Category Archives: Trade Trends

LNG Imports into Western Europe Projected Up 75% in 2019 from 2018

Western Europe will import 63 million tons of LNG by year end 2019, based on projections from latest available statistics. Volumes from Eastern Europe and North America are expected to quadruple; supplies from other regions to rise 22 – 36%.

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Eastern European LNG Trade Spikes

There was a significant spike in Eastern European exports of LNG that largely went to Western Europe, and, a pronounced increase in intraregional trade mainly between Russia and Lithuania.

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Reduced Supplies from Saudi Arabia Adds Pressure on China in the Trade War with US

Saudi Arabia is China’s top supplier of HDPE, LLDPE, MEG, DEG and styrene and also ships large volumes of polypropylene, liquefied butane gas and liquefied propane gas, among others. The recent attack on Saudi oil facilities will reduce exports of polymers and chemicals, at the same time as imports from the US are curtailed by punitive duties.

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US Exports of Recycle Polymers Down 46% as of July 2019; Further Declines Likely From India’s Ban on Recycle Polymer Imports

The US shipped 406,000 tons of recycle polymers through July, 2019, down 46% from the same period in the prior year. China’s total ban on imports of recycle polymers as of 2018 was a key factor in the decline. Further declines in US exports are expected as India has announced it will also ban all recycle polymer imports.

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Slower Growth in Global Trade Projected in 2019 for Liquefied Gases

Latest import/export statistics from all available countries indicate slower growth in global trade volume in 2019 for LNG, liquefied propane gas and liquefied butane gas versus 2018. Because global trade is driven by global demand, the trend in world trade volume generally indicates the trend in world demand.

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Global Trade Projected up 6%-9% in 2019 for Polyethylene; Down Slightly for Polypropylene

Latest import/export statistics from all available countries indicate strong growth in global trade volume for polyethylene by year end 2019 but a contraction for polypropylene. Because global trade is driven by global demand, the trend in world trade volume generally indicates the trend in world demand.

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