Polyethylene Africa prices, markets & analysis

The ICIS African polyethylene (PE) report covers import costs and freight (CFR) prices in northern, southern, eastern and western Africa, as well as domestic free delivered (FD) rand prices in South Africa on a weekly basis.

Information is taken from key industry players, such as producers, buyers, traders and distributors.

The ICIS African PE price report focuses on film grades of low density polyethylene (LDPE), linear low density polyethylene (LLDPE) and high density polyethylene (HDPE) but also looks at wider issues and events in the global PE market.

The report provides a benchmark for a number of players, but also gives essential information about the upstream and downstream movements – and offers a global context, helping players make informed decisions.

In the past, African players used a formula based on the ICIS Asian PE report, plus freight, in order to calculate African import prices. But Africa is a diverse continent, with its own supply and demand dynamic, and this method is becoming increasingly outdated.

Currency and freight rate fluctuations also have a large impact on prices.

Consumption in Africa is increasing. Recently, we have seen more producers take steps to build a presence and reputation on the continent, and do more direct business with large consumers, rather than acting through traders.

This ICIS report is essential for those players wanting to stay one step ahead of the game, and offers in-depth analysis of the market and current and future trends. The report brings the most up-to-date news, in terms of pricing movements, consumer demand and changes to supply (such as production updates).

Price history

ICIS collects pricing data on a wide range of chemical, energy and fertilizer products, including Polyethylene. Our extensive experience in price reporting means we can offer you access to historical data dating back more than 20 years for certain commodities.

Our time series of pricing data enables you to build and model trends, to get a view of where markets might be heading. The data service includes charting functionality, allowing you to chart and download multiple data series for manipulation in your own internal models. You can also export data to Excel via the ICIS dashboard service.

Specialist reports

ICIS price assessments are based on information gathered from a wide cross-section of the market, comprising consumers, producers, traders and distributors from more than 250 reporters world-wide. Confirmed deals, verified by both buyer and seller, provide the foundation of our price assessments.

Our in-depth market knowledge drives our specialist focus, as we recognise the importance of individual market dynamics and not a one-size-fits-all approach.

Over 25 years of reporting on key chemicals markets, including polyethylene, has brought global recognition of our methodology as being unbiased, authoritative and rigorous in preserving our editorial integrity. Our global network of reporters in Houston, London, Singapore, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Mumbai, Perth and Moscow ensures unrivalled coverage of established and emerging markets.