Global polypropylene import and export value 2010 to 2023
The global polypropylene import and export values dropped to 25.1 billion U.S. dollars in 2023 from 32.1 billion U.S. dollars in 2022. This decline highlights the volatility in the plastics market and its sensitivity to global economic conditions. Despite this overall decrease, polypropylene remains a crucial material in various industries, including packaging, automotive, textiles, and consumer goods.
Leading players in the polypropylene market
China emerged as the top importer of polypropylene in 2023, bringing in 2.65 billion U.S. dollars worth of the material, followed closely by Turkey with polypropylene imports valued at almost 2.2 billion U.S. dollars. On the export side, Saudi Arabia led the pack with exports valued at nearly 4.7 billion U.S. dollars, while South Korea secured the second position with exports exceeding 1.9 billion U.S. dollars. These figures underscore the global nature of the polypropylene trade and the importance of key players in shaping market dynamics.
Broader context of plastics and rubber trade
The polypropylene market is part of the larger plastics and rubber industry, where the United States and China play significant roles. The United States was the leading importer of plastics and rubber in 2023, accounting for almost 12 percent of global imports, followed by China at 8.27 percent. Conversely, China dominated exports, representing about 16.5 percent of global plastics and rubber exports. This broader context illustrates the interconnectedness of various plastic materials in international trade and the prominent positions held by major economies in shaping the industry landscape.
