PVC imports to Ukraine fall 3% in January-February

MOSCOW (MRC)–Imports of suspension polyvinyl chloride (SPVC) into Ukraine decreased by 3% in the first two months of this year, compared to the same period in 2017 and reached about 13,700 tonnes, according to MRC DataScope.

February imports of SPVC in Ukraine exceeded 8,000 tonnes despite low season, compared with 5,700 tonnes in January. Local companies significantly increased imports of North American PVC. Total SPVC imports into the country were about 13,700 tonnes in January – February 2018, compared with 14,100 tonnes in the same time a year earlier.

Last month’s SPVC imports from the USA exceeded 6,000 tonnes, compared to 1,300 tonnes in January. Export prices of US PVC were at a minimum level in November and early December, and Ukrainian companies actively contracted North American PVC.

Imports of North American resin totalled 8,700 tonnes in the first two months of 2018 versus 2,700 tonnes a year earlier. February imports of European PVC into Ukraine decreased to 1,200 tonnes, compared with 2,600 tonnes in January. Such a low level of imports was a result of the high level of export prices in Europe. Total imports of European PVC into Ukraine were about 3,800 tonnes in the first two months of the year, compared with 8,600 tonnes year on year.

Imports of Russian PVC increased in February to 745 tonnes from 383 tonnes in January. Ukrainian government has banned the import of PVC from Russia since 1 March, which will be in effect until the end of the year. Shipments of Russian resin were about 1,100 tonnes in the first two months of 2018, compared to 2,800 tonnes a year earlier.

MRC, a partner of ICIS, produces polymers news and pricing reports from Russia, Ukraine, Belarus, Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan.