The Ethylene Price Trend in Q3 2026 showed a significant downward correction across major global markets after the sharp price increases recorded during the earlier conflict-driven energy and feedstock cost surge.
European domestic markets experienced the steepest declines, with prices falling by approximately 38% to 39%. Asian and Middle Eastern markets recorded quarterly decreases of around 16% to 21%, while Argentina and the USA also experienced considerable price reductions.
The correction was mainly influenced by easing energy costs, lower feedstock expenses, and cautious purchasing activity across the petrochemical industry. As production costs adjusted from their earlier elevated levels, suppliers reduced offers to attract buyers, while importers adopted need-based procurement strategies.
Changes in international export quotations also influenced delivered prices in import-dependent markets such as Argentina, China, Qatar, and Turkey.
September 2026 brought a mixed picture across international markets. Japan, Saudi Arabia, South Korea, China, Qatar, and Turkey recorded monthly price increases ranging from approximately 8% to 13%, supported by renewed Middle East tensions and higher crude oil and feedstock costs.
In contrast, European markets and Argentina declined by around 3%, while the USA recorded a smaller decrease of approximately 1%. This divergence highlighted the influence of regional supply conditions and international trade flows on the Ethylene Price Chart and Ethylene Price Index.
The global Ethylene market experienced a broad price correction during Q3 2026. Prices across several regions moved lower as the extraordinary cost pressures associated with geopolitical tensions and energy market disruptions began to ease. Lower feedstock costs reduced production expenses, while buyers remained cautious about building inventories at higher price levels.
Regional differences were particularly visible between Europe, Asia, and North America. Belgium, Germany, and the Netherlands recorded the largest quarterly declines, reflecting a substantial correction in domestic trading prices. Asian export and import markets also weakened, although the extent of the decline varied depending on supplier quotations and regional procurement conditions.
International trade played an important role in shaping import prices. Softer US export quotations influenced Argentina, while lower South Korean offers affected China's import market. Similarly, Saudi Arabian export prices influenced delivered values in Qatar and Turkey.
By September, renewed geopolitical uncertainty and stronger feedstock costs supported a recovery in several Asian and Middle Eastern markets, while European prices continued to decline.
In Q3 2026, Ethylene imported prices CIF Buenos Aires from the USA, with purity above 99%, declined by approximately 15% compared with the previous quarter.
The decrease mainly reflected lower US FOB export quotations, which passed through into Argentine import valuations. As origin prices corrected from their earlier elevated levels, suppliers adjusted offers downward, creating more favourable replacement costs for importers.
During September, Ethylene Prices in Argentina declined by a further 3%. Softer US export prices continued to influence delivered import values, while cautious procurement limited buying activity. Importers largely focused on immediate requirements instead of building additional inventories, keeping trading activity subdued and encouraging sellers to offer more competitive prices.
Belgium's domestic Ethylene prices FD Antwerp, with purity above 99%, recorded a sharp decline of approximately 38% in Q3 2026. The market corrected significantly from the high levels recorded during the earlier energy and feedstock cost surge.
Easing energy expenses reduced production cost pressure, while cautious purchasing from downstream consumers weakened supplier pricing power.
The downward movement continued in September, when Ethylene prices declined by approximately 3%. Buyers maintained a conservative procurement approach and focused mainly on immediate consumption requirements. This limited purchasing activity encouraged suppliers to adjust their offers to attract demand, keeping the Belgian domestic market under pressure.