Product intelligence · HS 550140 · 2024 data

Fibres: synthetic filament tow, of polypropylene

Global exports of fibres: synthetic filament tow, of polypropylene totalled $23,442,797 in 2024, a -17.2% change from the previous year. Traded by 47 countries across 285 bilateral corridors, with demand from 108 importing markets. The long-term trend is declining.

Data: OECD BIMTS · Coverage: 19952024 · Updated: 2026-07-17

Global trade

$23.4M

-17.2% YoY

3Y / 5Y CAGR

-9.6%

5Y: -12.9%

Supply structure

Concentrated

HHI 0.373

Volatility

Low

Score 8/100

1.

Market movement

In 2024, fibres: synthetic filament tow, of polypropylene trade exhibited significant decline, with global flows reaching $23,442,797 and a three-year compound annual growth rate of -9.6% (five-year: -12.9%). The all-time peak of $46,761,597 was recorded in 2019; the current level is 50% below that high-water mark.

Over the 30-year observation window (19952024), 59% of years recorded positive growth, indicating a mildly upward trajectory with periodic contractions. Trend momentum is decelerating (-13.4% acceleration).

2.

Supply & demand structure

The supply side is concentrated (Herfindahl-Hirschman Index 0.373). The three largest exporters — South Korea ($14.2M), China ($7.0M), and Spain ($3.7M) — collectively dominate supply flows. The leading exporter has grown at -14.2% over the last three years.

On the demand side, importer concentration is diversified (HHI 0.128). The three largest import markets are Kenya ($6.8M), Tanzania ($3.9M), and United States ($1.4M). The largest importing market sources from 6 different supplying countries.

Estimated substitution elasticity: -20.02. Buyers are highly price-sensitive and can switch between suppliers relatively easily.

The dominant trade corridor is South Korea → Kenya at $5.3M, representing 78.4% of the importer's total demand.

3.

Risk profile & trade outlook

The volatility score for fibres: synthetic filament tow, of polypropylene is 8 out of 100, classified as low. Trade flows are relatively stable compared to other HS6 products, suggesting mature supply chains and predictable demand.

For market entrants, contracting demand signals caution before committing resources. The concentrated supply structure suggests high barriers but also potential opportunity if dominant suppliers face disruption or capacity constraints.

Data confidence is rated "High" based on reporting coverage and consistency across OECD member and partner countries.

Historical evidence

Annual trade value 19952024

Peak: $46,761,597 in 2019. Currently 50% below peak.

YearGlobal trade (USD)YoY growth
2015$17,904,981+10.7%
2016$29,196,331+63.1%
2017$35,124,052+20.3%
2018$39,336,717+12.0%
2019$46,761,597+18.9%
2020$40,970,244-12.4%
2021$31,718,070-22.6%
2022$25,491,432-19.6%
2023$28,306,669+11.0%
2024$23,442,797-17.2%

Top exporting countries

Ranked by export value of fibres: synthetic filament tow, of polypropylene in 2024.

View all 47 exporters →

Top importing markets

Largest import destinations for fibres: synthetic filament tow, of polypropylene.

View all 108 markets →

Leading trade corridors

Largest bilateral export flows for fibres: synthetic filament tow, of polypropylene, ranked by value. Click any country to view its full profile.

#ExporterImporterValue 20243Y CAGR
1South KoreaKenya$5.3M+24.6%
2South KoreaTanzania$3.8M-16.6%
3SpainBangladesh$3.3M
4MaliIvory Coast$3.3M
5ChinaUnited States$1.4M-13.5%
6JapanCanada$1.4M+131.2%
7United KingdomSyria$1.2M+494.0%
8South AfricaKenya$1.1M+49.8%

Showing top 8 of 10 corridors with available data for 2024.

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Sources, definitions & methodology

Data source

OECD Bilateral International Merchandise Trade Statistics (BIMTS). Aggregated from 312M+ reported trade records across 200+ countries and 5,300+ HS6 product codes. Coverage: 19952024.

Key indicators

HHI (Herfindahl-Hirschman Index): market concentration, 0 = fully diversified, 1 = single player. CAGR: compound annual growth rate over a stated period. Volatility score: trade value variability, 0–100 scale.

How this page is made

All statistical content on this page is data-driven, composed programmatically from live OECD trade records. No generic AI-generated prose is used. Analytical paragraphs combine real data points with factual interpretation. This page was last refreshed on 2026-07-17.