Japan: Market for Polyethylene in Primary Forms 2024

Market Size for Polyethylene in Primary Forms in Japan

The Japanese polyethylene in primary forms market declined to $X in 2021, shrinking by -5% against the previous year. Over the period under review, consumption showed a pronounced curtailment. Polyethylene in primary forms consumption peaked at $X in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2021, consumption remained at a lower figure.

Production of Polyethylene in Primary Forms in Japan

In value terms, polyethylene in primary forms production contracted slightly to $X in 2021 estimated in export price. In general, production recorded a noticeable decrease. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2015 when the production volume increased by 20% against the previous year. Polyethylene in primary forms production peaked at $X in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2021, production stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Exports of Polyethylene in Primary Forms

Exports from Japan

Polyethylene in primary forms exports from Japan expanded markedly to X tons in 2021, picking up by 6% against the previous year. Overall, total exports indicated noticeable growth from 2012 to 2021: its volume increased at an average annual rate of +2.9% over the last nine-year period. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2021 figures, exports increased by +48.6% against 2016 indices. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2019 with an increase of 24% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the exports attained the maximum in 2021 and are likely to see steady growth in years to come.

In value terms, polyethylene in primary forms exports skyrocketed to $X in 2021. Over the period under review, exports, however, showed a slight setback. The exports peaked at $X in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2021, the exports remained at a lower figure.

Exports by Country

China (X tons) was the main destination for polyethylene in primary forms exports from Japan, accounting for a 65% share of total exports. Moreover, polyethylene in primary forms exports to China exceeded the volume sent to the second major destination, Vietnam (X tons), ninefold. The third position in this ranking was taken by Taiwan (Chinese) (X tons), with a 5.4% share.

From 2012 to 2021, the average annual rate of growth in terms of volume to China totaled +4.1%. Exports to the other major destinations recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: Vietnam (+12.2% per year) and Taiwan (Chinese) (+1.6% per year).

In value terms, China ($X) remains the key foreign market for polyethylene in primary forms exports from Japan, comprising 51% of total exports. The second position in the ranking was held by South Korea ($X), with an 8.7% share of total exports. It was followed by Taiwan (Chinese), with an 8% share.

From 2012 to 2021, the average annual growth rate of value to China stood at -1.2%. Exports to the other major destinations recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: South Korea (+3.6% per year) and Taiwan (Chinese) (+1.5% per year).

Export Prices by Country

In 2021, the average polyethylene in primary forms export price amounted to $X per ton, surging by 10% against the previous year. Overall, the export price, however, continues to indicate a noticeable downturn. The export price peaked at $X per ton in 2014; however, from 2015 to 2021, the export prices failed to regain momentum.

There were significant differences in the average prices for the major overseas markets. In 2021, amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was the United States ($X per ton), while the average price for exports to India ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was recorded for supplies to Taiwan (Chinese) (-0.1%), while the prices for the other major destinations experienced a decline.

Imports of Polyethylene in Primary Forms

Imports into Japan

In 2021, overseas purchases of polyethylene in primary forms decreased by -2.9% to X tons, falling for the third year in a row after three years of growth. Overall, total imports indicated temperate growth from 2012 to 2021: its volume increased at an average annual rate of +2.8% over the last nine-year period. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2021 figures, imports decreased by -19.5% against 2018 indices. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2017 when imports increased by 37% against the previous year. Imports peaked at X tons in 2018; however, from 2019 to 2021, imports remained at a lower figure.

In value terms, polyethylene in primary forms imports surged to $X in 2021. Over the period under review, imports, however, showed a relatively flat trend pattern. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2017 with an increase of 39%. Imports peaked at $X in 2018; however, from 2019 to 2021, imports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Imports by Country

In 2021, Thailand (X tons) constituted the largest polyethylene in primary forms supplier to Japan, with a 69% share of total imports. Moreover, polyethylene in primary forms imports from Thailand exceeded the figures recorded by the second-largest supplier, Singapore (X tons), more than tenfold. The third position in this ranking was held by Malaysia (X tons), with a 4.7% share.

From 2012 to 2021, the average annual rate of growth in terms of volume from Thailand totaled +3.3%. The remaining supplying countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: Singapore (+12.0% per year) and Malaysia (+3.5% per year).

In value terms, Thailand ($X) constituted the largest supplier of polyethylene in primary forms to Japan, comprising 64% of total imports. The second position in the ranking was taken by South Korea ($X), with a 5.4% share of total imports. It was followed by the United States, with a 5.2% share.

From 2012 to 2021, the average annual rate of growth in terms of value from Thailand amounted to +1.3%. The remaining supplying countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: South Korea (-2.4% per year) and the United States (-0.0% per year).

Import Prices by Country

In 2021, the average polyethylene in primary forms import price amounted to $X per ton, with an increase of 28% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the import price, however, showed a perceptible contraction. The import price peaked at $X per ton in 2014; however, from 2015 to 2021, import prices stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Prices varied noticeably by country of origin: amid the top importers, the country with the highest price was China ($X per ton), while the price for Qatar ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by China (+1.0%), while the prices for the other major suppliers experienced a decline.

Source: IndexBox Platform

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