U.S. Exports of Plastic Scrap Declined Sharply by 28%

SEATTLE (Scrap Monster): The U.S. exported $178.08 million worth of plastic scrap during the first four months of the current year, in accordance with the latest trade statistics released by the U.S. Census Bureau. The exports during this period declined significantly by 28% when compared with the corresponding four-month period in 2017. The plastic scrap exports had totaled $247.65 million in Jan-Apr ’17.

Malaysia, Thailand, Canada, Hong Kong and India were the top five destination markets for US plastic scrap exports. The U.S. exports to these five countries totaled $111.50 million, accounting for nearly 62% of total exports during the opening four months in 2018. The largest export destination was Malaysia. The country imported $30.87 million worth plastic scrap from the U.S, representing over 17% of total export market share. The imports by Thailand and Canada totaled $24.09 million and $22.0 million respectively. Hong Kong and India imported $12.65 million each of plastic scrap from the U.S.

Meantime, the U.S. imports of plastic waste and scrap surged higher by 14% to total $76.52 million during the first four months of 2018. The imports had totaled only $67.13 million during the corresponding period last year.

Mexico was the key supplier during Jan-Apr ’18, accounting for $31.06 million. This accounted for more than 40% of the total U.S. imports. The second largest exporter was Canada. The imports from the neighboring country declined marginally by 2.2% over the year to total $16.01 million. In third place was China with $3.62 million. The other major suppliers were Honduras ($2.27 million), Nigeria ($1.99 million), Germany ($1.81 million), Indonesia ($1.77 million) and Japan ($1.75 million).

The U.S. plastic scrap imports had totaled $221.52 million during the entire year 2017.