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.
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Methanol Global Trade Down 12% May 2026 YTD From May 2025 YTD on Much Lower Middle East Exports to Asia-Pacific and Western Europe.
Through May 2026, 13.2 million tons of methanol were traded globally, a decline of 1.9 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 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 Methanol Global Trade 2021-2025; Implications for 2026
Global trade in methanol has been relatively steady around 40 million tons per year from 2023-2025. Volume in 2026 is expected to be lower because of the current conflict in the Middle East, the world’s largest methanol exporting region.
Continue readingTrends in Anhydrous Ammonia Global Trade 2021-2025; Implications for 2026
Global trade patterns in anhydrous ammonia shifted to counter the effect of the Ukraine-Russia conflict that began in 2022. The current shutdown of the Strait of Hormuz, through which a major part of the world’s anhydrous ammonia is shipped (in addition to the natural gas that is used for anhydrous ammonia production in other regions), will again disrupt trade flows and also threaten the global fertilizer outlook.
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