Alginic acid and alginate salts imports in the United Kingdom: data, top suppliers and prices
In 2024, the United Kingdom imported alginic acid and alginate salts worth $15.7 million (3.1 thousand tonnes). That makes it the 8th largest importer of this product worldwide, out of 152 countries. That is 25% more than in 2023. Over 2017-2024 the trade grew strongly, by about 11% a year on average.
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 | $15.7M | 3.1K t |
| 2023 | $12.5M | 2.5K t |
| 2022 | $15.9M | 2.4K t |
| 2021 | $12.9M | 2.0K t |
| 2020 | $13.5M | 1.4K t |
| 2019 | $12.7M | 1.2K t |
| 2018 | $10.1M | 1.2K t |
| 2017 | $7.6M | 983 t |
Where the United Kingdom imports alginic acid and alginate salts from
Most of the value came from Poland (37%), Japan (31%), Chile (12%). Among the main suppliers, Japan grew fastest (+308% on the year before).
| Supplier country | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Poland | $5.7M | 37% |
| Japan | $4.8M | 31% |
| Chile | $1.9M | 12% |
| Spain | $1.0M | 6.7% |
| France | $781K | 5% |
| Netherlands | $535K | 3.4% |
| United States | $455K | 2.9% |
| South Africa | $152K | 1% |
| Italy | $113K | 0.7% |
| Germany | $65K | 0.4% |
Average import price per kg
The average declared value was about $5.04 per kg, 61% below the world average of $13.09, 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.
Alginic acid and alginate salts exports from the United Kingdom
Exports of alginic acid and alginate salts by the United Kingdom reached $7.6 million in 2024 (384 tonnes). Its share of world exports was 2%. Thailand alone took 54% of it.
| Destination | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Thailand | $4.1M | 54% |
| Netherlands | $1.3M | 17% |
| Canada | $714K | 9.3% |
| Ireland | $195K | 2.5% |
| Brazil | $143K | 1.9% |
| Finland | $134K | 1.8% |
| Czech Republic | $129K | 1.7% |
| United States | $108K | 1.4% |
| Pakistan | $84K | 1.1% |
| Australia | $77K | 1% |
Who is behind these numbers in the United Kingdom?
The shipment records behind United Kingdom alginic acid and alginate salts imports (HS 3913.10): companies, dates, quantities and declared values.
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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 3913.10: Polymers, natural: alginic acid, its salts and esters, in primary forms.
Common questions
What is the value of alginic acid and alginate salts imported by the United Kingdom?
The United Kingdom imported alginic acid and alginate salts worth $15.7 million in 2024, the latest year with complete public data, about 3.1 thousand tonnes. That ranks it 8th of 152 countries worldwide, with 4% of world imports. The value was up 25% on 2023.
Which countries supply alginic acid and alginate salts to the United Kingdom?
Poland was the largest supplier with 37% of the value ($5.7 million), followed by Japan (31%) and Chile (12%). The top three together account for 79%, out of 19 supplier countries in total. Japan grew fastest among the top ten, up 308% on the year.
What is the average import price of alginic acid and alginate salts per kg?
The average declared import value was about $5.04 per kg in 2024, 61% below the world average of $13.09 per kg. Declared value divided by weight mixes every grade, so read it as a benchmark rather than a quote.
How have imports of alginic acid and alginate salts to the United Kingdom changed since 2017?
Imports went from $7.6 million in 2017 to $15.7 million in 2024, an increase of 105%. The peak was 2022 at $15.9 million. Over 8 years the average was $12.6 million a year.
Does the United Kingdom also export alginic acid and alginate salts?
Yes. The United Kingdom exported $7.6 million worth of this product in 2024, mainly to Thailand, the Netherlands and Canada. On balance the United Kingdom is a net importer of this product, by about $8.0 million a year.
What is the HS code for alginic acid and alginate salts?
The HS code for alginic acid and alginate salts is subheading 3913.10. It sits in HS chapter 39 (plastics and articles thereof). The full list of codes and descriptions is on the HS 3913 page.
How can I find the companies behind this trade?
EximDataX has a direct customs feed for the United Kingdom, so the importers and exporters behind these totals are visible by name, shipment by shipment. Ask for a live look at your product.
Same product, other countries
World alginic acid and alginate salts trade: top importers and exporters
More trade data for the United Kingdom
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