Chinese PP producers have maintained a firm stance on export prices this week, despite diminishing overseas demand and intensifying competition. The continued strength of the Yuan against the US dollar is exacerbating export challenges, preventing producers’ ability to deplete their stocks ahead of the weeklong National Day holiday.
Shenhua Auction Platform concluded the first trading session of the week on a mixed note, reflecting the demand disparities between the grades. While LLDPE secured a satisfactory number of transactions, Chinese bidders were unfazed by the presence of lower-priced homo-PP cargoes.
In September, the Taiwanese maker opened its price list to Southeast Asia at $805/ton based on CIF terms. Sources expect that new offers for October loading would drop sharply to close the existing price gap with Chinese cargoes.
Market analysts attribute this slight uptick in sentiment to the Chinese government’s renewed efforts to revive the ailing property sector, including the relaxation of purchasing restrictions for non-local buyers in key cities like Beijing and Shanghai.