Introduction: In the first quarter of 2026, China's styrene imports totaled just 16,300 tons, a quarter-on-quarter decrease of 76.94%; while exports surged, rising 179.92% year-on-year. Market expectations indicate that China's styrene imports will remain scarce in May 2026, while exports continue to grow.
1. Import Data Overview
In Q1 2026, China's styrene imports fell sharply month by month. Imports in January were 11,300 tons, down 33.14% from the previous month; February imports were 5,000 tons, down another 55.75%; March imports plummeted to just 1.725 tons, down 99.97% month-on-month, reaching near-zero levels. Total imports for the quarter amounted to 16,300 tons, a decline of 78.06% compared to 74,300 tons in the same period last year.
2. Export Data Overview
In stark contrast to imports, exports performed strongly in Q1. January exports were 60,600 tons, up 269.51% quarter-on-quarter; February exports were 54,200 tons; March exports further climbed to 84,500 tons, up 55.90% month-on-month and surging 344.74% year-on-year. Total exports for the quarter reached 199,300 tons, up 179.92% year-on-year. March 2026 was the fourth highest monthly styrene export volume in the past six years, exceeded only by April 2021 and April/May 2022. The previous surge in styrene exports was mainly due to unexpected maintenance shutdowns of facilities caused by Gulf weather conditions, leading to market shortages. The sharp increase in styrene exports in March 2026 resulted from a combination of domestic and external factors: continued domestic capacity expansion ensured ample supply capacity; overseas, geopolitical conflicts in the Middle East drove up energy and chemical product prices, prompting some facilities to reduce output due to cost pressures, thereby stimulating buying demand in intercontinental markets.
3. Import/Export Structure
3.1 Imports
3.1.1 Trading Partners
In Q1 2026, China imported small quantities of styrene from eight countries by trading partner. Japan was the largest source, with imports of 10,004 tons, accounting for 61.36% of total Q1 imports.
China Styrene Import Volume by Trading Partner – Q1 2026
| Trading Partner | Import Volume (tons) | Value (USD) | Avg. Price (USD/ton) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Japan | 10,004.435 | 9,205,350 | 920.13 |
| Saudi Arabia | 6,296.977 | 5,266,314 | 836.32 |
| South Korea | 1.04 | 2,160 | 2,076.92 |
| Country (Region) Unknown | 0.72 | 6,382 | 8,863.89 |
| Malaysia | 0.48 | 3,998 | 8,329.17 |
| Germany | 0.009 | 790 | 87,777.78 |
| Netherlands | 0.006 | 491 | 81,833.33 |
| United States | 0.002 | 13 | 6,500.00 |
| Total | 16,303.669 | 14,485,498 | 888.48 |
3.1.2 Trade Mode
In Q1 2026, general trade dominated styrene imports, accounting for 80.96% of total Q1 import volume.
China Styrene Import Volume by Trade Mode – Q1 2026
| Trade Mode | Import Volume (tons) | Value (USD) | Avg. Price (USD/ton) |
|---|---|---|---|
| General Trade | 13,155.181 | 11,852,783 | 901.00 |
| Processing with Imported Materials | 3,148.488 | 2,632,715 | 836.18 |
| Total | 16,303.669 | 14,485,498 | 888.48 |
3.1.3 Place of Registration
In Q1 2026, imports were recorded from four provinces by place of registration. Data show that the vast majority of imported styrene entered through Jiangsu Province, with imports totaling 16,300 tons, accounting for 99.98% of total Q1 imports.
China Styrene Import Volume by Place of Registration – Q1 2026
| Place of Registration | Import Volume (tons) | Value (USD) | Avg. Price (USD/ton) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jiangsu Province | 16,301.211 | 14,469,000 | 887.60 |
| Liaoning Province | 1.072 | 2,571 | 2,398.32 |
| Shandong Province | 0.72 | 6,382 | 8,863.89 |
| Shanghai Municipality | 0.666 | 7,545 | 11,328.83 |
| Total | 16,303.669 | 14,485,498 | 888.48 |
3.2 Exports
3.2.1 Trading Partners
In Q1 2026, China exported styrene to 29 countries and regions by trading partner. The top three destinations were South Korea, Turkey, and India, with combined exports of 158,900 tons, accounting for 79.97% of the total, making them key export markets for domestic styrene in Q1. Customs data show that South Korea was the largest destination, with exports of 76,077.227 tons, representing 38.29% of total March exports.
China Styrene Export Volume by Trading Partner – Top 10 in Q1 2026
| Trading Partner | Export Volume (tons) | Value (USD) | Avg. Price (USD/ton) |
|---|---|---|---|
| South Korea | 76,077.227 | 71,027,792 | 933.63 |
| Turkey | 44,549.397 | 42,660,529 | 957.60 |
| India | 38,243.567 | 35,685,278 | 933.11 |
| Hong Kong SAR, China | 9,101.44 | 8,950,313 | 983.40 |
| Netherlands | 7,954.872 | 7,814,065 | 982.30 |
| Belgium | 5,849.93 | 5,469,685 | 935.00 |
| Malaysia | 5,705.789 | 6,076,665 | 1,065.00 |
| Pakistan | 4,999.724 | 4,599,746 | 920.00 |
| Japan | 3,000 | 2,970,000 | 990.00 |
| Ecuador | 807.84 | 874,601 | 1,082.64 |
3.2.2 Trade Mode
In Q1 2026, two main trade modes were used for styrene exports. General trade accounted for 170,481.388 tons, representing 85.81% of total March exports, remaining the predominant mode.
China Styrene Export Volume by Trade Mode – Q1 2026
| Trade Mode | Export Volume (tons) | Value (USD) | Avg. Price (USD/ton) |
|---|---|---|---|
| General Trade | 170,481.388 | 163,983,914 | 961.89 |
| Processing with Imported Materials | 28,188.69 | 24,972,047 | 885.89 |
| Export Goods for Overseas Contracted Projects | 0.36 | 3,371 | 9,363.89 |
| Total | 198,670.438 | 188,959,332 | 951.12 |
3.2.3 Place of Registration
In Q1 2026, exports were recorded from 10 provinces by place of registration. Zhejiang Province had the highest export volume at 86,707.304 tons, accounting for 43.64% of total March exports. Shanghai Municipality and Shandong Province ranked second and third, respectively. The top three combined accounted for 77.19% of the Q1 total. Reports indicate that Q1 exports were primarily direct shipments from coastal producers.
China Styrene Export Volume by Place of Registration – Q1 2026
| Place of Registration | Export Volume (tons) | Value (USD) | Avg. Price (USD/ton) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Zhejiang Province | 86,707.304 | 81,552,330 | 940.55 |
| Shanghai Municipality | 44,754.723 | 45,015,030 | 1,005.82 |
| Shandong Province | 21,885.149 | 20,433,133 | 933.65 |
| Tianjin Municipality | 17,678.985 | 14,533,477 | 822.08 |
| Liaoning Province | 12,234.985 | 12,486,358 | 1,020.55 |
| Jiangsu Province | 9,023.26 | 8,349,406 | 925.32 |
| Guangdong Province | 5,100 | 4,987,800 | 978.00 |
| Henan Province | 1,225.8 | 1,515,800 | 1,236.58 |
| Fujian Province | 57.6 | 73,008 | 1,267.50 |
| Beijing Municipality | 2.632 | 12,990 | 4,935.41 |
| Total | 198,670.438 | 188,959,332 | 951.12 |
4. Trend Outlook
Q1 2026 market data show styrene imports of only 16,300 tons, while exports reached as high as 199,300 tons. Domestic styrene supply is ample, with overall capacity utilization recently hovering around 72%, leading to intense competition in the domestic market. In recent months, China's styrene prices have been lower than intercontinental market prices, giving exports a competitive edge. By export flow, over 70% of styrene is sold to neighboring Asian countries and regions, with the near-sea market remaining the main support for exports. As China's styrene self-sufficiency rate continues to rise, import volumes have gradually shrunk, while near-sea exports have grown. China's styrene trade currently maintains a modest "net exporter" status overall. However, under the export pattern of "mainly near-sea, supplemented by deep-sea," domestic styrene exports still face challenges. Factors such as shipping distance, logistics costs, and international market access restrictions make deep-sea exports difficult, and market expansion will take time. Going forward, how to consolidate market share in the near-sea region while gradually enhancing competitiveness in the deep-sea market will be key to further breakthroughs in China's styrene exports.
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