In May 2026, China’s domestic HDPE market maintained a net export pattern, marking the second consecutive month of this historic shift.
Statistics show China’s total PE exports hit 516,000 tons in May, exceeding monthly imports of 508,900 tons for the first time. Among them, HDPE exports stood at 246,300 tons. Although the figure edged down month-on-month, it skyrocketed by an impressive 426.55% year-on-year.
Geopolitical tensions in the Middle East persisted from April to May, disrupting shipping through the Strait of Hormuz. As a result, Vietnam, Malaysia and other countries that traditionally relied on Middle Eastern supplies rushed to source materials from China. Vietnam ranked first and Malaysia second among China’s top HDPE export destinations in May, consistent with the ranking recorded in April.
Meanwhile, domestic downstream demand weakened, coupled with disrupted supply chains from the Middle East. China’s HDPE imports reached 212,700 tons in May, dropping sharply by 17.25% month-on-month. Plunging imports paired with robust exports further amplified the net export trend.
Signs of easing tensions emerged in the Middle East in June, yet uncertainties remain. Amid the global demand off-season, HDPE exports are projected to decline month-on-month in June while staying higher year-on-year; imports are also expected to fall sequentially. Sustaining the net export landscape for the industry faces notable headwinds.
Post time: Jun-26-2026