Polyvinyl alcohol exports from the United Kingdom: data, top buyers and prices
The United Kingdom exported $48.9 million of polyvinyl alcohol in 2024 (8.8 thousand tonnes). That makes it the 8th largest exporter of this product worldwide, out of 88 countries. That is 11% more than in 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 | $48.9M | 8.8K t |
| 2023 | $44.0M | 7.4K t |
| 2022 | $59.7M | 9.1K t |
| 2021 | $53.2M | 9.8K t |
| 2020 | $43.2M | 9.7K t |
| 2019 | $40.7M | 9.8K t |
| 2018 | $41.9M | 10.2K t |
| 2017 | $40.1M | 10.1K t |
Where the United Kingdom exports polyvinyl alcohol to
The largest buyer markets were China (20%), Germany (14%), United States (9%). Trade is spread widely: the top three buyer markets together make up only 44%. Among the main buyer markets, Saudi Arabia grew fastest, more than tenfold on the year before.
| Destination | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| China | $10.0M | 21% |
| Germany | $6.9M | 14% |
| United States | $4.4M | 8.9% |
| India | $3.6M | 7.3% |
| Netherlands | $3.4M | 6.9% |
| France | $2.8M | 5.8% |
| Taiwan | $2.1M | 4.4% |
| Saudi Arabia | $2.1M | 4.3% |
| South Korea | $2.1M | 4.2% |
| Belgium | $1.5M | 3% |
Average export price per kg
The average declared value was about $5.57 per kg, 106% above the world average of $2.71. 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.
Polyvinyl alcohol imports to the United Kingdom
In 2024, the United Kingdom imported polyvinyl alcohol worth $24.6 million (7.8 thousand tonnes). Its share of world imports was 2%. Most of the value came from Germany (40%), Taiwan (15%), China (13%). Among the main suppliers, United States grew fastest, more than tenfold on the year before.
| Supplier country | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Germany | $10.0M | 41% |
| Taiwan | $3.8M | 15% |
| China | $3.1M | 13% |
| Spain | $2.8M | 11% |
| Japan | $2.2M | 9.1% |
| Belgium | $1.0M | 4.1% |
| United States | $780K | 3.2% |
| Italy | $637K | 2.6% |
| Netherlands | $103K | 0.4% |
| France | $74K | 0.3% |
Who is behind these numbers in the United Kingdom?
The shipment records behind United Kingdom polyvinyl alcohol exports (HS 3905.30): 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 3905.30: Poly(vinyl alcohol): whether or not containing unhydrolysed acetate groups.
Common questions
What is the value of polyvinyl alcohol exported by the United Kingdom?
The United Kingdom exported polyvinyl alcohol worth $48.9 million in 2024, the latest year with complete public data, about 8.8 thousand tonnes. That ranks it 8th of 88 countries worldwide, with 3% of world exports. The value was up 11% on 2023.
Which countries buy polyvinyl alcohol from the United Kingdom?
China was the largest buyer with 20% of the value ($10.0 million), followed by Germany (14%) and the United States (9%). The top three together account for 44%, out of 53 buyer countries in total. China grew fastest among the top ten, up 37% on the year.
What is the average export price of polyvinyl alcohol per kg?
The average declared export value was about $5.57 per kg in 2024, 106% above the world average of $2.71 per kg. Declared value divided by weight mixes every grade, so read it as a benchmark rather than a quote.
How have exports of polyvinyl alcohol from the United Kingdom changed since 2017?
Exports went from $40.1 million in 2017 to $48.9 million in 2024, an increase of 22%. The peak was 2022 at $59.7 million. Over 8 years the average was $46.5 million a year.
Does the United Kingdom also import polyvinyl alcohol?
Yes. The United Kingdom imported $24.6 million worth of this product in 2024, mainly from Germany, Taiwan and China. On balance the United Kingdom is a net exporter of this product, by about $24.3 million a year.
What is the HS code for polyvinyl alcohol?
The HS code for polyvinyl alcohol is subheading 3905.30. It sits in HS chapter 39 (plastics and articles thereof). The full list of codes and descriptions is on the HS 3905 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.
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