US exports YTD to Europe, Africa, and Canada were up; shipments to Latin America and Asia-Pacific fell.
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Brazil’s PE Import Sources Shifted Dramatically June 2026 YTD vs 2025; Much Lower Volumes From North America Largely Offset by Surge in PE from APAC, Middle East, and Others
Anti-dumping duties on North American suppliers and disruption in Middle East supply were major factors.
Continue readingUS Polyethylene Exports Increased Again in 2025 on Gains to Latin America, Western Europe, and Other Regions
US exports of polyethylene (all grades combined) reached 15.7 million tons in 2025, up from 13.8 million tons in 2023, based on US export statistics.
Continue readingOver 2020-2025, China – the World’s Largest Polypropylene Importer – Reduced Imports by Roughly 50% and Increased Exports by 600%
The addition of massive Chinese capacity dramatically impacted global trade flows.
Continue readingChina’s Changing Role in Global Polyethylene Trade
China continues as the world’s largest PE importer but its percentage share of global trade volume has fallen over the 2020-2025 period. China’s imports are projected to decline further; China’s exports, to increase.
Continue readingImplications of Venezuela’s Rising Imports of Polyethylene
Venezuela’s imports of polyethylene have risen over most of the 2010-2025 period while exports have been negligible. The dramatic United States military intervention in Venezuela on January 3, 2026 and the stated US intention to upgrade the country’s oil industry raises the possibility that a corollary upgrade of the country’s petrochemical capacity may also be considered.
Continue readingNew POM Capacity in China is Projected to Lower Global Trade Volume in 2025 by 6% from 2024, to 1.2 Million Tons
Lower imports into China, together with rising exports from China, will impact trade flows out of Western Europe, North America, and the Middle East.
Continue readingUAE Polyethylene and Polypropylene Exports Are Projected to Decline in 2025, with Losses in Asia-Pacific Only Partly Offset by Gains in Eastern Europe, Africa, and Latin America; Historic Data Shows Major Re-Exports
UAE exports of polyethylene (all grades) are projected at 3.8 million tons yearend 2025, down 1%; polypropylene, 1.6 million tons, down 6% (based on import statistics from all available publishing countries, as the UAE does not publish timely statistics). The latest export data for UAE, for 2023 (from UN Comtrade), shows much lower exports out of UAE than is reported by trading partners as imports from UAE as the country of origin.
Continue readingUS Polyethylene Exports Shift to Other Regions, Offsetting Lower Volumes to Asia-Pacific
The US exported 9.1 million tons of polyethylene (all grades combined) through July 2025, up 5% from the same period in 2024. Trade with Asia-Pacific slowed, but there were strong gains to Eastern Europe and Africa and moderate increases to Western Europe and Latin America. Average prices remained depressed.
Continue readingUS Ethane Exports to China Expected to Rebound in July
The US imposed restrictions on ethane exports to China in late May and early June. Restrictions have since eased and exports are expected to rise.
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