Mexico Ethylene Polymers Export Market -- HS Code 3901 Trade Data & Price Trend (Feb 2025)

Mexico Ethylene Polymers Export (HS 3901) Key Takeaways

Mexico's Ethylene Polymers Export in February 2025 is dominated by bulk high-density polyethylene (HS Code 3901), with a 27% value share, reflecting a commodity-driven market where pricing power hinges on cost efficiency. Export value dropped 18.2% month-over-month to $113.62 million, despite a 9.1% rise in unit price, signaling tighter supply or selective high-value shipments. Buyer concentration is extreme, with a single group accounting for 94.73% of export value, creating vulnerability to demand shifts. The U.S. remains the top destination by volume (50.73% weight share), but the Netherlands leads in value (22.43%), highlighting a split between bulk and premium markets. This analysis is based on cleanly processed Customs data from the yTrade database for February 2025.

Mexico Ethylene Polymers Export (HS 3901) Background

What is HS Code 3901?

HS Code 3901 refers to polymers of ethylene in primary forms, commonly known as ethylene polymers. These materials are widely used in packaging, construction, and automotive industries due to their durability and versatility. Global demand remains stable, driven by their essential role in manufacturing and consumer goods.

Current Context and Strategic Position

Mexico's ethylene polymers export market shows a notable disparity: in January 2025, 54% of volume shipped to the U.S. accounted for only 29% of total export value [yTrade]. This highlights potential pricing or product mix challenges. Mexico’s strategic significance in HS Code 3901 trade data stems from its proximity to the U.S. and competitive production costs. Monitoring ethylene polymers export from Mexico is critical to navigating shifting market dynamics and trade policy impacts.

Mexico Ethylene Polymers Export (HS 3901) Price Trend

Key Observations

Mexico's Ethylene Polymers exports in February 2025 totaled 113.62 million USD at a unit price of $0.36 per kilogram, reflecting a mixed performance with a notable drop in value from the previous month.

Price and Volume Dynamics

The Mexico Ethylene Polymers Export trend saw a sequential decline in February, with value falling 18.2% month-over-month from January's 138.88 million USD, while the unit price rose 9.1% to $0.36 per kilogram amid a sharp volume reduction to 313.32 million kg. This divergence likely stems from tighter supply or selective higher-value shipments, as the hs code 3901 value trend often responds to global demand cycles and inventory adjustments in the plastics sector, rather than acute seasonal shifts.

Mexico Ethylene Polymers Export (HS 3901) HS Code Breakdown

Product Specialization and Concentration

According to yTrade data for February 2025, Mexico's export of HS Code 3901 is heavily concentrated on high-density polyethylene with a specific gravity of 0.94 or more, specifically under sub-code 39012001. This product dominates with a 27% value share and 21% weight share, at a unit price of 0.48 USD per kilogram, indicating a focus on mid-range priced bulk material. The data shows consistent trade volumes without extreme price anomalies, reinforcing this specialization.

Value-Chain Structure and Grade Analysis

The remaining sub-codes fall into two main categories: low-density polyethylene with specific gravity below 0.94, trading at lower unit prices from 0.11 to 0.60 USD per kilogram, and specialty copolymers like ethylene-vinyl acetate, which command a higher price of 1.17 USD per kilogram but have minimal volume. This structure points to a market for fungible bulk commodities, where pricing is closely tied to material grade and density rather than high value-add processing.

Strategic Implication and Pricing Power

For players in Mexico's HS Code 3901 export market, pricing power is limited by the commodity nature of these polymers, emphasizing cost efficiency in high-volume grades like high-density polyethylene. Strategic focus should prioritize scaling dominant products while exploring niche opportunities in higher-value copolymers, as suggested by HS Code 3901 trade data analysis.

Table: Mexico HS Code 3901) Breakdown Details (Source: yTrade)

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Mexico Ethylene Polymers Export (HS 3901) Destination Countries

Geographic Concentration and Dominant Role

The United States is the top destination for Mexico's Ethylene Polymers exports in February 2025, with a 25.99% share of value and a much higher 50.73% share of weight. This gap, where weight outweighs value, points to bulk shipments of lower-grade or raw material forms of the polymer. The Netherlands follows with a 22.43% value share but only 9.48% weight share, indicating demand for higher-value, finished products.

Destination Countries Clusters and Underlying Causes

Countries group into two main clusters based on trade patterns. The High-Yield Cluster includes the Netherlands, where value share is high but weight is low, suggesting premium pricing for specialized Ethylene Polymers grades. The Volume Cluster features the United States and Switzerland, with Switzerland's 21.69% weight share far exceeding its 4.98% value share, indicating roles as hubs for bulk processing or transshipment. A Transactional Cluster isn't strong, but El Salvador's high frequency share of 10.04% with low value hints at smaller, regular shipments, possibly for regional distribution.

Forward Strategy and Supply Chain Implications

To boost margins, focus on high-yield markets like the Netherlands by promoting advanced polymer grades. For bulk buyers in the Volume Cluster, streamline logistics to cut costs, especially for the U.S., where [yTrade] data shows similar volume-value gaps, confirming a trend of lower-value bulk trade. This approach can help balance Mexico's HS Code 3901 export performance.

Table: Mexico Ethylene Polymers (HS 3901) Top Destination Countries (Source: yTrade)

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Mexico Ethylene Polymers (HS 3901) Buyers Analysis

Buyer Market Concentration and Dominance

According to yTrade data, the Mexico Ethylene Polymers Export buyers market in February 2025 is highly concentrated, with one segment of high-value, high-frequency buyers dominating. This group accounts for 94.73% of the total export value and 86.83% of trade frequency, indicating that typical trade involves regular, large-volume shipments. The four segments of buyers show that most Mexico Ethylene Polymers Export activity is driven by this core group, which handles the bulk of hs code 3901 trade data.

Strategic Buyer Clusters and Trade Role

The remaining buyer segments for hs code 3901 have minimal impact, with low-value and low-frequency groups contributing less than 3% each to value. The dominant high-value, high-frequency buyers, represented by companies like FCA PERUANA ETERNIT S.A and NICOLL PERU SA, suggest a Direct-to-Factory commercial persona, as these appear to be industrial end-users rather than intermediaries. This profile of hs code 3901 buyers points to a market where exports are primarily shipped directly to manufacturing clients, with little role for trading agents.

Sales Strategy and Vulnerability

For Mexico's export strategy, focus should remain on nurturing relationships with the dominant high-value buyers to maintain revenue, but diversification into other segments could reduce vulnerability to demand shifts. The high concentration poses a risk if key buyers reduce orders, yet opportunities exist in targeting occasional buyers for incremental growth. Sales efforts should prioritize direct engagement with industrial customers, supported by the news that U.S. exports show volume-value disparities [ytrade.com], hinting at potential for value optimization in key markets.

Table: Mexico Ethylene Polymers (HS 3901) Top Buyers List (Source: yTrade)

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Action Plan for Ethylene Polymers Market Operation and Expansion

• Focus on high-yield markets like the Netherlands by promoting advanced polymer grades, using hs code 3901 trade data to target buyers paying premium prices, because this directly increases the profit margin of the Mexico Ethylene Polymers Export.
• Diversify the buyer base by targeting occasional and low-frequency importers identified in the data, as this reduces reliance on a few dominant clients and stabilizes the Ethylene Polymers supply chain against demand shocks.
• Streamline logistics and shipping for high-volume, low-value bulk shipments to the U.S. and Switzerland, to cut operational costs and protect competitiveness in these key bulk markets for Mexico's Ethylene Polymers Export.
• Monitor buyer order frequency and volume patterns monthly using hs code 3901 trade data, to anticipate demand cycles, adjust production, and prevent overstock or shortages in the Ethylene Polymers supply chain.

Take Action Now —— Explore Mexico Ethylene Polymers Export Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1. What is driving the recent changes in Mexico Ethylene Polymers Export 2025 February?

Mexico's Ethylene Polymers exports saw an 18.2% drop in value but a 9.1% rise in unit price, driven by tighter supply or selective higher-value shipments amid reduced volume. The commodity nature of bulk polymers like high-density polyethylene limits pricing power, making cost efficiency critical.

Q2. Who are the main destination countries of Mexico Ethylene Polymers (HS Code 3901) 2025 February?

The U.S. (25.99% value share) and the Netherlands (22.43% value share) dominate, with the U.S. handling bulk shipments (50.73% weight share) and the Netherlands focusing on higher-value products.

Q3. Why does the unit price differ across destination countries of Mexico Ethylene Polymers Export?

Price gaps stem from product specialization: bulk high-density polyethylene (0.48 USD/kg) ships to the U.S., while premium copolymers like ethylene-vinyl acetate (1.17 USD/kg) target high-yield markets like the Netherlands.

Q4. What should exporters in Mexico focus on in the current Ethylene Polymers export market?

Prioritize nurturing relationships with dominant high-volume buyers (94.73% value share) while exploring niche copolymer opportunities. Diversify beyond bulk-heavy markets like the U.S. to premium destinations.

Q5. What does this Mexico Ethylene Polymers export pattern mean for buyers in partner countries?

U.S. buyers benefit from reliable bulk supply, while Dutch buyers access specialized grades. High buyer concentration means industrial clients have stable sourcing but limited intermediary roles.

Q6. How is Ethylene Polymers typically used in this trade flow?

Primarily as raw material for manufacturing, with high-density polyethylene (39012001) used for bulk packaging or construction, and specialty copolymers for higher-value applications like adhesives or coatings.