Ethylene exports from the United Kingdom: data, top buyers and prices
In 2024, the United Kingdom exported ethylene worth $515.6 million (423.0 thousand tonnes). That makes it the 4th largest exporter of this product worldwide, out of 61 countries. That is 8% more than in 2023. Over 2017-2024 it shrank by about 6% a year on average. The peak in this period was 2018, at $1.12 billion.
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 | $515.6M | 423.0K t |
| 2023 | $477.2M | 366.4K t |
| 2022 | $512.2M | 333.7K t |
| 2021 | $313.9M | 231.5K t |
| 2020 | $589.9M | 812.8K t |
| 2019 | $744.2M | 743.2K t |
| 2018 | $1.12B | 1.00M t |
| 2017 | $793.2M | 895.0K t |
Where the United Kingdom exports ethylene to
One buyer market dominates: Belgium accounted for 60% of the value. Among the main buyer markets, Netherlands grew fastest (+53% on the year before).
| Destination | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Belgium | $308.9M | 60% |
| Netherlands | $164.1M | 32% |
| Germany | $13.4M | 2.6% |
| Sweden | $12.1M | 2.4% |
| France | $11.8M | 2.3% |
| Italy | $5.1M | 1% |
| Brazil | $85K | 0% |
| Singapore | $81K | 0% |
| South Africa | $25K | 0% |
| United States | $11K | 0% |
Average export price per kg
The average declared value was about $1.22 per kg, 27% above the world average of $0.96. This usually points to higher-grade or processed goods.
Declared value divided by weight, all 2024 shipments. Prices per shipment and per company are in EximDataX.
Ethylene imports to the United Kingdom
The United Kingdom imported $1.3 million of ethylene in 2024 (375 tonnes). Czech Republic alone supplied 81% of it. Among the main suppliers, Czech Republic grew fastest (+68% on the year before).
| Supplier country | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Czech Republic | $1.0M | 81% |
| Germany | $131K | 10% |
| Belgium | $40K | 3.1% |
| Poland | $28K | 2.2% |
| United States | $24K | 1.9% |
| Netherlands | $11K | 0.9% |
| Spain | $7K | 0.5% |
| China | $0K | 0% |
| France | $0K | 0% |
Who is behind these numbers in the United Kingdom?
The shipment records behind United Kingdom ethylene exports (HS 2901.21): companies, dates, quantities and declared values.
Shipment records are in the platform
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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 2901.21: Acyclic hydrocarbons: unsaturated, ethylene.
Common questions
What is the value of ethylene exported by the United Kingdom?
The United Kingdom exported ethylene worth $515.6 million in 2024, the latest year with complete public data, about 423.0 thousand tonnes. That ranks it 4th of 61 countries worldwide, with 8% of world exports. The value was up 8% on 2023.
Which countries buy ethylene from the United Kingdom?
Belgium was the largest buyer with 60% of the value ($308.9 million), followed by the Netherlands (32%) and Germany (3%). The top three together account for 94%, out of 13 buyer countries in total. Singapore grew fastest among the top ten, up 725% on the year.
What is the average export price of ethylene per kg?
The average declared export value was about $1.22 per kg in 2024, 27% above the world average of $0.96 per kg. Because it averages all grades and sizes, treat the figure as a market benchmark, not a price offer.
How have exports of ethylene from the United Kingdom changed since 2017?
Exports went from $793.2 million in 2017 to $515.6 million in 2024, a fall of 35%. The peak was 2018 at $1.12 billion. Over 8 years the average was $632.9 million a year.
Does the United Kingdom also import ethylene?
Yes. The United Kingdom imported $1.3 million worth of this product in 2024, mainly from the Czech Republic, Germany and Belgium. On balance the United Kingdom is a net exporter of this product, by about $514.3 million a year.
What is the HS code for ethylene?
The HS code for ethylene is subheading 2901.21. It sits in HS chapter 29 (organic chemicals). The full list of codes and descriptions is on the HS 2901 page.
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 the United Kingdom. Tell us your product to see it live.
Same product, other countries
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