Expandable polystyrene beads imports in Saudi Arabia: data, top suppliers and prices
Imports of expandable polystyrene beads by Saudi Arabia reached $48.3 million in 2024 (33.0 thousand tonnes). Its share of world imports was 1%. That is 8% more than in 2023. Over 2017-2024 the trade grew strongly, by about 16% a year on average.
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 | $48.3M | 33.0K t |
| 2023 | $44.9M | 29.1K t |
| 2022 | $48.8M | 28.8K t |
| 2021 | $38.5M | 22.6K t |
| 2020 | $20.5M | 20.5K t |
| 2019 | $16.4M | 14.1K t |
| 2018 | $12.2M | 8.6K t |
| 2017 | $17.6M | 12.8K t |
Where Saudi Arabia imports expandable polystyrene beads from
One supplier dominates: China accounted for 56% of the value. Among the main suppliers, United Arab Emirates grew fastest (+243% on the year before).
| Supplier country | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| China | $27.1M | 56% |
| United Arab Emirates | $10.0M | 21% |
| Pakistan | $4.9M | 10% |
| Taiwan | $4.1M | 8.4% |
| Turkey | $1.5M | 3.2% |
| Germany | $228K | 0.5% |
| United Kingdom | $124K | 0.3% |
| United States | $108K | 0.2% |
| India | $79K | 0.2% |
| Bahrain | $52K | 0.1% |
Average import price per kg
The average declared value was about $1.46 per kg, close to the world average of $1.73.
Declared value divided by weight, all 2024 shipments. Prices per shipment and per company are in EximDataX.
Expandable polystyrene beads exports from Saudi Arabia
Exports of expandable polystyrene beads by Saudi Arabia reached $22.7 million in 2024 (14.8 thousand tonnes). Its share of world exports was 1%. One buyer market dominates: Egypt accounted for 62% of the value. Among the main buyer markets, Turkey grew fastest, more than tenfold on the year before.
Who is behind these numbers in Saudi Arabia?
The shipment records behind Saudi Arabia expandable polystyrene beads imports (HS 3903.11): 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 3903.11: Styrene polymers: expansible polystyrene, in primary forms.
Common questions
What is the value of expandable polystyrene beads imported by Saudi Arabia?
Saudi Arabia imported expandable polystyrene beads worth $48.3 million in 2024, the latest year with complete public data, about 33.0 thousand tonnes. That ranks it 24th of 173 countries worldwide, with 1% of world imports. The value was up 8% on 2023.
Which countries supply expandable polystyrene beads to Saudi Arabia?
China was the largest supplier with 56% of the value ($27.1 million), followed by the United Arab Emirates (21%) and Pakistan (10%). The top three together account for 87%, out of 18 supplier countries in total. Germany grew fastest among the top ten, up 952% on the year.
What is the average import price of expandable polystyrene beads per kg?
The average declared import value was about $1.46 per kg in 2024, 16% below the world average of $1.73 per kg. Declared value divided by weight mixes every grade, so read it as a benchmark rather than a quote.
How have imports of expandable polystyrene beads to Saudi Arabia changed since 2017?
Imports went from $17.6 million in 2017 to $48.3 million in 2024, an increase of 175%. The peak was 2022 at $48.8 million. Over 8 years the average was $30.9 million a year.
Does Saudi Arabia also export expandable polystyrene beads?
Yes. Saudi Arabia exported $22.7 million worth of this product in 2024, mainly to Egypt, Turkey and Algeria. On balance Saudi Arabia is a net importer of this product, by about $25.6 million a year.
What is the HS code for expandable polystyrene beads?
The HS code for expandable polystyrene beads is subheading 3903.11. It sits in HS chapter 39 (plastics and articles thereof). The full list of codes and descriptions is on the HS 3903 page.
How can I find the companies behind this trade?
EximDataX rebuilds Saudi Arabia trade from the customs records of its trading partners, so the companies shipping to and from it are visible. Ask for a live look at your product.
Same product, other countries
World expandable polystyrene beads trade: top importers and exporters
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