Environment and related trade

Data insights

The intersection of international trade and environmental sustainability has become increasingly important in shaping global economic policies. This collection of thematic insights explores key areas where trade and the environment intersect, shedding light on the dynamics of environmentally related trade.

Global plastics trade has more than doubled over two decades, yet much remains untracked

Exports value and volume of plastics, billions of dollars and millions of metric tons

UN Trade and Development, UNCTADstat.

Data refer to plastic products and products containing plastics as identified in this classification by UN Trade and Development jointly with the Forum on Trade, Environment & the SDGs (TESS) at the Geneva Graduate Institute, based on HS codes.

See metadata.

Global exports of plastics goods have more than doubled in value since 2005, reflecting the widespread use of plastics across industries, from primary pellets to finished products. By 2024, their exports had reached $1.12 trillion, accounting for around 5% of global merchandise trade.

Over the same period, plastic exports volumes grew from 218 million tons (MT) to 337 MT in 2024. To put this in perspective, transporting this amount by road would require around 16.9 million trucks, each carrying 20 tons.

Data updated on 4 Sep 2026

Asia and Oceania accounted for nearly 60% of global plastics exports in 2024

Plastic trade by region, percentage of global volume in metric tons

UN Trade and Development, UNCTADstat.

Data refer to plastic products and products containing plastics as identified in this classification by UN Trade and Development jointly with the Forum on Trade, Environment & the SDGs (TESS) at the Geneva Graduate Institute, based on HS codes.

See metadata.

In 2024, Asia and Oceania accounted for nearly 60% of global plastics exports, equivalent to around 202 million tons (MT) of the 337 MT traded globally. Asia alone dominated global exports, supplying 59.7% (201 MT), reflecting the concentration of plastics production and manufacturing activity in the region. Europe was the second-largest exporting region, with a share of 25.7% (86 MT), while the Americas accounted for 13.4% (45 MT).

Plastics imports were more geographically diversified. Asia remained the largest destination, accounting for 39% of global imports (112 MT), followed by Europe with 32% (93 MT) and the Americas with 21% (61 MT). 

Africa accounted for 7% of global plastics imports (19 MT), compared with just 1% of exports (4 MT), highlighting its position as a net importer of plastics.

Data updated on 4 Sep 2026

Metadata

The data for international trade in plastics is derived from UN Comtrade data by identifying plastic products or products containing plastics from the Harmonized System codes used in Customs. This statistical series offers insights into global plastic trade patterns, but it is still in its experimental phase and requires refinement, especially its volume measurement.

The hierarchy table used for the aggregation of Harmonized-System six-digit codes and subheading descriptions to the categories of product groups of the plastics trade across the plastics life cycle is available on our Classifications page.

Full metadata are available in our Data Centre for Plastics trade by partner, annual (experimental).

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