Venezuela’s imports of polyethylene have risen over most of the 2010-2025 period while exports have been negligible. The dramatic United States military intervention in Venezuela on January 3, 2026 and the stated US intention to upgrade the country’s oil industry raises the possibility that a corollary upgrade of the country’s petrochemical capacity may also be considered.

Venezuela’s imports of polyethylene (all grades combined) have risen sharply over the last five years and are projected to total 113,000 tons in 2025, with the US supplying 70% and China and Colombia each roughly 15%. From 2010-2012, Brazil was the leading import source. (Data from trading partner export statistics.)

Current global oversupply in the polyethylene market dampens prospects for a rapid upgrade to Venezuela’s production facilities although, longer term, the improvement in the country’s trade balance would be a consideration.

From International Trader Publications’ World Trade Analyses, continuously updated analyses of global trade for combined and individual grades of polyethylene, developed from trade statistics from all publishing countries.