Polyethylene prices in China surged above CNY 9,000 per tonne, the highest level in four years, marking a 45% increase since the start of the year, as conflict in the Middle East disrupted key regional supply and pushed up feedstock costs globally. The market for polyethylene and other petrochemicals tightened significantly since the war between Iran and Israeli and US forces drove Tehran to attack vessels crossing the Strait of Hormuz, halting exports from major plastic producers in the UAE, Qatar, and Saudi Arabia. Additionally, the halt in tanker flows in the region suspended flows of crude oil, LNG, and LPG to trigger surges in prices of polyethylene feedstock for refineries and factories in Asia and North America. The tight supply drove North American plastic producers to increase capacity and meet higher export demand, driving industry groups to forecast record-high North American output in March.
Polyethylene rose to 9,231 CNY/T on April 8, 2026, up 0.07% from the previous day. Over the past month, Polyethylene's price has risen 16.63%, and is up 25.64% compared to the same time last year, according to trading on a contract for difference (CFD) that tracks the benchmark market for this commodity. Historically, Polyethylene reached an all time high of 16230 in June of 2008. This page includes a chart with historical data for Polyethylene. Polyethylene - data, forecasts, historical chart - was last updated on April 8 of 2026.
Polyethylene rose to 9,231 CNY/T on April 8, 2026, up 0.07% from the previous day. Over the past month, Polyethylene's price has risen 16.63%, and is up 25.64% compared to the same time last year, according to trading on a contract for difference (CFD) that tracks the benchmark market for this commodity. Polyethylene is expected to trade at 8772.80 CNY/T by the end of this quarter, according to Trading Economics global macro models and analysts expectations. Looking forward, we estimate it to trade at 9202.46 in 12 months time.