Imports of nearly all grades of polyethylene, polypropylene, styrenic polymers, PVC and PET were up sharply versus 2023, many grades setting new records. Brazil’s imports of fabricated plastic products also surged to new highs.

Brazil’s imports of commodity polymers totaled 3.7 million tons in 2024, up 38% from 2023. Exports of 1 million tons, mostly polyethylene and polypropylene shipped within Latin America, were up slightly. Brazil imported 293,000 tons, up 40%, of fabricated plastic products.

Imports of both commodity polymers and fabricated plastic products trended generally upward for most of the year.

Polyethylene grades were the largest commodity polymer import, 2.0 million tons, up 40%. North America supplied roughly three-quarters. Other Latin American countries, mainly Argentina,11%. There were large percentage increases on imports from Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Israel and China but these comprised less than 9% of the total.

Polypropylene was the second largest commodity polymer import, 738,000 tons, up 42%. Other Latin America, the Middle East and Asia-Pacific each supplied roughly 220,000 tons, noting big increases on imports from Saudi Arabia and China.

Styrenic polymer imports were 240,000 tons, up 30%. Imports from Asia-Pacific rose 31%, to 58% of the total, polymer mainly from Korea, China and Taiwan.

PVC imports were 605,000 tons, up 35%. Top suppliers were: Colombia, 233,000 tons, up 20%; US, 131,000 tons, up 50%; and Egypt (polymer diverted from Europe because of trade sanctions) 72,000 tons, up 825%.

Imports of film/sheet/plates made from PE, PP, PVC and PET, plus PVC floor/wall coverings, made up roughly 90% of Brazil’s fabricated plastic product imports, identifiable by polymer, of 292,000 tons. China was the top supplier for each.

From International Trader Publications Brazil Polymer Trade Report, analyzing Brazil’s trade in all grades of commodity polymers, recyclable polymers and fabricated plastic products, updated as soon as Brazil reports its monthly statistics.