Brazil’s imports of polyethylene were at record high levels for most of 2024. Trade through September 2025 slowed versus the prior year but the impact of a recent anti-dumping ruling against polymer imports from the US and Canada is expected to be realized in the fourth quarter.

Brazil’s imports of all grades of polyethylene totaled 2.0 million tons in 2024, up 40% from 2023. Through September, 2025, imports were 1.5 million tons, down 6% versus the same period in the prior year. Lower volumes from US and Canada accounted for most of the decline, and were not offset by increases from Argentina, Egypt, China and others.

In August, 2025, Brazil implemented a temporary anti-dumping duty on PE imports from US of roughly $200/ton and $240/ton from Canada, following an investigation initiated by Braskem that found that imports from these countries were causing material injury to the local PE industry. The decision is to be reviewed and a final decision made by February 2026. The duty is expected to particularly impact the US; Brazil is the US’s third largest export destination, after Mexico and China.

Braskem plans to add 220,000 tons of polyethylene capacity at its petrochemical facility at Rio de Janeiro, to be completed by the end of 2028.

From International Trader Publication’s Brazil Polymer Trade Report, a monthly analysis of Brazil’s trade in all grades of PE, PP, PS, PVC and PET, recyclable polymers and fabricated plastic products.