China’s Chemical Imports Increased and Exports Decreased in January

In January of this year, China’s imports of some chemical products increased and its exports declined. According to customs statistics, in January 2019, the import volume of styrene in China was 395,421,000 tons, the average import price was about 1038.96 US dollars/ton, the import volume increased by 17.63% annually, the import volume increased by 75.28% year on year, and the cumulative import volume increased by 75.28% over the same period last year.

Azodicarbonamide (AC foaming Agent)

“The main reason for the large increase in styrene imports in January 2019 is the increase in imports from Saudi Arabia and Japan. “The total amount of styrene from Saudi Arabia in January 2019 was 103,750.67 tons, up 141.76% annually compared with that in January 2019, and the import volume of styrene from Japan was 82,161.09 tons, up 69.5% annually compared with that in January 2019,” said Zhang Xuemei, an information analyst at Longzhong. South Korea’s imports of styrene in January were 18647.32 tons, down 43.5% annually.

Reporters learned that at the end of December last year, due to strong winds, Jiangyin and other places were closed, resulting in delayed arrival of shipments, some shipments from Saudi Arabia and Japan were postponed to January customs declaration. “The main reason for the recent increase in Saudi imports is that China’s prices are relatively good and there is a certain lure of interest. Downstream mainstream factories have increased their purchases of styrene from stock. “Zhang Xuemei said that around December 25, 2018, the spot price of East China styrene once fell to 7750 yuan/ton, resulting in the willingness of some downstream and traders to copy the bottom, increased market buying gas and increased turnover. Some of the market supply flows to China. In Japan, after the completion of the overhaul, the supply of production resumed, the supply increased, and the export part was transferred to China.

EDTA

According to statistics from the General Administration of Customs, in January 2019, the import volume of MTBE was 20.08 million tons, a ring-to-ring increase of 95.41.08%, a year-on-year increase of 329.35%, and the export volume of MTBE was 0.53 million tons, an increase of 25.86%. “In January, MTBE imports surged and domestic MTBE market prices rose first and then decreased. “Cui Zhen, an information analyst at Zhongyu, said that in early January, downstream users moderately replenished their warehouses and overall turnover improved. MTBE prices in Asia rose, but overall prices remained at a low level. The arbitrage window from Singapore to China remained open for a long time, and domestic entrepreneurs were more enthusiastic about imports. According to customs statistics, Qatar, Thailand and Malaysia were the main importing countries of MTBE in January, with imports of 0.93 million tons, 0.63 million tons and 0.49 million tons, accounting for 44.59%, 30.53% and 23.66% respectively. The imports from other countries were very small.

“In January, the export volume of MTBE decreased slightly compared with that of the previous year, with better domestic demand. The main reason for this is that the exporters’enthusiasm for MTBE decreased, but the overall export volume remained relatively high. “Cui Zhen said. According to customs statistics, the main export countries of China’s MTBE in January were Singapore, India and Japan, with the largest volume of MTBE exported to Singapore, amounting to 0.35 million tons, accounting for 65.76%, India and Japan accounting for 9.06% and 5.1%. In January, the main mode of export trade was general trade, accounting for nearly 100%, and a very small number of logistics goods in special regulatory areas. The main customs declaration place of enterprises was Tianjin, accounting for 64.36%, followed by Jiangsu and Anhui provinces, accounting for 10.08% and 7.53%, respectively.

In February, MTBE import arbitrage window is still mostly open, and the enthusiasm of importers is high. Cui Zhen expects that more shipments will arrive at the port. In February, MTBE import will continue to be at a high level, or will surpass January. MTBE export volume or stable narrow-range consolidation will not fluctuate greatly.

Melamine