🇬🇧 United Kingdom imports of medicinal plants: 2024 trade data
The United Kingdom imported $119.2 million of medicinal plants in 2024 (17.7 thousand tonnes). Its share of world imports was 3%. That is 13% more than in 2023. Across 2017-2024 the long-run trend was broadly stable.
Public statistics, latest reported year 2024. Values in US dollars.
Imports of medicinal plants by year, 2017-2024
Hover or tap a year for detail.
Year by year
| Year | Value | Quantity |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $119.2M | 17.7K t |
| 2023 | $105.1M | 16.7K t |
| 2022 | $98.6M | 17.6K t |
| 2021 | $93.9M | 15.6K t |
| 2020 | $85.8M | 15.2K t |
| 2019 | $86.8M | 20.7K t |
| 2018 | $106.8M | 25.3K t |
| 2017 | $82.2M | 18.6K t |
Where the United Kingdom imports medicinal plants from
Most of the value came from India (15%), Germany (10%), Spain (9%). Trade is spread widely: the top three suppliers together make up only 35%. Among the main suppliers, Canada grew fastest (+863% on the year before).
| Supplier country | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| 🇮🇳 India | $18.3M | 15% |
| 🇩🇪 Germany | $11.7M | 9.8% |
| 🇪🇸 Spain | $11.2M | 9.4% |
| 🇰🇪 Kenya | $8.7M | 7.3% |
| 🇮🇱 Israel | $8.1M | 6.8% |
| 🇨🇳 China | $7.5M | 6.3% |
| 🇫🇷 France | $5.3M | 4.4% |
| 🇪🇬 Egypt | $5.2M | 4.4% |
| 🇨🇦 Canada | $4.7M | 4% |
| 🇹🇷 Turkey | $4.7M | 3.9% |
Types of medicinal plants under HS 1211
| 1211.90 | Plants and parts (including seeds and fruits) n.e.c. in heading no. 1211, of a kind used primarily in perfumery, in pharmacy or for insecticidal… | 99% |
| 1211.20 | Ginseng roots, of a kind used primarily in perfumery, in pharmacy or for insecticidal, fungicidal or similar purposes, fresh, chilled, frozen or… | 0.5% |
| 1211.40 | Poppy straw: of a kind used primarily in perfumery, in pharmacy or for insecticidal, fungicidal or similar purposes, fresh, chilled, frozen or dried… | 0.1% |
| 1211.50 | Ephedra, of a kind used primarily in perfumery, in pharmacy or for insecticidal, fungicidal or similar purposes, fresh, chilled, frozen or dried… | 0% |
| 1211.30 | Coca leaf: of a kind used primarily in perfumery, in pharmacy or for insecticidal, fungicidal or similar purposes, fresh, chilled, frozen or dried… | 0% |
Codes and full descriptions: HS heading 1211.
Average import price of medicinal plants
The average declared value was about $6.75 per kg, 73% above the world average of $3.90. 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.
The United Kingdom also exports medicinal plants
In 2024, the United Kingdom exported medicinal plants worth $13.5 million (784 tonnes). Most of it went to United States (21%), Ireland (16%), Portugal (14%). Among the main buyer markets, Spain grew fastest (+207% on the year before).
| Destination | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| 🇺🇸 United States | $2.8M | 21% |
| 🇮🇪 Ireland | $2.1M | 16% |
| 🇵🇹 Portugal | $1.9M | 14% |
| 🇨🇦 Canada | $908K | 6.7% |
| 🇳🇱 Netherlands | $881K | 6.5% |
| 🇩🇪 Germany | $728K | 5.4% |
| 🇦🇺 Australia | $505K | 3.8% |
| 🇹🇹 Trinidad and Tobago | $387K | 2.9% |
| 🇪🇸 Spain | $380K | 2.8% |
| 🇧🇷 Brazil | $248K | 1.8% |
Who is behind these numbers in the United Kingdom?
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.
Direct customs feed: shipment-level records from the official customs source.
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 1211: Plants and parts of plants (including seeds and fruits), of a kind used primarily in perfumery, in pharmacy or for insecticidal, fungicidal or similar purposes, fresh, chilled, frozen or dried, whether or not cut, crushed or powdered.
Medicinal plants trade in the United Kingdom: questions
What is the value of medicinal plants imported by the United Kingdom?
The United Kingdom imported medicinal plants worth $119.2 million in 2024 (17.7 thousand tonnes).
Where does the United Kingdom import medicinal plants from?
The main supplier countries in 2024 were India (15%), Germany (10%), Spain (9%).
What is the average import price of medicinal plants in the United Kingdom?
The average declared import value was about $6.75 per kg in 2024, against a world average of $3.90 per kg.
Does the United Kingdom export medicinal plants?
Yes. The United Kingdom exported medicinal plants worth $13.5 million in 2024, mainly to United States, Ireland, Portugal.
What is the HS code for medicinal plants?
Medicinal plants falls under HS heading 1211 (Plants and parts of plants (including seeds and fruits), of a kind used primarily in perfumery, in pharmacy or for insec). The six-digit codes under it split the product by type.
How can I find the companies trading medicinal plants with the United Kingdom?
These public statistics stop at country level. EximDataX has a direct customs feed for the United Kingdom with shipment-level records, updated weekly, where you can see the importers and exporters by name.
Medicinal plants trade in other countries
More trade data for the United Kingdom
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