Higher shipments to China were a key factor in the August rebound.

US-reported exports of polyethylene (all grades combined) totaled 10.2 million tons through August 2026, down 2% from August 2025. Mexico, China, and Belgium remained the leading destinations, collectively accounting for over 30% of monthly US polyethylene exports throughout 2026.

Following several months of lower shipments, US polyethylene exports rebounded sharply in August, returning to levels last seen in March, at the start of the Iranian conflict. Increased exports to China were an important contributor to the recovery.

US exports to China were 229,000 tons in August, up from 142,000 tons in July. Exports to Belgium and Mexico eased in August. (Worth noting, China also reported higher polyethylene imports from Middle East sources in August – ITP.)

From International Trader Publications’ World Trade Analyses, continuously updated analyses based on the latest statistics from all available countries.