Japan exported much higher volumes of benzene and ethylene through April, 2012, but shipments of styrene and propylene dropped.

Benzene exports were up 69% YTD, to over 140 K tons, on much higher volumes to Taiwan and China and sizable volumes also to the US. Some material was diverted from South Korea.

Japan exported just over 200 K tons of ethylene through April, up 29%, the increase due primarily to increased volumes to China.

Styrene exports of 347 K tons were down 25% on lower volumes to all three of Japan’s leading markets: South Korea, China and Taiwan.

Also down were Japan’s exports of propylene monomer, off 12%, to 226 K tons, higher shipments to Taiwan  offset by declines to China and South Korea.