Polypropylene imports in Zambia: data, top suppliers and prices
In 2024, Zambia imported polypropylene worth $53.7 million (41.5 thousand tonnes). That is 7% less 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 .
Imports by year, 2017-2024
Hover or tap a year for detail.
Year by year
| Year | Value | Quantity |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $53.7M | 41.5K t |
| 2023 | $57.4M | 48.9K t |
| 2022 | $60.7M | 39.6K t |
| 2021 | $62.3M | 40.6K t |
| 2020 | $37.5M | 31.8K t |
| 2019 | $35.6M | 25.5K t |
| 2018 | $45.8M | 29.1K t |
| 2017 | $36.0M | 26.8K t |
Where Zambia imports polypropylene from
One supplier dominates: South Africa accounted for 86% of the value.
| Supplier country | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| South Africa | $46.0M | 86% |
| China | $2.0M | 3.7% |
| United Arab Emirates | $1.3M | 2.4% |
| Saudi Arabia | $864K | 1.6% |
| South Korea | $828K | 1.5% |
| Thailand | $822K | 1.5% |
| India | $564K | 1.1% |
| Netherlands | $481K | 0.9% |
| Vietnam | $309K | 0.6% |
| Hong Kong | $253K | 0.5% |
Product types under HS 3902
| 3902.10 | Propylene, other olefin polymers: polypropylene in primary forms | 73% |
| 3902.30 | Polypropylene copolymers | 25% |
| 3902.90 | Olefin polymers (other) | 2% |
| 3902.20 | Polyisobutylene | 0.4% |
Codes and full descriptions: HS heading 3902.
Average import price per kg
The average declared value was about $1.29 per kg, close to the world average of $1.36.
Declared value divided by weight, all 2024 shipments. Prices per shipment and per company are in EximDataX.
Polypropylene exports from Zambia
Exports of polypropylene by Zambia reached $366 thousand in 2024 (162 tonnes). The largest buyer markets were Republic of the Congo (49%), Tanzania (33%), Malawi (10%). Among the main buyer markets, Tanzania grew fastest, more than tenfold on the year before.
| Destination | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Republic of the Congo | $178K | 49% |
| Tanzania | $122K | 33% |
| Malawi | $38K | 10% |
| Zimbabwe | $27K | 7.4% |
| DR Congo | $0K | 0.1% |
| China | $0K | 0.1% |
| Netherlands | $0K | 0% |
| South Africa | $0K | 0% |
Who is behind these numbers in Zambia?
The shipment records behind Zambia polypropylene imports (HS 3902): companies, dates, quantities and declared values.
Shipment records are in the platform
Tell us what you trade and we will show you the latest records on a live call.
Mirror data: built from the shipment records of the countries that trade with it.
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 3902: Polymers of propylene or of other olefins, in primary forms.
Common questions
What is the value of polypropylene imported by Zambia?
Zambia imported polypropylene worth $53.7 million in 2024, the latest year with complete public data, about 41.5 thousand tonnes. That ranks it 78th of 203 countries worldwide, with 0% of world imports. The value was down 7% on 2023.
Which countries supply polypropylene to Zambia?
South Africa was the largest supplier with 86% of the value ($46.0 million), followed by China (4%) and the United Arab Emirates (2%). The top three together account for 92%, out of 17 supplier countries in total. The Netherlands grew fastest among the top ten, up 522% on the year.
What is the average import price of polypropylene per kg?
The average declared import value was about $1.29 per kg in 2024, 5% below the world average of $1.36 per kg. Declared value divided by weight mixes every grade, so read it as a benchmark rather than a quote.
How have imports of polypropylene to Zambia changed since 2017?
Imports went from $36.0 million in 2017 to $53.7 million in 2024, an increase of 49%. The peak was 2021 at $62.3 million. Over 8 years the average was $48.6 million a year.
Does Zambia also export polypropylene?
Yes. Zambia exported $366 thousand worth of this product in 2024, mainly to the Republic of the Congo, Tanzania and Malawi. On balance Zambia is a net importer of this product, by about $53.3 million a year.
What is the HS code for polypropylene?
The HS code for polypropylene is heading 3902. In Zambia the largest six-digit codes were 3902.10 (73% of the value) and 3902.30 (25%).
How can I find the companies behind this trade?
EximDataX rebuilds Zambia trade from the customs records of its trading partners, so the companies shipping to and from it are visible. Ask for a live look at your product.
Same product, other countries
Polypropylene product types in Zambia
See what your buyers are buying.Then decide.
Everything we show you comes from official customs filings — records, not claims. 30 minutes. Your shipment. Your HS code. Real platform. If you don’t see something new about your market by the end of the call, we walk away. No follow-ups.