1. Product & Market Overview
Polyethylene (PE) is one of the most widely consumed general-purpose synthetic resins globally, serving as a critical base material connecting upstream feedstocks to end-use manufacturing across packaging, agricultural film, pipes, home appliances, automotive, and new energy sectors. The global PE market was valued at approximately USD 120 billion in 2025 and is projected to reach USD 165.46 billion by 2030, growing at a CAGR of 4–5% during 2025–2030.
In H1 2026, China’s polyethylene exports entered a rapid growth phase, with suppliers expanding from traditional Asian markets into Latin America, Africa, and other emerging regions. This shift reflects structural changes in domestic supply dynamics and ongoing adjustments in global polyethylene trade flows.
2. Export Price Trends
China PE Export Average Price (H1 2022 – H1 2026)
| Period | Average Export Price (USD/KG) | YoY Growth Rate |
|---|---|---|
| H1 2022 | 2.35 | +9.92% |
| H1 2023 | 1.75 | -25.07% |
| H1 2024 | 1.60 | -10.30% |
| H1 2025 | 1.47 | -5.24% |
| H1 2026 | 1.53 | +4.14% |
Data Analysis:
The data shows a four-year decline from H1 2022 through H1 2025, followed by a recovery in H1 2026 when the average price rose 4.14% year-on-year to 1.53 USD/KG. This rebound was driven by two primary factors: (1) elevated international crude oil and petrochemical feedstock prices raised ethylene production costs, providing support for PE export prices; and (2) China’s PE industry continued upgrading toward higher-performance, higher-value-added products, with an increased share of premium film-grade and specialty materials in the export mix. Additionally, global supply chain adjustments and stronger demand for stable supply from certain overseas markets enhanced Chinese exporters’ pricing power.
3. Overall Export Performance – H1 2026
According to customs data, China‘s polyethylene (HS: 39011000) exports in H1 2026 reached USD 575 million in value and 376,000 tonnes in volume, representing year-on-year increases of USD 378 million (+191.61%) and 241,000 tonnes (+180.02%), respectively.
China exported to 132 countries and regions during the period, an increase of 16 destinations compared to H1 2025. More than 80% of markets recorded positive year-on-year export value growth, and among the top 20 destinations, 11 markets achieved growth exceeding 200%.
4. Regional & Country Analysis
4.1 Continental Distribution
Asia remained China’s primary PE export destination, accounting for 69.78% of total export volume. Notably, all six continents recorded positive year-on-year growth in H1 2026:
China PE Export by Continent (H1 2026)
| Region | Export Value (USD) | YoY Growth Rate |
|---|---|---|
| Asia | 401 million | +169.70% |
| Africa | 72.18 million | +189.57% |
| Europe | 46.21 million | +203.21% |
| Latin America | 43.29 million | +682.18% |
| Oceania | 9.32 million | +734.27% |
| North America | 2.80 million | +74.49% |
Latin America and Oceania recorded the strongest growth rates, signaling a structural expansion of China‘s PE export footprint beyond its traditional Asian core.
4.2 Top Export Destinations
- Vietnam was the largest destination with USD 64.52 million, the only market exceeding USD 50 million. Vietnam’s growing electronics manufacturing sector and relatively weak petrochemical base drive sustained import demand for polyethylene.
- Indonesia (USD 34 million) and Malaysia (USD 32.72 million) ranked second and third.
- Sixteen markets recorded export values between USD 10–50 million, including Thailand, Bangladesh, South Korea, Brazil, and Russia. These economies typically possess sizable plastics processing, packaging, or electronics manufacturing industries whose domestic PE capacity cannot fully meet downstream demand.
- Over 100 markets received exports below USD 10 million, widely distributed across Asia, Africa, and Europe, reflecting an increasingly diversified export layout.
4.3 Brazil Market Spotlight
Brazil emerged as a standout growth market in H1 2026. China‘s PE exports to Brazil surged 1,703.39% year-on-year in value terms, with total volume reaching 112,100 tonnes in H1 2026, compared to just 8,400 tonnes in H1 2025. The monthly export values to Brazil are shown below:
The exponential growth from April onward was driven by multiple factors: Brazil is one of South America’s largest plastics consumer markets with continuously growing PE demand; China‘s competitive industrial chain, supply stability, and diversified overseas market strategy; and Brazil’s anti-dumping duties on U.S. polyethylene imports, which redirected sourcing toward Chinese suppliers.
5. Domestic Export Source Concentration – Top 10 Provinces
China‘s PE exports are highly concentrated in a small number of coastal and eastern provinces:
China PE Export by Province – Top 10 (H1 2026)
| Rank | Province/Municipality | Share of Total Exports |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Zhejiang | 34.63% |
| 2 | Guangdong | 13.91% |
| 3 | Shanghai | 10.70% |
| 4 | Jiangsu | 9.66% |
| 5 | Shandong | 8.40% |
| 6 | Fujian | 6.41% |
| 7 | Hebei | 3.35% |
| 8 | Hainan | 1.98% |
| 9 | Tianjin | 1.85% |
| 10 | Henan | 1.67% |
Zhejiang Province alone accounted for more than one-third of China’s total PE exports, underscoring its dominant role as a petrochemical and export hub. The top five provinces (Zhejiang, Guangdong, Shanghai, Jiangsu, and Shandong) together represent approximately 77% of total exports, reflecting a high degree of geographic concentration driven by industrial infrastructure, port accessibility, and proximity to upstream petrochemical complexes.
6. Key Growth Drivers
- Competitive cost position: China‘s large-scale petrochemical capacity and integrated supply chain provide cost advantages in export markets.
- Product upgrading: A shift toward high-performance film grades and specialty PE materials has supported higher export prices and improved margins.
- Global supply chain realignment: Trade policy changes, including Brazil’s anti-dumping measures on U.S. PE, have opened new market opportunities for Chinese suppliers.
- Diversification strategy: Chinese exporters are actively expanding beyond traditional Asian markets into Latin America, Africa, and Oceania, as evidenced by the 16 additional export destinations added in H1 2026 compared to the prior year.
7. Summary
China‘s polyethylene exports in H1 2026 experienced exceptional growth, with export value nearly tripling year-on-year to USD 575 million. While the average export price recovered modestly (+4.14%) after four consecutive years of decline, the volume surge (+180%) was the primary driver of overall growth. Asia remains the dominant market (69.78% share), but Latin America — particularly Brazil — and other emerging regions delivered the highest growth rates. Domestic exports remain concentrated in eastern coastal provinces, with Zhejiang, Guangdong, and Shanghai together accounting for nearly 60% of total exports. The combination of competitive pricing, product upgrading, and strategic market diversification positions China’s PE export sector for continued expansion in the second half of 2026.
