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.

The US exports roughly half of its ethane to China, with most of the rest going to Canada, India, the EU, Mexico and Brazil, among others.

US export statistics showed a drop in shipments to China in March, with an increase to ROW. Exports to China gradually increase in April and May. June figures for US exports, however, will be complicated by the fact that US vessels were loaded and cleared Customs during that month, but were not able to offload.

From International Trader Publications World Trade Analyses.