🇦🇪 United Arab Emirates imports of synthetic tow: 2024 trade data
Imports of synthetic tow by the United Arab Emirates reached $5.4 million in 2024 (3.2 thousand tonnes). Its share of world imports was 1%. Value rose 14% on 2023. Over 2017-2024 the trade grew strongly, by about 28% a year on average. The peak in this period was 2022, at $45.0 million.
Public statistics, latest reported year 2024. Values in US dollars.
Imports of synthetic tow by year, 2017-2024
Hover or tap a year for detail.
Year by year
| Year | Value | Quantity |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $5.4M | 3.2K t |
| 2023 | $4.7M | 2.1K t |
| 2022 | $45.0M | 17.8K t |
| 2021 | $5.9M | 2.2K t |
| 2020 | $5.6M | 3.4K t |
| 2019 | $3.4M | 1.7K t |
| 2018 | $4.9M | 2.2K t |
| 2017 | $981K | 433 t |
Where the United Arab Emirates imports synthetic tow from
China alone supplied 82% of it. Among the main suppliers, China grew fastest (+129% on the year before).
| Supplier country | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| 🇨🇳 China | $4.5M | 83% |
| 🇮🇳 India | $474K | 8.8% |
| 🇰🇷 South Korea | $180K | 3.3% |
| 🇵🇹 Portugal | $86K | 1.6% |
| 🇸🇦 Saudi Arabia | $72K | 1.3% |
| 🇹🇭 Thailand | $43K | 0.8% |
| 🇧🇷 Brazil | $22K | 0.4% |
| 🇮🇩 Indonesia | $18K | 0.3% |
| 🇪🇸 Spain | $15K | 0.3% |
| 🇮🇹 Italy | $10K | 0.2% |
Types of synthetic tow under HS 5501
| 5501.30 | Fibres: synthetic filament tow, acrylic or modacrylic | 96% |
| 5501.20 | Fibres: synthetic filament tow, of polyesters | 2.4% |
| 5501.10 | Fibres: synthetic filament tow, of nylon or other polyamides | 0.6% |
| 5501.90 | Fibres: synthetic filament tow, of synthetic materials n.e.c. in heading no. 5501 | 0.5% |
| 5501.40 | Fibres: synthetic filament tow, of polypropylene | 0.2% |
Codes and full descriptions: HS heading 5501.
Average import price of synthetic tow
The average declared value was about $1.69 per kg, 46% below the world average of $3.14, 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.
The United Arab Emirates also exports synthetic tow
In 2024, the United Arab Emirates exported synthetic tow worth $3.1 million (890 tonnes). One buyer market dominates: Zambia accounted for 79% of the value.
| Destination | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| 🇿🇲 Zambia | $2.4M | 79% |
| 🇵🇰 Pakistan | $651K | 21% |
| 🇬🇧 United Kingdom | $5K | 0.2% |
| 🇪🇸 Spain | $2K | 0.1% |
| 🇫🇷 France | $2K | 0.1% |
| 🇸🇦 Saudi Arabia | $0K | 0% |
| 🇹🇭 Thailand | $0K | 0% |
| 🇰🇪 Kenya | $0K | 0% |
| 🇳🇱 Netherlands | $0K | 0% |
| 🇱🇰 Sri Lanka | $0K | 0% |
Who is behind these numbers in the United Arab Emirates?
Public statistics stop at country totals and the last published year. EximDataX shows the shipment records underneath: the companies, dates, quantities and declared values, updated weekly.
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.
Updated weekly on EximDataX (some markets daily), while public statistics stop at 2024.
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 5501: Synthetic filament tow.
Synthetic tow trade in the United Arab Emirates: questions
What is the value of synthetic tow imported by the United Arab Emirates?
The United Arab Emirates imported synthetic tow worth $5.4 million in 2024 (3.2 thousand tonnes).
Where does the United Arab Emirates import synthetic tow from?
The main supplier countries in 2024 were China (82%), India (9%), South Korea (3%).
What is the average import price of synthetic tow in the United Arab Emirates?
The average declared import value was about $1.69 per kg in 2024, against a world average of $3.14 per kg.
Does the United Arab Emirates export synthetic tow?
Yes. The United Arab Emirates exported synthetic tow worth $3.1 million in 2024, mainly to Zambia, Pakistan, United Kingdom.
What is the HS code for synthetic tow?
Synthetic tow falls under HS heading 5501 (Synthetic filament tow). The six-digit codes under it split the product by type.
How can I find the companies trading synthetic tow with the United Arab Emirates?
These public statistics stop at country level. EximDataX builds the United Arab Emirates trade from the records of its trading partners, updated weekly, so you can see who ships this product there.
Synthetic tow trade in other countries
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