Several Middle Eastern producers have revised their PE price offers for February shipments to China, marking reductions compared to previous price lists. This shift was largely anticipated in light of mounting market pressures.
Indonesian buyers have refrained from placing large orders in recent weeks, citing sufficient inventory to last until the end of February. As a result, there are no clear signs of pre-Ramadan stockpiling activity. Buyer caution is further exacerbated by the highly volatile exchange rates.
Spot LLDPE film prices currently command an average premium of CNY 1,147/ton ($157/ton) over key contracts on the Dalian Commodity Exchange, a disparity that has sparked sharp criticism from local traders. Many argue that the recent plunge in futures prices may have been excessive, reflecting an overcorrection rather than market fundamentals.
Despite a downward trend in both PP and PE prices on the Dalian Commodity Exchange, auction sales performance showed resilience, surpassing the previous auction session. The notable discount of CNY 100-120/ton played a key role in stimulating robust buying activity.
Historical data underscores the gravity of the situation. Barring the anomaly of 2020, domestic PVC consumption has remained largely stagnant in recent years. This stagnation, coupled with a sharp increase in domestic production, has squeezed the market for imports while compelling exporters to seek overseas opportunities.