Carboxymethyl cellulose imports in Saudi Arabia: data, top suppliers and prices
In 2024, Saudi Arabia imported carboxymethyl cellulose worth $15.9 million (9.1 thousand tonnes). Its share of world imports was 1%. Value fell 23% from 2023. Across 2017-2024 the long-run trend was broadly stable. The peak in this period was 2022, at $22.5 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 | $15.9M | 9.1K t |
| 2023 | $20.7M | 4.8K t |
| 2022 | $22.5M | 7.8K t |
| 2021 | $8.9M | 4.8K t |
| 2020 | $7.1M | 4.1K t |
| 2019 | $14.5M | 9.4K t |
| 2018 | $15.8M | 9.6K t |
| 2017 | $10.4M | 7.0K t |
Where Saudi Arabia imports carboxymethyl cellulose from
The largest suppliers were Turkey (38%), China (26%), Finland (14%). Among the main suppliers, Germany grew fastest (+50% on the year before).
Average import price per kg
The average declared value was about $1.75 per kg, 48% below the world average of $3.39, 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.
Carboxymethyl cellulose exports from Saudi Arabia
Exports of carboxymethyl cellulose by Saudi Arabia reached $377 thousand in 2024 (272 tonnes). Kuwait alone took 58% of it. Among the main buyer markets, Kuwait grew fastest (+603% on the year before).
| Destination | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Kuwait | $219K | 58% |
| Jordan | $66K | 17% |
| Oman | $47K | 12% |
| Libya | $38K | 10% |
| United Arab Emirates | $9K | 2.3% |
Who is behind these numbers in Saudi Arabia?
The shipment records behind Saudi Arabia carboxymethyl cellulose imports (HS 3912.31): 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.
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 3912.31: Cellulose ethers: carboxymethylcellulose and its salts, in primary forms.
Common questions
What is the value of carboxymethyl cellulose imported by Saudi Arabia?
Saudi Arabia imported carboxymethyl cellulose worth $15.9 million in 2024, the latest year with complete public data, about 9.1 thousand tonnes. That ranks it 24th of 172 countries worldwide, with 1% of world imports. The value was down 23% on 2023.
Which countries supply carboxymethyl cellulose to Saudi Arabia?
Turkey was the largest supplier with 38% of the value ($6.1 million), followed by China (26%) and Finland (14%). The top three together account for 78%, out of 23 supplier countries in total. South Korea grew fastest among the top ten, up 498% on the year.
What is the average import price of carboxymethyl cellulose per kg?
The average declared import value was about $1.75 per kg in 2024, 48% below the world average of $3.39 per kg. Declared value divided by weight mixes every grade, so read it as a benchmark rather than a quote.
How have imports of carboxymethyl cellulose to Saudi Arabia changed since 2017?
Imports went from $10.4 million in 2017 to $15.9 million in 2024, an increase of 53%. The peak was 2022 at $22.5 million. Over 8 years the average was $14.5 million a year.
Does Saudi Arabia also export carboxymethyl cellulose?
Yes. Saudi Arabia exported $377 thousand worth of this product in 2024, mainly to Kuwait, Jordan and Oman. On balance Saudi Arabia is a net importer of this product, by about $15.6 million a year.
What is the HS code for carboxymethyl cellulose?
The HS code for carboxymethyl cellulose is subheading 3912.31. It sits in HS chapter 39 (plastics and articles thereof). The full list of codes and descriptions is on the HS 3912 page.
How can I find the companies behind this trade?
For Saudi Arabia, 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 carboxymethyl cellulose trade: top importers and exporters
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