Plastic waste exports from Uganda: data, top buyers and prices
Exports of plastic waste by Uganda reached $8.2 million in 2024 (16.3 thousand tonnes). Value rose 9% on 2023. Over 2017-2024 the trade grew strongly, by about 17% 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 | $8.2M | 16.3K t |
| 2023 | $7.5M | 13.9K t |
| 2022 | $6.6M | 8.6K t |
| 2021 | $4.2M | 7.0K t |
| 2020 | $2.0M | 4.4K t |
| 2019 | $2.9M | 4.6K t |
| 2018 | $2.6M | 4.5K t |
| 2017 | $2.6M | 4.9K t |
Where Uganda exports plastic waste to
Vietnam alone took 54% of it. Among the main buyer markets, United Arab Emirates grew fastest, more than tenfold on the year before.
| Destination | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Vietnam | $4.4M | 54% |
| Pakistan | $805K | 9.9% |
| Kenya | $802K | 9.8% |
| Turkey | $671K | 8.2% |
| Belgium | $495K | 6.1% |
| United Arab Emirates | $375K | 4.6% |
| Indonesia | $147K | 1.8% |
| Ireland | $123K | 1.5% |
| Bulgaria | $122K | 1.5% |
| Malaysia | $67K | 0.8% |
Product types under HS 3915
| 3915.90 | Plastic waste (other) | 98% |
| 3915.10 | Polyethylene scrap | 2.2% |
Codes and full descriptions: HS heading 3915.
Average export price per kg
The average declared value was about $0.50 per kg, close to the world average of $0.42.
Declared value divided by weight, all 2024 shipments. Prices per shipment and per company are in EximDataX.
Plastic waste imports to Uganda
In 2024, Uganda imported plastic waste worth $2.6 million (5.1 thousand tonnes). The largest suppliers were China (43%), South Sudan (19%), Kenya (13%). Among the main suppliers, South Sudan grew fastest (+410% on the year before).
| Supplier country | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| China | $1.1M | 43% |
| South Sudan | $482K | 19% |
| Kenya | $326K | 13% |
| Japan | $182K | 7.1% |
| Mexico | $139K | 5.4% |
| Malaysia | $102K | 4% |
| Rwanda | $86K | 3.4% |
| South Korea | $52K | 2% |
| United Arab Emirates | $31K | 1.2% |
| Indonesia | $25K | 1% |
Who is behind these numbers in Uganda?
The shipment records behind Uganda 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 Uganda?
Uganda exported plastic waste worth $8.2 million in 2024, the latest year with complete public data, about 16.3 thousand tonnes. That ranks it 58th of 178 countries worldwide, with 0% of world exports. The value was up 9% on 2023.
Which countries buy plastic waste from Uganda?
Vietnam was the largest buyer with 54% of the value ($4.4 million), followed by Pakistan (10%) and Kenya (10%). The top three together account for 73%, out of 16 buyer countries in total. Kenya grew fastest among the top ten, up 544% on the year.
What is the average export price of plastic waste per kg?
The average declared export value was about $0.50 per kg in 2024, 19% 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 Uganda changed since 2017?
Exports went from $2.6 million in 2017 to $8.2 million in 2024, an increase of 208%. 2024 was the highest year in the period. Over 8 years the average was $4.6 million a year.
Does Uganda also import plastic waste?
Yes. Uganda imported $2.6 million worth of this product in 2024, mainly from China, South Sudan and Kenya. On balance Uganda is a net exporter of this product, by about $5.6 million a year.
What is the HS code for plastic waste?
The HS code for plastic waste is heading 3915. In Uganda the largest six-digit codes were 3915.90 (98% of the value) and 3915.10 (2%).
How can I find the companies behind this trade?
The totals here are public statistics; the company-level detail sits in EximDataX, which has a direct customs feed for Uganda. Tell us your product to see it live.
Same product, other countries
Plastic waste product types in Uganda
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