| Thailand | $11.7M | 2.4% |
| Spain | $7.5M | 1.5% |
Product types under HS 3901
| 3901.20 | High-density polyethylene | 43% |
| 3901.10 | Low-density polyethylene | 31% |
| 3901.40 | Ethylene-alpha-olefin copolymer | 14% |
| 3901.30 | Ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer | 8.1% |
| 3901.90 | Ethylene polymers (other) | 4.5% |
Codes and full descriptions: HS heading 3901.
Average import price per kg
The average declared value was about $1.13 per kg, close to the world average of $1.22.
Declared value divided by weight, all 2024 shipments. Prices per shipment and per company are in EximDataX.
Polyethylene exports from Nigeria
In 2024, Nigeria exported polyethylene worth $322 thousand (1.5 thousand tonnes). The largest buyer markets were India (43%), Dominican Republic (19%), Ghana (16%). Among the main buyer markets, Benin grew fastest, more than tenfold on the year before.
| Destination | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| India | $138K | 43% |
| Dominican Republic | $61K | 19% |
| Ghana | $51K | 16% |
| Benin | $31K | 9.7% |
| Niger | $21K | 6.6% |
| Mozambique | $8K | 2.4% |
| Togo | $7K | 2.2% |
| Canada | $2K | 0.7% |
| China | $1K | 0.4% |
| Brazil | $1K | 0.3% |
Who is behind these numbers in Nigeria?
The shipment records behind Nigeria polyethylene imports (HS 3901): 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 3901: Polymers of ethylene, in primary forms.
Common questions
What is the value of polyethylene imported by Nigeria?
Nigeria imported polyethylene worth $488.5 million in 2024, the latest year with complete public data, about 432.2 thousand tonnes. That ranks it 36th of 213 countries worldwide, with 1% of world imports. The value was down 18% on 2023.
Which countries supply polyethylene to Nigeria?
The United States was the largest supplier with 24% of the value ($119.4 million), followed by Saudi Arabia (18%) and Qatar (14%). The top three together account for 56%, out of 37 supplier countries in total. Spain grew fastest among the top ten, up 206% on the year.
What is the average import price of polyethylene per kg?
The average declared import value was about $1.13 per kg in 2024, 7% below the world average of $1.22 per kg. The figure blends every grade shipped, so it works as a reference point rather than a quote.
How have imports of polyethylene to Nigeria changed since 2017?
Imports went from $125.3 million in 2017 to $488.5 million in 2024, an increase of 290%. The peak was 2021 at $635.1 million. Over 8 years the average was $367.0 million a year.
Does Nigeria also export polyethylene?
Yes. Nigeria exported $322 thousand worth of this product in 2024, mainly to India, the Dominican Republic and Ghana. On balance Nigeria is a net importer of this product, by about $488.2 million a year.
What is the HS code for polyethylene?
The HS code for polyethylene is heading 3901. In Nigeria the largest six-digit codes were 3901.20 (42% of the value) and 3901.10 (31%).
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
Polyethylene product types in Nigeria
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