Brief Summary of Pure Benzene Trends in March (March 1, 2026 - March 31, 2026) in China

March 31st News

I. Price Trends

According to the commodity market analysis system, the market price of pure benzene in Shandong region of China fluctuated and fell this month. The price on March 1st was 6,160 CNY/ton; the price on March 31st was 8,586.67 CNY/ton, an increase of 39.39% from the beginning of the month. Affected by the war in the Middle East and shipping in the Strait of Hormuz, the highest price of pure benzene this month was on March 9th at 12,002.33 CNY/ton.

II. Market Analysis

Pure benzene: Today, the market price of pure benzene in China continued to rise. International crude oil futures increased, and the price of pure benzene in the external market went up. At the end of the month, contract customers in China actively replenished their inventories for delivery, which boosted market transaction volumes. Recently, local refineries in Shandong have been releasing more pure benzene, leading to a price increase. The price of pure benzene from Sinopec's refineries in East China and South China remained stable at 9,000 CNY/ton, effective from March 30. It is expected that the pure benzene market will experience minor fluctuations in the short term.

This month, Sinopec's pure benzene price in China was increased by 2700 CNY/ton to 9000 CNY/ton.

Downstream aspects

III. Future Market Forecast

Crude Oil Futures: On March 30, international crude oil futures continued to rise. The settlement price for the May contract of U.S. WTI crude oil futures was $102.88 per barrel, an increase of $3.24, or 3.3%. The settlement price for the June contract of Brent crude oil futures was $107.39 per barrel, an increase of $2.07, or 2.0%.

Foreign market pure benzene: As of March 30, the FOB Korea price for pure benzene rose by $30 to $1,148 per ton, while the CFR China price increased by $30 to $1,157 per ton. The FOB Rotterdam price climbed by $34 to $1,200 per ton, and the FOB USG price remained stable at 413 cents per gallon.

Overall forecast: Affected by the war in the Middle East and shipping in the Strait of Hormuz, the overall market sentiment for pure benzene is expected to be strong in the short term. It is still necessary to closely monitor news related to cost and demand. Continue to follow the trends in crude oil and foreign markets, as well as the dynamics of pure benzene and downstream facilities, and changes in demand, which will impact the price of pure benzene.