Anti-dumping duties on North American suppliers and disruption in Middle East supply were major factors.
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PE Global Trade Down 4% May 2026 YTD: Lower Exports From the Middle East Partly Offset by Higher Shipments From APAC; North American Shipments 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 readingMexico and Canada, Importing Under the USMCA, Accounted for 19% of Total US Exports of Polyethylene in 2025, Down from 28% in 2021
The decline as a percentage of US total exports mainly reflected the rapid expansion of US exports worldwide. The USMCA is currently being reviewed; its renewal is uncertain.
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 readingProfound Changes in South Korea’s Polyolefins Trade in April 2026: Record Imports of Polymer & Fabricated Plastic Products; Steep Drop in Exports; Soaring Prices
The Iranian conflict and resulting constraints on feedstocks and raw materials were apparent in Korea’s trade in April.
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 readingIranian Exports of Anhydrous Ammonia, Ethylene Glycol, Polyethylene, and Methanol Accounted for 16%-61% of Total Middle East Exports in 2025
Export statistics published by the Iranian government show much higher volumes than are visible from trading partner import statistics, largely because a great deal of Iranian material is transshipped through other Middle Eastern countries, noting especially UAE.
Continue readingTrends in Polyethylene Global Trade, 2021-2025; Implications for 2026
The ITP Indicator of polyethylene global trade showed a volume of 72.2 million tons in 2025, up 1% from 2024. The upward trend visible since 2023 will likely be disrupted in 2026.
Continue readingPolyethylene Exports from the Middle East – Impact of Supply Disruption
Exports from Iran have ended and global trade flows are being impacted by the conflict that began February 28, 2026, spreading to other suppliers in the region, and delaying or rerouting shipments of polyethylene through the Strait of Hormuz. Middle East exports of polyethylene in 2025 (18.7 million tons) represented 43% of total global exports of 43.8 million tons.
Continue readingUS-Canada Polyethylene Trade in 2025 Negatively Impacted by Fluctuating Tariff Policies
Uncertainty created by the “Liberation Day” policies announced by the US in April contributed to a drop in trade between the US and Canada for the year, and also led to greater efforts by both countries to increase exports abroad.
The renegotiation of the USMCA, which governs trade between the US, Mexico, and Canada is scheduled for later in 2026. Until this is finalized, tariff uncertainty will continue.
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