China’s imports through February 2023 of polyethylene, China’s largest commodity polymer import, showed no change versus February 2022 YTD. Imports of polypropylene posted a moderate increase. On the export side, however, China shipped substantially more of each major commodity polymer than in the same period in 2022.

Chinese New Year started January 22nd and affected most of February. Relatively low imports and high exports were visible in both months. Note in the graphs a similar period of low imports and high exports, from April – July in 2022.

China’s imports and exports, combined grades, through February 2023 were:

Although imports of PE were flat, supplies of this polymer from North America nearly tripled, to 419,000 tons, while imports from the Middle East and Asia-Pacific declined.

China imported higher volumes of PP from the Middle East (UAE and Saudi Arabia) and Eastern Europe (Russia); volumes from Asia-Pacific declined.

Nearly 60% of China’s exports of PVC were to India.

China exported PET to all world regions. Top destinations included: Russia; Philippines; Nigeria; Mexico; and UAE.

From International Trader Publications’ China Polymer Trade Report, a monthly analysis of China’s trade in all grades of commodity polymers, recyclable polymers and leading fabricated plastic products.