Over 835,000 tons of benzene were imported into the US through May 2014, up 20% from the same period last year. As US crackers continue the trend to lighter feedstocks, lower US benzene production and increased benzene imports are likely.  

Particularly heavy import volume was seen from March through May of 2014, South Korea, Japan and the Netherlands leading volume and growth suppliers.

US imports of benzene have risen nearly every year over the last five years, from 1.4 million tons in 2009 to 1.8 million tons in 2013.