Plant-derived thickeners imports in the United States: data, top suppliers and prices
In 2024, the United States imported plant-derived thickeners worth $134.8 million (13.1 thousand tonnes). It ranks 1st of 176 countries for imports of this product. Value fell 15% from 2023. Across 2017-2024 the long-run trend was broadly stable. The peak in this period was 2022, at $188.0 million.
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 | $134.8M | 13.1K t |
| 2023 | $158.3M | 11.3K t |
| 2022 | $188.0M | 15.3K t |
| 2021 | $126.2M | 13.5K t |
| 2020 | $99.7M | 11.8K t |
| 2019 | $130.7M | 16.4K t |
| 2018 | $114.9M | 16.2K t |
| 2017 | $84.5M | 10.9K t |
Where the United States imports plant-derived thickeners from
The largest suppliers were Philippines (33%), Chile (17%), Denmark (11%).
| Supplier country | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Philippines | $44.7M | 33% |
| Chile | $23.0M | 17% |
| Denmark | $15.4M | 11% |
| Spain | $9.7M | 7.2% |
| South Korea | $7.3M | 5.4% |
| China | $7.3M | 5.4% |
| Canada | $5.4M | 4% |
| France | $5.2M | 3.8% |
| United Kingdom | $5.1M | 3.8% |
| Indonesia | $4.7M | 3.5% |
Average import price per kg
The average declared value was about $10.26 per kg, close to the world average of $8.56.
Declared value divided by weight, all 2024 shipments. Prices per shipment and per company are in EximDataX.
Plant-derived thickeners exports from the United States
In 2024, the United States exported plant-derived thickeners worth $65.7 million (3.4 thousand tonnes). It ranks 8th of 129 countries for exports of this product. The largest buyer markets were United Kingdom (16%), China (15%), Canada (9%). Trade is spread widely: the top three buyer markets together make up only 40%. Among the main buyer markets, Netherlands grew fastest (+349% on the year before).
| Destination | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| United Kingdom | $10.5M | 16% |
| China | $10.2M | 16% |
| Canada | $5.9M | 9% |
| Mexico | $5.7M | 8.6% |
| Thailand | $4.8M | 7.3% |
| South Korea | $3.9M | 5.9% |
| Japan | $3.0M | 4.5% |
| Netherlands | $2.7M | 4.1% |
| Denmark | $2.3M | 3.5% |
| India | $2.2M | 3.3% |
Who is behind these numbers in the United States?
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 1302.39: Mucilages and thickeners: whether or not modified, derived from vegetable products, n.e.c. in item no. 1302.3.
Common questions
What is the value of plant-derived thickeners imported by the United States?
The United States imported plant-derived thickeners worth $134.8 million in 2024, the latest year with complete public data, about 13.1 thousand tonnes. That ranks it 1st of 176 countries worldwide, with 9% of world imports. The value was down 15% on 2023.
Which countries supply plant-derived thickeners to the United States?
The Philippines was the largest supplier with 33% of the value ($44.7 million), followed by Chile (17%) and Denmark (11%). The top three together account for 62%, out of 39 supplier countries in total. Spain grew fastest among the top ten, up 14% on the year.
What is the average import price of plant-derived thickeners per kg?
The average declared import value was about $10.26 per kg in 2024, 20% above the world average of $8.56 per kg. It is total declared value divided by total weight, so it blends every grade and size; use it as a benchmark, not a quote. Prices per shipment and per company are in EximDataX.
How have imports of plant-derived thickeners to the United States changed since 2017?
Imports went from $84.5 million in 2017 to $134.8 million in 2024, an increase of 60%. The peak was 2022 at $188.0 million. Monthly and weekly movements since then are in EximDataX.
Does the United States also export plant-derived thickeners?
Yes. The United States exported $65.7 million worth of this product in 2024, mainly to the United Kingdom, China and Canada. On balance the United States is a net importer of this product, by about $69.0 million a year.
What is the HS code for plant-derived thickeners?
The HS code for plant-derived thickeners is subheading 1302.39. It sits in HS chapter 13 (lac; gums, resins and other vegetable saps and extracts). The full list of codes and descriptions is on the HS 1302 page.
How can I find the companies behind this trade?
Public statistics stop at country totals. EximDataX has a direct customs feed for the United States with shipment-level records, updated weekly, so you can see importers and exporters by name with dates, quantities and declared values. Tell us your product and we will show you the latest records on a live call.
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