Brazil’s imports soared to record levels in the last half of 2020 and continued there through June of 2021. Exports during the period fell to record lows.

The surge in Brazil’s imports of commodity polymers, most of which is polyethylene, polypropylene and PVC, and the drop in exports are evident below:

Imports of ethylene polymers totaled 722,000 tons through June 2021, up 36%, supplied mainly by the US, followed by Canada, Argentina, Saudi Arabia and China.

Imports of propylene polymers were 296,000 tons, up 53%, sourced primarily from Saudi Arabia, Colombia, China, Argentina and Korea.

PVC imports totaled 407,000 tons, up 154%, Colombia, China and Taiwan the top sources.

From International Trader Publications’ Brazil Polymer Trade Report, a monthly analysis of Brazil’s trade in all grades of polyethylene, polypropylene, styrenics, PVC and PET, recyclable polymers, and key fabricated plastic products.