PE imports into Belarus down by 3% in January-April year on year

MOSCOW (MRC)–Imports of polyethylene (PE) to Belarus decreased by 3% in January-April year on year, according to MRC’s DataScope report.

April PE imports decreased to 8,800 tonnes from 11,100 tonnes a month earlier, according to the National Bureau of Statistics of Belarus. Local companies have reduced the volume of purchases of all types of polyethylene.

In general, total imports of PE reached 40,100 tonnes in the first four months of this year against 41,300 tonnes in the same period a year earlier.

Demand for high density polyethylene (HDPE) and low density polyethylene (LDPE) has risen, while demand for linear polyethylene has seriously declined.

The structure of imports of PE to Belarus for the period under review was as follows:

April imports of LDPE decreased to 3,000 tonnes against 3,300 tonnes a month earlier.

Local companies reduced the volume of polyethylene purchases in Russia, while supplies from Azerbaijan grew.

Total imports of LDPE in Belarus amounted to about 12,100 tonnes in January-April against 11,100 tonnes year on year.

April imports of LLDPE were around 1,500 tonnes against 2,600 tonnes in March, with local companies significantly reducing the volume of purchases of Middle Eastern butene polyethylene.

Thus, during the period under review, total imports of linear polyethylene reached the level of 8,500 tonnes while a year earlier this figure was about 14,600 tonnes.

April imports of HDPE decreased to 4,200 tonnes against 5,200 tonnes a month earlier. Local companies reduced polyethylene purchases from Ukrainian and Russian producers.

Imports of HDPE amounted to about 19,500 tonnes in the first four months, up 24.4% year on year.

MRC, a partner of ICIS, produces polymers news and pricing reports from Russia, Ukraine, Belarus, Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan.