Trade Information

Japan's chemical imports from China jumped in March as Middle East supply disruptions hit domestic output, raising concerns over long-term reliance on lower-cost Chinese materials and industry competitiveness.

China's crude salt imports fell in March 2026 while exports dropped sharply, with India remaining the dominant supplier and key Asian markets leading export destinations, customs data showed.

China's imports of U.S. ethane are set to reach a record high in April as Middle East conflict disrupts naphtha and LPG supplies, forcing Asian petrochemical producers to seek alternative feedstocks.

The United Arab Emirates will exit OPEC and OPEC+ on May 1, a move set to weaken the group's control over global oil supply and prices while reshaping energy markets worldwide.

China's industrial firms posted 15.5% profit growth in Q1, driven by strong manufacturing and private sector gains, while key industries showed mixed performance across segments.

Iraq's oil exports have plunged as the Strait of Hormuz closure disrupts shipments, cuts billions in revenue, and exposes major risks to global energy markets and investors.

China's caustic soda output climbed 6.2% year on year in March 2026, driven by steady demand from alumina, paper, textiles and detergents, while raw salt production declined 1.1%, official data showed.

China imported 41,600 tons of EDC in March 2026, down 14.24% year-on-year but up 139.65% month-on-month, while exports fell to zero, according to the latest China Customs data.

China's Q1 2026 seafood imports soared as white shrimp, Atlantic salmon, Alaska pollock, squid and cuttlefish shipments surged amid strong market demand and supply recovery.

U.S. President Donald Trump said the United States has fully taken control of the Strait of Hormuz amid escalating tensions with Iran, as Tehran rejects the claim and both sides trade warnings over maritime control.

Global oil prices jumped over 3% after renewed attacks in the Strait of Hormuz despite a claimed U.S. ceasefire, intensifying supply concerns and forcing airlines to cut capacity worldwide.

Rising crude oil prices are pushing costs through the pharmaceutical supply chain, with vitamins and sartan APIs leading price increases as capacity cuts and supply disruptions reshape the market.

EU fuel prices surged in March, with diesel rising over 19% month-on-month and gasoline up more than 10%, according to Eurostat, highlighting broad inflationary pressure across member states.

Rising tensions from the U.S.–Israel–Iran conflict are tightening global supply chains, with Europe facing jet fuel shortages, while agriculture and manufacturing see rising cost and input pressures.

China's plastic products output rose 5.2% year-on-year to 11.85 million tonnes in January-February 2026, led by strong production in eastern regions and top provinces including Zhejiang and Guangdong, official data showed.

China's PVC exports decline amid weak demand and policy changes, while U.S. VCM prices rise at a slower pace as global markets face seasonal softness, supply adjustments, and increasing competition.

Europe‘s petrochemical sector centers on the ARA hub and Rhine corridor, with Antwerp, Rotterdam and Ludwigshafen driving supply chains as high energy costs and carbon rules push a shift toward low-carbon production.

China's ethylene imports increased 9.18% year-on-year in January–February 2026 despite a sharp February decline, while exports fell over 98%, highlighting strong import reliance and weak outbound trade activity.

Global urea supply chains are under severe strain as geopolitical conflict, energy price spikes, and infrastructure disruptions trigger widespread production cuts, tightening fertilizer availability ahead of spring planting season.

Global ethylene capacity cuts are reshaping trade flows, with China, the U.S., and the Middle East emerging as key exporters. China now faces pressure to cut costs and scale high-end materials to address structural imbalances.

China's dichloromethane and chloroform trade showed sharp volatility in Jan–Feb 2026, with exports far exceeding imports and shipments highly concentrated in a few key overseas markets.

China's propylene oxide imports and exports declined sharply in early 2026, with Thailand remaining the dominant supplier and Cambodia the main export destination, according to customs data.

China's CPI rose 1.0% year-on-year in March 2026, driven by higher non-food and service prices, while food costs showed mixed trends and month-on-month inflation declined 0.7%.

China's economy grew 5.0% in Q1 2026, driven by strong industrial output, rising exports, and steady services expansion, while investment stabilized and consumption showed gradual recovery.

OPEC lowered its Q2 2026 global oil demand forecast by 500,000 bpd due to Middle East disruptions but maintained full-year growth expectations, signaling temporary weakness in near-term demand.

China's trichloroethylene and perchloroethylene exports jumped sharply in early 2026, with January–February volumes rising up to 225% year-on-year despite a month-on-month slowdown in February shipments.

China's hydrogen chloride trade showed mixed momentum in early 2026, with imports falling 8.8% in February while exports surged over 120% year-on-year, driven by strong demand from Asia-Pacific and Africa.

China's foreign trade rose 15% year-on-year to RMB 11.84 trillion in Q1 2026, driven by surging imports, resilient exports, and rapid growth in green sectors such as electric vehicles and lithium batteries.

China's producer prices rose 0.5% year-on-year in March 2026, reversing February's decline, while input costs climbed 0.8%, signaling a recovery in upstream industrial pricing despite continued weakness in consumer goods.

China's meat imports in early 2026 show diverging trends: beef volumes surged despite monthly declines, while pork, lamb, and poultry imports fell sharply, with shifting product structures and supplier dynamics.