Turkish PE Players Await April Offers Amid Tight Supply, Cautious Demand

Turkey’s polyethylene (PE) market maintained its strong upward momentum as March drew to a close, supported by limited import availability from the Middle East, ongoing force majeure situations, and elevated upstream costs. Prices for LDPE, LLDPE, and HDPE continued to rise across both import and domestic markets, although buyers turned increasingly cautious following the Eid al-Fitr break amid mixed signals from the ongoing geopolitical conflict and a pause in the oil rally.

March marked by supply disruptions and soaring costs

Throughout March, the market was shaped by logistical disruptions and constrained supply. Import prices from the Middle East rose sharply, with weekly increases of $90–110/ton reflecting persistent shortages and war-related surcharges. US-origin PE remained competitive due to limited alternative supply, with offers for LLDPE C4 film and HDPE film reaching up to $1500/ton CIF, while most confirmed deals were reported around $1400–1450/ton.

Meanwhile, South Korean suppliers remained largely absent due to feedstock constraints and naphtha-related production issues, and spot availability from Uzbekistan also stayed limited.

According to market data, Middle Eastern PE film prices surged by $455–485/ton (43–52%) over the past month, while US-origin PE film prices increased by $460–505/ton (44–55%) during the same period.

Domestic prices see sharp gains

In the local market, Petkim implemented an additional $150/ton increase for LDPE, bringing total March hikes to $560/ton. Since the onset of the conflict, LDPE film prices in the domestic market have climbed by $575/ton (48%), while LLDPE C4 film and HDPE film prices jumped by $640/ton (59%), driven by tight distributor inventories and strong demand for prompt shipments.

Buyers adopt cautious stance post-Eid

Following the Eid holiday, converters have taken a more cautious approach as they face challenges in passing on higher raw material costs to finished products. The slowdown in oil price momentum and uncertainty surrounding the US-Iran conflict have also contributed to a more measured market sentiment, with many players awaiting April offers before making fresh commitments.

Outlook remains firm despite demand concerns

The near-term outlook for Turkey’s PE market remains supported by global price strength, ongoing supply constraints, and continued uncertainty around Middle Eastern shipments due to logistical disruptions and unclear delivery timelines. Even if geopolitical tensions ease, normalization of shipping flows through the Strait of Hormuz is expected to take time, keeping supply tight.

However, rising affordability concerns and resistance from the demand side may limit further price increases. Some converters have reportedly slowed production rates or resold raw materials purchased earlier at lower prices, as margins from resale became more attractive than processing.

Overall, while supply-side pressures continue to support the market, cautious buying behavior is expected to persist until clearer direction emerges with the release of April offers.

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