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, billion 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 its widespread use across all industries, from primary pellets to finished goods. By 2023 global exports of plastics reached $1.13 trillion, representing around 5% of global merchandise trade.

The volume of plastic exports grew from 218 million tons (MT) in 2005 to 323 MT in 2023. To illustrate, it would take around 16.2 million trucks, each carrying 20 tons, to deliver the 2023 global plastics exports to their destination, if carried on road.

Data updated on 4 Aug 2025

Asia and Oceania accounted for more than half of global plastics exports in 2023

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 2023, Asia and Oceania accounted for 59% of global plastics exports, totaling 190 million tons (MT), with Europe contributing 27%, and the Americas 13%. African economies represented less than 1% of global plastics exports.

In contrast, plastics imports were slightly less concentrated than exports: Asia and Oceania received 43% (131 MT), Europe 31%, and the Americas 22%. Africa, as a net importer of plastics, increased its share to 5.2% of global plastics imports.

Data updated on 4 Aug 2025

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 are 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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