North America exported higher volumes of polyethylene to every world region through May 2020, while Middle East exports to every region were down.

North America and the Middle East are the world’s largest exporters of ethylene polymers (combined grades). Year to date though May, 2020, North America shipped 3.9 million tons, up 32% versus the same period last year; the Middle East exported 6.4 million tons, down 9%. (Data is based on earliest available statistics from importing countries representing over 80% of global trade volume.)

North America’s exports were up by 20% to 48% to each region. Middle East exports to the top destinations of Western Europe, Eastern Europe and Asia-Pacific were down by 7% to 11%; shipments to Latin America fell by 38%.

From International Trader Publications’ continuously updated World Trade Reports on global trade in all grades of ethylene polymers: LDPE, LLDPE, EAOC, HDPE, EVA and Other Copolymers.