[import and export watch] imports down 14%, exports up 80%! china’s ps export map continues to expand

In June 2026, China's polystyrene (PS) import and export data showed a clear "one rises while the other falls" pattern: imports reached 33,900 tons, a month-on-month increase of 16.49%, but a year-on-year decrease of 14.39%; exports totaled 48,000 tons, a month-on-month increase of 1.48% and a substantial year-on-year increase of 79.78%. The net export of 14,100 tons that month marked China's transition from a traditional net importer to a net exporter of PS. The cumulative data for the first half of the year showed imports at 197,600 tons (down 8.09% year-on-year) and exports at 232,900 tons (up 55.16% year-on-year), further confirming this trend—China's PS trade pattern is undergoing a profound transformation.

I. Imports: Continued Contraction, with the Domestic Substitution Effect Deepening

In June, domestic PS imports were 33,900 tons, an increase of 4,800 tons from the previous month, with a growth rate of 16.49%; compared to the same period last year, it decreased by 5,700 tons, with a decline of 14.39%. From January to June, cumulative imports totaled 197,600 tons, a decrease of 17,400 tons year-on-year, with a decline of 8.09%.

The continuous contraction of imports is the result of multiple overlapping factors. The ongoing release of domestic production capacity has reduced dependence on foreign sources, and domestic general-purpose PS has gained the ability to compete with international sources in terms of quality and cost, with the substitution effect gradually becoming evident. Domestic PS spot prices have remained relatively low globally for an extended period, continuously narrowing the arbitrage space for imports and suppressing the purchasing willingness of traders. In addition, due to the impact of geopolitical conflicts in the Middle East, the supply from traditional source countries such as Iran and Saudi Arabia has been restricted, further compressing the scale of imports.

II. Exports: Rapid Growth, Supported by Stable Demand from Emerging Markets

In June, PS exports were approximately 48,000 tons, up 700 tons month-on-month, an increase of 1.48%; and up 21,300 tons year-on-year, an increase of 79.78%. Among them, exports of other PS in primary forms were approximately 31,700 tons, while exports of modified PS in primary forms were approximately 16,300 tons. Cumulative exports from January to June reached 232,900 tons, up 82,800 tons year-on-year, an increase of 55.16%.

From the perspective of export destinations, China’s PS export market is concentrated in emerging economies.Vietnam ranks first with 5,023 tons.Thailand ranked second with 3,601 tons, while India ranked third with 2,856 tons. The top three exported a combined 11,500 tons, accounting for 24% of total exports.Southeast Asian countries (Vietnam, Thailand, the Philippines, Indonesia, Cambodia, Myanmar, etc.) account for over 25% in total.is the main regional market for China's PS exports.

In the Central Asian market, Kazakhstan (1,082 tons) and Uzbekistan (917 tons) ranked among the top ten. The African market showed diversified distribution, with countries such as South Africa (849 tons), Ghana (593 tons), Nigeria (506 tons), and Egypt (522 tons) maintaining stable procurement. In the European market,Poland 1,606 tons、Russia: 1,356 tonsare the main export destinations. In the Americas, markets such as Mexico with 766 tons, Venezuela with 834 tons, and Ecuador with 598 tons also showed certain growth potential.

The core driving force behind export growth lies in the cost-performance advantage of Chinese PS. With ample domestic production capacity and prices at a global low, Chinese PS is competitive in price-sensitive markets such as Southeast Asia, South Asia, Africa, and Central Asia. The global supply restructuring caused by geopolitical conflicts in the Middle East further provides incremental space for Chinese PS exports.

3. From Net Import to Net Export Transition

In June, the net export was 14,100 tons, reflecting a shift in China's PS trade pattern. The cumulative net export for the first half of the year was 35,300 tons, indicating that this change is not a temporary fluctuation, but rather a trend of structural change.

The internal logic of this shift lies in the simultaneous efforts on both the supply and demand sides. Domestic PS production capacity has continued to expand, raising the self-sufficiency rate of general-purpose products; the development of manufacturing in emerging markets such as Southeast Asia and South Asia has driven continued growth in import demand for Chinese PS; and the global supply gap caused by geopolitical conflicts in the Middle East has provided additional market space for China’s PS exports.

IV. Outlook: Exports Are Expected to Remain Elevated

In the short term, the robust momentum of China’s PS exports is expected to continue. Manufacturing demand in core markets such as Southeast Asia and South Asia will provide sustained support; domestic PS capacity remains in an expansion cycle, with ample supply underpinning exports; and uncertainty surrounding the geopolitical situation in the Middle East is unlikely to ease fundamentally in the near term, meaning the trend of global supply restructuring will continue.

Imports are expected to remain at low levels. Against the backdrop of continued domestic capacity ramp-up and a narrowing import arbitrage window, monthly import volumes are expected to stay at a normalized low level of 30,000–40,000 tonnes.

Overall, China’s PS has shifted from being a net importer to a net export-oriented market. The continuation of this trend will redefine China’s role in global PS trade.

Data source: General Administration of Customs