High-density polyethylene exports from the United Arab Emirates: data, top buyers and prices
In 2024, the United Arab Emirates exported high-density polyethylene worth $2.42 billion (2.34 million tonnes). It ranks 3rd of 139 countries for exports of this product. Value fell 5% from 2023. Across 2017-2024 the long-run trend was broadly stable.
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 | $2.42B | 2.34M t |
| 2023 | $2.54B | 2.22M t |
| 2022 | $2.93B | 2.43M t |
| 2021 | $2.71B | 2.16M t |
| 2020 | $1.87B | 2.02M t |
| 2019 | $1.92B | 1.81M t |
| 2018 | $2.32B | 1.75M t |
| 2017 | $2.06B | 1.71M t |
Where the United Arab Emirates exports high-density polyethylene to
One buyer market dominates: China accounted for 50% of the value. Among the main buyer markets, Malaysia grew fastest (+116% on the year before).
| Destination | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| China | $1.22B | 50% |
| India | $396.3M | 16% |
| Egypt | $176.0M | 7.3% |
| Malaysia | $94.2M | 3.9% |
| Pakistan | $57.3M | 2.4% |
| Tanzania | $49.6M | 2.1% |
| Saudi Arabia | $44.2M | 1.8% |
| Turkey | $39.7M | 1.6% |
| Indonesia | $36.2M | 1.5% |
| Israel | $26.2M | 1.1% |
Average export price per kg
The average declared value was about $1.04 per kg, close to the world average of $1.13.
Declared value divided by weight, all 2024 shipments. Prices per shipment and per company are in EximDataX.
High-density polyethylene imports to the United Arab Emirates
Imports of high-density polyethylene by the United Arab Emirates reached $276.3 million in 2024 (278.1 thousand tonnes). Its share of world imports was 1%. Saudi Arabia alone supplied 79% of it. Among the main suppliers, South Korea grew fastest (+68% on the year before).
| Supplier country | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Saudi Arabia | $218.2M | 79% |
| Kuwait | $22.8M | 8.3% |
| South Korea | $11.3M | 4.1% |
| United States | $7.0M | 2.5% |
| China | $5.8M | 2.1% |
| India | $4.8M | 1.7% |
| Turkey | $1.1M | 0.4% |
| Italy | $910K | 0.3% |
| Thailand | $869K | 0.3% |
| Malaysia | $649K | 0.2% |
Who is behind these numbers in the United Arab Emirates?
The shipment records behind United Arab Emirates high-density polyethylene exports (HS 3901.20): 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 3901.20: Ethylene polymers: in primary forms, polyethylene having a specific gravity of 0.94 or more.
Common questions
What is the value of high-density polyethylene exported by the United Arab Emirates?
The United Arab Emirates exported high-density polyethylene worth $2.42 billion in 2024, the latest year with complete public data, about 2.34 million tonnes. That ranks it 3rd of 139 countries worldwide, with 8% of world exports. The value was down 5% on 2023.
Which countries buy high-density polyethylene from the United Arab Emirates?
China was the largest buyer with 50% of the value ($1.22 billion), followed by India (16%) and Egypt (7%). The top three together account for 74%, out of 96 buyer countries in total. Malaysia grew fastest among the top ten, up 116% on the year.
What is the average export price of high-density polyethylene per kg?
The average declared export value was about $1.04 per kg in 2024, 8% below the world average of $1.13 per kg. Because it averages all grades and sizes, treat the figure as a market benchmark, not a price offer.
How have exports of high-density polyethylene from the United Arab Emirates changed since 2017?
Exports went from $2.06 billion in 2017 to $2.42 billion in 2024, an increase of 18%. The peak was 2022 at $2.93 billion. Over 8 years the average was $2.34 billion a year.
Does the United Arab Emirates also import high-density polyethylene?
Yes. The United Arab Emirates imported $276.3 million worth of this product in 2024, mainly from Saudi Arabia, Kuwait and South Korea. On balance the United Arab Emirates is a net exporter of this product, by about $2.14 billion a year.
What is the HS code for high-density polyethylene?
The HS code for high-density polyethylene is subheading 3901.20. It sits in HS chapter 39 (plastics and articles thereof). The full list of codes and descriptions is on the HS 3901 page.
How can I find the companies behind this trade?
The totals here are public statistics; EximDataX adds the company names by reading partner countries' customs records for the United Arab Emirates. Tell us your product to see it live.
Same product, other countries
World high-density polyethylene trade: top importers and exporters
More trade data for the United Arab Emirates
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