Foreword: In April 2026, China's monthly export volume of dichloromethane reached 24,500 tons, surging 56.28% month-on-month, marking the highest monthly export volume in nearly three years. From January to April 2026, China exported a total of 74,900 tons of dichloromethane, up 2.26% year-on-year. China's dichloromethane exports have shown a notable recovery in volume and a steady price recovery trend, with export volumes hitting a new high for the year, effectively alleviating the pressure of high domestic inventories and becoming a core support for balancing supply and demand.
The surge in export volume is driven by three main factors. First, following the easing of conflicts in the Middle East, traditional market demand has rebounded, with steady recovery in Southeast Asia and the Middle East. Key markets such as Vietnam and Turkey have seen increased procurement volumes. The easing of shipping tensions in the Middle East, improved logistics efficiency, combined with China's competitive pricing advantages, have led to a more than 40% quarter-on-quarter increase in orders from traditional markets. Second, high domestic inventories have forced export expansion; weak domestic demand has led to inventory accumulation, prompting companies to increase exports to relieve pressure. In April, domestic prices stabilized, export profit margins recovered, and companies' enthusiasm for exporting significantly increased. Third, starting April 2, India implemented a zero-tariff policy on dichloromethane for three months, directly removing import barriers. In April, China's export volume to India rose to 108 tons, a 100% increase compared to the previous period.
In terms of trading partners, in April, China exported chloromethanes to as many as 70 countries, with the top five export destinations being Turkey, Vietnam, Brazil, Indonesia, and Thailand, accounting for 61% of total exports in April. After the easing of the Middle East conflict, procurement in the region recovered, and Turkey became the top destination.
In terms of enterprise registration locations, Shandong, Zhejiang, Jiangsu, and Guangxi remained the main registration areas, followed by Henan, Shanghai, and other regions, with the top five accounting for 95% of total exports. The regional concentration remains extremely high, with industrial clusters and port advantages shaping the export landscape. 85% of domestic chloromethane production capacity is concentrated in the main export regions, and companies and traders leverage scale, cost, and channel advantages to enhance export competitiveness.
The stable increase in export volume and steady prices of dichloromethane in April reflect the combined effect of external demand dividends and domestic pressure. In the short term, companies should seize the policy window in India, actively expand into emerging markets, and relieve domestic inventory pressure. It is expected that export volumes will stabilize above 20,000 tons in May, supporting domestic prices. In the medium to long term, demand from India may decline after the policy expires, and competition in Southeast Asia and the Middle East will intensify, raising the risk of price wars. On the domestic front, the situation of high inventories and weak domestic demand is unlikely to change in the short term, and exports will remain a key channel for balancing supply and demand. However, due to the difficulty of significantly expanding export markets, it will be challenging to fundamentally reverse the oversupply situation.
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