Mexico Polyethylene Polymers HS3901 Export Data 2025 April Overview

Mexico Polyethylene Polymers (HS Code 3901) Export data shows U.S. dominates volume (58.75%) but Europe pays premium prices, per yTrade's April 2025 customs analysis.

Mexico Polyethylene Polymers (HS 3901) 2025 April Export: Key Takeaways

Mexico's Polyethylene Polymers (HS Code 3901) Export in 2025 April reveals a bulk commodity trade dominated by the U.S., which accounts for 58.75% of volume but just 33.97% of value, highlighting a high-volume, low-margin market. European buyers like the Netherlands and Spain show premium demand, paying higher prices for specialized grades, while Latin American markets absorb standard industrial shipments. This analysis, covering April 2025, is based on cleanly processed Customs data from the yTrade database.

Mexico Polyethylene Polymers (HS 3901) 2025 April Export Background

Mexico Polyethylene Polymers (HS Code 3901), which covers polymers of ethylene in primary forms, are essential raw materials for packaging, construction, and automotive industries, driving steady global demand. While Mexico’s 2025 export policy introduced an Automatic Export Notice for select goods, HS Code 3901 remains unaffected, allowing uninterrupted trade flows [Expeditors]. As a key USMCA supplier, Mexico’s polyethylene exports benefit from tariff advantages, though recent U.S. tariffs on non-compliant plastics highlight shifting trade dynamics. For April 2025, Mexico’s role in this sector stays strong, backed by stable production and regional demand.

Mexico Polyethylene Polymers (HS 3901) 2025 April Export: Trend Summary

Key Observations

In April 2025, Mexico's polyethylene polymers exports under HS Code 3901 experienced a notable price recovery, with unit prices rising to $0.26/kg after a sharp decline in March, while export volumes decreased significantly to 449.17 million kg.

Price and Volume Dynamics

The month-over-month comparison shows a 30% increase in unit price from March's low of $0.20/kg, alongside a 33% drop in volume, indicating a shift towards higher-value shipments. This volatility aligns with typical industrial stock cycles, where Q1 end often sees inventory drawdowns leading to price pressure, followed by Q2 replenishment efforts that stabilize or increase prices. The value of exports decreased slightly to $117.73 million, reflecting the volume reduction despite the price uptick, suggesting possible inventory adjustments or demand fluctuations in the polymers market.

External Context and Outlook

External factors, such as the US imposing a 25% tariff on certain Mexican plastics effective March 2025 [KoalaGains], likely contributed to the March price dip and April's recalibration, as exporters adapted to new trade barriers. Although Mexico's new Automatic Export Notice requirement [Expeditors] does not apply to HS Code 3901, the broader tariff environment and USMCA origin rules (Expeditors) continue to influence Mexico Polyethylene Polymers HS Code 3901 Export trends, with outlook pointing towards sustained price volatility amid ongoing trade policy adjustments.

Mexico Polyethylene Polymers (HS 3901) 2025 April Export: HS Code Breakdown

Product Specialization and Concentration

In April 2025, Mexico's export of Polyethylene Polymers under HS Code 3901 is dominated by the high-density grade, specifically the sub-code for ethylene polymers with a specific gravity of 0.94 or more (HS 39012001), which holds a 27% value share and 22% weight share at a unit price of $0.33 per kg. An extreme price anomaly is present with HS 3901100302, priced at only $0.06 per kg, which is isolated from the main analysis due to its outlier status.

Value-Chain Structure and Grade Analysis

The non-anomalous sub-codes fall into three clear categories based on density grades: high-density polyethylene (specific gravity ≥0.94, including HS 3901200100 and HS 390120), low-density polyethylene (specific gravity <0.94, such as HS 39011003 and HS 3901100301), and specialty copolymers like ethylene-alpha-olefin (HS 39014001). This structure shows a trade in fungible bulk commodities, where products are largely standardized and likely tied to global plastic resin indices, with unit prices ranging from $0.17 to $0.48 per kg indicating basic grade differentiation rather than high value-add.

Strategic Implication and Pricing Power

For Mexico Polyethylene Polymers HS Code 3901 Export 2025 April, pricing power appears limited to volume-driven bulk sales, with higher-density grades commanding slight premiums. Strategic focus should prioritize cost efficiency and market access, especially as [Mexico's new Automatic Export Notice requirements do not apply to polymers under HS 3901], reducing regulatory hurdles but necessitating attention to USMCA origin rules and potential tariff impacts (expeditors.com).

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Mexico Polyethylene Polymers (HS 3901) 2025 April Export: Market Concentration

Geographic Concentration and Dominant Role

Mexico's Polyethylene Polymers HS Code 3901 Export in 2025 April is heavily concentrated, with the United States taking a dominant 58.75% share of total weight. The significant gap between its weight share (58.75%) and value share (33.97%) confirms this is a bulk commodity trade, where high volume shipments move at a lower unit price.

Partner Countries Clusters and Underlying Causes

Two clear clusters emerge. The first is a European premium market, with the Netherlands and Spain showing much higher value ratios (13.62% and 7.56%) than their weight shares (3.65% and 1.49%), indicating purchases of higher-value polymer grades. The second is a regional Latin American cluster, including Peru, Guatemala, El Salvador, and Panama, which collectively represent a consistent flow of medium-volume shipments for standard industrial applications.

Forward Strategy and Supply Chain Implications

For Mexican exporters, the US remains the primary volume-driven market. The data supports a two-track strategy: prioritize logistics and cost efficiency for bulk shipments to the US, while developing higher-margin specialty products for the European market. [Expeditors] confirms that these polymers are not subject to Mexico's new 2025 Automatic Export Notice, so compliance focus should remain on USMCA rules of origin and potential US tariffs for non-compliant goods.

CountryValueQuantityFrequencyWeight
UNITED STATES39.99M32.55M941.00263.87M
NETHERLANDS16.04M16.06M90.0016.38M
SPAIN8.90M5.57M27.006.67M
PERU7.70M5.81M149.006.88M
SWITZERLAND6.95M4.05M74.00117.04M
GUATEMALA************************

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Mexico Polyethylene Polymers (HS 3901) 2025 April Export: Buyer Cluster

Buyer Market Concentration and Dominance

The Mexico Polyethylene Polymers Export 2025 April market for HS Code 3901 is extremely concentrated. A single group of high-volume, high-spending buyers dominates, accounting for 96.74% of the total export value. This group of 2,000 shipments also represents 97.26% of the total quantity, showing they are the core market. The median buyer behavior is defined by large, frequent purchases, making this a high-volume commodity trade.

Strategic Buyer Clusters and Trade Role

The remaining three segments of buyers play smaller, specialized roles. A set of occasional bulk buyers contributes 2.48% of the value through infrequent but large orders, likely for specific project-based needs. Another group consists of frequent small-quantity buyers, accounting for just 0.35% of the value; these are probably smaller manufacturers with steady but limited consumption. The final segment of rare, small buyers makes minimal impact (0.42% of value), suggesting they are either testing the market or have very niche, irregular requirements.

Sales Strategy and Vulnerability

The export strategy must focus on maintaining relationships with the dominant high-volume buyers, as losing even one could significantly impact revenue. The market's heavy reliance on this single cluster creates a major vulnerability to demand shifts or competitive pressure. The sales model should prioritize efficient, large-scale logistics and consistent supply. This focus is critical given the external pressure from a 25% US tariff on non-USMCA compliant Mexican plastics [KoalaGains], which could threaten cost advantages for these key buyers (KoalaGains).

Buyer CompanyValueQuantityFrequencyWeight
BRASKEM IDESA S A63.66M62.18M1.07K145.87M
IMPULSO AL CRECIMIENTO, SA DE CV6.76M4.62M7.004.62M
POLIMEROS MEXICANOS S A P I DE CV4.82M2.76M151.003.79M
ALPLA MEXICO SA DE CV************************

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Mexico Polyethylene Polymers (HS 3901) 2025 April Export: Action Plan for Polyethylene Polymers Market Expansion

Strategic Supply Chain Overview

Mexico Polyethylene Polymers Export 2025 April under HS Code 3901 operates as a bulk commodity trade. Price is driven by polymer grade quality and alignment with global resin indices. High-density grades command slight premiums. The market is extremely concentrated, with a single buyer cluster driving 97% of volume. The United States is the dominant destination for bulk shipments, while European markets pay higher prices for specialty grades. Supply chain implications prioritize logistics efficiency and supply security for high-volume flows. Regulatory focus must remain on USMCA origin rules to avoid tariffs, as these products are exempt from Mexico's new export notice requirements.

Action Plan: Data-Driven Steps for Polyethylene Polymers Market Execution

  • Segment buyers by purchase frequency and volume using trade data. This allows for customized logistics planning and contract terms, securing relationships with the dominant high-volume cluster that drives 97% of revenue.
  • Monitor real-time HS Code 3901 sub-category unit prices against global indices. This ensures competitive pricing for bulk grades and identifies premium opportunities for specialty polymers in European markets.
  • Track shipment weight-to-value ratios by destination country. This highlights markets paying premiums for higher-grade products, enabling targeted sales strategies to maximize margin beyond bulk US exports.
  • Automate alerts for any changes in USMCA rules or tariff policies. This protects cost advantages for key US buyers by ensuring origin compliance and avoiding sudden cost increases from non-compliance penalties.

Take Action Now —— Explore Mexico Polyethylene Polymers Export Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1. What is driving the recent changes in Mexico Polyethylene Polymers Export 2025 April?

The April 2025 price recovery to $0.26/kg (+30% from March) reflects post-Q1 inventory adjustments, while a 33% volume drop suggests demand shifts. External factors like US tariffs on non-USMCA plastics further influenced volatility.

Q2. Who are the main partner countries in this Mexico Polyethylene Polymers Export 2025 April?

The US dominates with 58.75% of weight share (33.97% value), followed by the Netherlands (13.62% value) and Spain (7.56% value), which purchase higher-value grades.

Q3. Why does the unit price differ across Mexico Polyethylene Polymers Export 2025 April partner countries?

Price gaps stem from grade specialization: bulk high-density polyethylene (e.g., HS 39012001 at $0.33/kg) ships to the US, while Europe buys premium copolymers like ethylene-alpha-olefin (up to $0.48/kg).

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

Prioritize retaining high-volume US buyers (97% of trade) through cost-efficient logistics, while developing specialty grades for European premium markets to diversify revenue.

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

US buyers benefit from stable bulk supply but face tariff risks, while European buyers access higher-margin specialty grades. Latin American buyers receive consistent mid-tier volumes.

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

The trade focuses on standardized industrial resins for packaging, construction, and consumer goods, with high-density grades favored for rigid applications like containers.

Q7. What is yTrade?

yTrade is a global trade data platform that provides SaaS and API access to provide accurate, structured, and searchable import-export trade data for international business decisions. It enables users to access verified shipment records, analyse buyer and supplier activity, review company trade overviews, assess compliance risks, and monitor real market demand — all from a single, scalable system.

Q8. How can yTrade benefit my business?

yTrade helps businesses:

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Q9. What features does yTrade offer?

yTrade provides practical, trade-focused tools including:

  • Global shipment search by HS code, product, company name, port, or country
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