Introduction: In May 2026, China's styrene imports totaled only 869.339 tons, remaining below 1,000 tons for the third consecutive month, down 94.45% year-on-year. On the export side, volumes stayed high, with a year-on-year increase of 271.96%. Market expectations indicate that China's styrene imports will remain scarce in June 2026, while exports are expected to decline more significantly.
1. Import and Export Data Overview
In May 2026, China's styrene imports were 0.09 million tons (i.e., 900 tons), up 26.09% month-on-month and down 94.45% year-on-year, with a monthly average price of $1,234.77 per ton. Cumulative imports from January to May reached 1.79 million tons, down 81.51% year-on-year, remaining at a low level not seen in nearly a decade. China's styrene imports in May 2026 were still very scarce.
2. Export Data Overview
In May 2026, China's styrene exports were 189,900 tons (i.e., 18.99 million tons in the original unit of 10,000 tons? Wait, original says "18.99万吨", which is 189,900 tons. But later table shows "189,859.853" tons. I'll use the more precise table value. Let's keep consistent: original "18.99万吨" equals 189,900 tons. But table says "189,859.853" tons. I'll use table values where available. For description, use the rounded number from text: 18.99万吨, but translation in tons: 189,900 tons. However, to be accurate, I'll use the exact numbers from tables. But description says "18.99万吨", so I'll translate as 189,900 tons. For consistency, I'll use the rounded number from text. However, later in export summary, original says "18.99万吨", so in English: 189,900 tons. But table total is 189,859.853 tons. Minor difference. I'll keep the text's rounded number to avoid confusion, but note that precise numbers are in tables.
Actually, original text: "2026年5月，中国苯乙烯出口量18.99万吨 ，环比-2.83%，同比+271.96%，月均价1354.59美元/吨。1-5月累计出口量58.45万吨，同比+223.12%". So 18.99万吨 = 189,900 tons. That's fine.
Thus: In May 2026, China's styrene exports were 189,900 tons, down 2.83% month-on-month and up 271.96% year-on-year, with a monthly average price of $1,354.59 per ton. Cumulative exports from January to May were 584,500 tons, up 223.12% year-on-year, marking the second highest monthly export volume for styrene in the past decade (the highest being in April 2026 at 195,400 tons). The main reasons include the peak season for intercontinental plant maintenance, reduced output from foreign facilities, continued restrictions in the Strait of Hormuz, and relatively low Chinese styrene prices under high costs, offering strong arbitrage opportunities. China's styrene exports maintained relatively good performance in April and May.
3. Import and Export Structure
3.1 Imports
3.1.1 Trading Partners
In May 2026, China's styrene imports were 900 tons (0.09 million tons), up 26.09% month-on-month and down 94.45% year-on-year. Among them, imports from Russia were the highest, totaling 867.695 tons, accounting for 99.81% of total imports in May.
May 2026 China Styrene Import Volume by Trading Partner
| Trading Partner | Import Volume (tons) | Value (USD) | Average Price (USD/ton) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Russia | 867.695 | 1,066,899 | 1,229.58 |
| South Korea | 1.614 | 4,925 | 3,051.43 |
| Germany | 0.014 | 792 | 56,571.43 |
| Netherlands | 0.012 | 772 | 64,333.33 |
| United States | 0.004 | 44 | 11,000.00 |
| Total | 869.339 | 1,073,432 | 1,234.77 |
3.1.2 Trade Mode
In May 2026, China's styrene imports were 900 tons, up 26.09% month-on-month and down 94.45% year-on-year. Only one trade mode was used for imports in May: general trade.
May 2026 China Styrene Import Volume by Trade Mode
| Trade Mode | Import Volume (tons) | Value (USD) | Average Price (USD/ton) |
|---|---|---|---|
| General Trade | 869.339 | 1,073,432 | 1,234.77 |
3.1.3 Place of Registration (Enterprise)
In May 2026, China's styrene imports were 900 tons, up 26.09% month-on-month and down 94.45% year-on-year. By enterprise registration place, imports came from three provinces. Data shows that styrene imports in May mainly entered through Hebei Province, with 867.695 tons, accounting for 99.81% of total imports.
May 2026 China Styrene Import Volume by Enterprise Registration Place
| Registration Place | Import Volume (tons) | Value (USD) | Average Price (USD/ton) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hebei Province | 867.695 | 1,066,899 | 1,229.58 |
| Liaoning Province | 1.6 | 4,541 | 2,838.13 |
| Shanghai | 0.044 | 1,992 | 45,272.73 |
| Total | 869.339 | 1,073,432 | 1,234.77 |
3.2 Exports
3.2.1 Trading Partners
In May 2026, China's styrene exports were 189,900 tons, down 2.83% month-on-month and up 271.96% year-on-year, with a monthly average price of $1,354.59 per ton. Exports were made to 28 countries and regions. Customs data shows that the highest export volume was to India, at 59,771.703 tons, accounting for 31.48% of total exports. The top three destinations were India, South Korea, and Malaysia, with combined exports of 122,800 tons, representing 64.67% of the total. These were the key export destinations for domestic styrene in May.
May 2026 China Styrene Export Volume by Country/Region
| Trading Partner | Export Volume (tons) | Value (USD) | Average Price (USD/ton) |
|---|---|---|---|
| India | 59,771.703 | 83,339,520 | 1,394.30 |
| South Korea | 47,986.4 | 63,463,461 | 1,322.53 |
| Malaysia | 15,020.773 | 19,773,507 | 1,316.41 |
| Hong Kong, China | 12,166.107 | 15,408,790 | 1,266.53 |
| Turkey | 10,992.288 | 14,960,689 | 1,361.02 |
| Netherlands | 9,560.28 | 12,256,480 | 1,282.02 |
| Vietnam | 9,249.218 | 12,632,630 | 1,365.81 |
| Japan | 9,028.8 | 12,254,546 | 1,357.27 |
| Taiwan, China | 4,953.523 | 6,637,721 | 1,340.00 |
| Indonesia | 2,748.695 | 4,018,108 | 1,461.82 |
| Egypt | 2,607.269 | 3,715,358 | 1,425.00 |
| South Africa | 1,651.311 | 2,273,590 | 1,376.84 |
| Brazil | 677.7 | 980,653 | 1,447.03 |
| Peru | 606.6 | 953,523 | 1,571.91 |
| Pakistan | 584.84 | 940,705 | 1,608.48 |
| Australia | 567.07 | 864,449 | 1,524.41 |
| Ecuador | 504.72 | 783,112 | 1,551.58 |
| Kenya | 367.92 | 631,063 | 1,715.22 |
| Philippines | 268.7 | 422,235 | 1,571.40 |
| Bangladesh | 204.6 | 336,756 | 1,645.92 |
| Sri Lanka | 106.8 | 172,467 | 1,614.86 |
| Singapore | 78.9 | 123,962 | 1,571.13 |
| Venezuela | 75.6 | 125,012 | 1,653.60 |
| Guatemala | 44 | 60,200 | 1,368.18 |
| Canada | 23.04 | 30,038 | 1,303.73 |
| Kazakhstan | 10.08 | 17,335 | 1,719.74 |
| North Korea | 1.62 | 3,187 | 1,967.28 |
| Russia | 1.296 | 3,268 | 2,521.60 |
| Total | 189,859.853 | 257,182,365 | 1,354.59 |
3.2.2 Trade Mode
In May 2026, China's styrene exports were 189,900 tons, down 2.83% month-on-month and up 271.96% year-on-year. Two trade modes were used for exports in May. General trade accounted for 181,733.372 tons, representing 95.72% of total exports.
May 2026 China Styrene Export Volume by Trade Mode
| Trade Mode | Export Volume (tons) | Value (USD) | Average Price (USD/ton) |
|---|---|---|---|
| General Trade | 181,733.372 | 246,066,612 | 1,354.00 |
| Processing Trade (Inward Processing) | 8,126.481 | 11,115,753 | 1,367.84 |
| Total | 189,859.853 | 257,182,365 | 1,354.59 |
3.2.3 Place of Registration (Enterprise)
In May 2026, China's styrene exports were 189,900 tons, down 2.83% month-on-month and up 271.96% year-on-year. By enterprise registration place, exports came from 10 provinces. Zhejiang Province recorded the highest export volume at 72,109.02 tons, accounting for 37.98% of total exports.
May 2026 China Styrene Export Volume by Enterprise Registration Place
| Registration Place | Export Volume (tons) | Value (USD) | Average Price (USD/ton) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Zhejiang Province | 72,109.02 | 97,636,892 | 1,354.02 |
| Shanghai | 41,625.594 | 57,997,830 | 1,393.32 |
| Jiangsu Province | 36,259.584 | 46,948,747 | 1,294.80 |
| Fujian Province | 16,117.923 | 21,714,413 | 1,347.22 |
| Tianjin | 14,319.081 | 19,454,549 | 1,358.65 |
| Shandong Province | 4,416.497 | 6,359,335 | 1,439.90 |
| Liaoning Province | 3,290.784 | 4,364,322 | 1,326.23 |
| Henan Province | 1,183.9 | 1,893,992 | 1,599.79 |
| Guangdong Province | 523.07 | 789,101 | 1,508.60 |
| Anhui Province | 14.4 | 23,184 | 1,610.00 |
| Total | 189,859.853 | 257,182,365 | 1,354.59 |
4. Trend Forecast
According to current market information, China's styrene imports in June 2026 are expected to remain below 10,000 tons, while exports are projected to be around 100,000 tons, a significant decrease from May but still a substantial year-on-year increase. Domestic styrene supply remains ample, with recent capacity utilization rates mostly maintained around 70%, leading to intense competition in the domestic market. In terms of pricing, Chinese styrene prices are lower than intercontinental market prices. However, starting from mid-to-late May, the price spread between China and neighboring East Asian countries has theoretically narrowed, and the arbitrage window had largely closed by early June. It is expected that China's styrene exports to the Far East will decrease starting in June. Additionally, the ongoing conflict in the Middle East continues to affect the market, making it difficult for Middle Eastern styrene to enter China, while also impacting China's styrene exports to the European market. As US-Iran negotiations deepen, crude oil prices have declined, dragging down aromatics prices, and styrene prices in the intercontinental market have followed with varying degrees of correction. The price spreads between China and the US, and between China and Europe, indicate that regional arbitrage windows are gradually closing. China's styrene exports are expected to decrease. Overall, it is anticipated that starting in June, China's styrene imports will remain at low levels, while exports are expected to decline.
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