India and Vietnam were key export destinations but shipments were up to numerous destinations, noting, especially, countries in Eastern Europe and Africa. Trade within the Asia-Pacific region expanded by 13%, to 2.8 million tons. (PVC is combined uncompounded and compounded polymer.)
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Polyethylene Global Trade Down 4% May 2026 YTD From May 2025 YTD, Lower Exports From the Middle East Partly Offset by Higher Shipments From Asia-Pacific. North American Shipments Were Flat as Regional Flows Shifted.
Polyethylene global trade (all grades combined) is projected at 29.0 million tons through May 2026, a decline of 1.4 million tons from May 2025 YTD.
Continue readingAnhydrous Ammonia Global Trade Down 14% May 2026 YTD From May 2025 YTD on Much Lower Middle East Exports. North American and Chinese Shipments Surged.
Anhydrous ammonia global trade is projected at 6.6 million tons through May 2026, down from 7.2 million tons May 2025 YTD.
Continue readingTrends in Polyethylene Film/Sheet Global Trade 2015-2025
The volume of PE film/sheet traded globally increased by 2.6 million tons from 2015 to 2025. Imports into every region grew, as did trade within each region. Shipments by suppliers in Asia-Pacific and Eastern European surged. Trade flows in 2026 will be impacted heavily by the ongoing Middle East conflict.
Continue readingTrends in Polyethylene Bags/Sacks Global Trade 2015-2025
Global trade generally trended higher over the ten-year period, volume in 2025 at 5 million tons, up from 3.8 million tons in 2015. Key regional changes included much higher imports into Western Europe and North America, expanded exports out of Asia-Pacific and Eastern Europe, and increased intra-regional trade within virtually all regions. As bags and sacks are an important end-use for PE polymer, trade flows are being impacted by the on-going the Middle East conflict, especially in Asia-Pacific.
Continue readingChina’s Imports of Polyethylene and Polypropylene Sank in April 2026; Exports Soared
China’s imports of polyethylene and polypropylene in April 2026 fell to record lows for the January 2022-April 2026 period. China’s exports of polyethylene and polypropylene set new record highs.
Continue readingUS Exports of Linear Polyethylene Hit a Record in March 2026 as Trade Flows Shift Globally
Half of the world’s polyethylene comes from the Middle East and some of it is on, estimated by Al Jezeera, 2000 vessels still stuck in the Strait of Hormuz.
Continue readingUS Imports of Polyethylene Bags May Face Additional Tariffs
As reported in Plastics News, US retail plastic bag makers have filed a petition with the US government requesting an additional 25% tariff on bags from China, Indonesia, Malaysia, Taiwan, Thailand, and Vietnam.
Continue readingSharp Drop in China’s Imports of Methanol from the Middle East in March 2026
The impact of the Iranian conflict that began February 28, 2026 was evident in China’s methanol imports in March.
Continue readingTrends in Polypropylene Homopolymer Global Trade, 2021-2025; Implications for 2026
The Middle East is the world’s largest polypropylene exporting region. The conflict in the region, now entering its second month, continues to restrict not only exports of polymer, but also of feedstocks. Global trends in 2026 will likely be vastly altered from the past, with tight supplies, higher prices, and a major restructuring of trade routes for as long as the conflict continues, and beyond.
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