China continues as the world’s largest PE importer but its percentage share of global trade volume has fallen over the 2020-2025 period. China’s imports are projected to decline further; China’s exports, to increase.

Polyethylene imports into China swelled in 2020, to 21.3 million tons, as demand rebounded after Covid. China accounted for 30% of the global trade total that year of 71.2 million tons. Lower domestic demand and increased domestic production resulted in a sharp drop in imports from 2021; volume was roughly 16 million tons from 2022 through 2025. Steady growth in imports into the rest of the world raised the global total to 73.1 million tons in 2025, with China’s share down to 22%. (Note, polyethylene global trade volume is for all grades combined, measured as imports or exports, which are equal).

The Middle East and other Asia-Pacific continue to supply most of China’s PE but volumes have been negatively impacted with new Chinese capacity. Imports from the United States surged in 2023/2024, at the expense of these regions, but increased Chinese self-sufficiency, plus tariff issues, have since resulted in lower volumes. (See: US-China Polyethylene Tariffs: History, Market Effects and New Developments.)

China is currently a relatively small polyethylene exporter, shipments to other countries totaling 2.1 million tons in 2025. The bulk of this went to other Asia-Pacific market, but shipments outside the region have also been rising, especially to Africa. Leading destinations include: Nigeria; Egypt; Vietnam; Bangladesh; Brazil; Mexico. Although China has stated it plans large increases in PE capacity (one source, GlobalData, citing the addition of 14 million tons/year from 2025-2030), the current global oversupply situation and record low prices are likely to impact the timing.

From International Trader Publications’ continuously updated World Trade Analyses on all grades of polyethylene, and, The China Polymer Trade Report, analyzing China’s imports and exports by country and region for all grades of PE, PP, Styrenics, PVC, PET; recyclable polymers; and key fabricated plastic products.