Belarus January-August PE imports rise by 2.2% year on year

Imports of polyethylene (PE) into Belarus grew by 2.2% year on year in the first eight months of 2019, with high density polyethylene (HDPE) accounting for the increase, according to MRC’s DataScope report.

According to the National Bureau of Statistics of Belarus, PE imports to Belarus rose slightly in August 2019 to 12,300 tonnes from 12,100 tonnes a month earlier.

Overall PE imports totalled 87,400 tonnes in January-August, compared to 85,500 tonnes a year earlier. Demand for linear low density polyethylene (LLDPE) subsided significantly, whereas demand for imported HDPE increased.

The structure of PE imports to Belarus by grades looked the following way over the stated period:

August total low density polyethylene (LDPE) imports dropped to 3,300 tonnes from 3,600 tonnes a month earlier, with local companies reducing their purchasing in Russia.

Overall imports of this PE grade into Belarus totalled 26,800 tonnes in the first eight months of 2019, almost flat on last year’s figure.

August HDPE imports were 7,200 tonnes, compared to 7,400 tonnes a month earlier, with local companies reducing their purchasing of film grade PE in Ukraine.

HDPE imports totalled around 44,700 tonnes in January-August, up by 21.3% year on year.

Overall LLDPE imports reached 15,800 tonnes in January-August compared with 21,900 tonnes a year earlier.