Chemicals, Olefins
July 31, 2026
JAPAN DATA: H1 propylene exports tumble 37% on year, imports up 18%
Editor:
HIGHLIGHTS
Imports from China nearly double year over year
Capacity rationalization drives trade flow shift
Japan's propylene exports decreased year over year by 38.6% to 186,757 mt in the first half of the year with shipments to China falling 45% to 78,714 mt, data released July 31 by Japan's Customs and Tariff Bureau showed.
On the other hand, imports rose by 17.7% over the same period to 71,705 mt, with imports from China almost doubling to 6,196 mt. The main supplier to Japan was South Korea at 65,432 mt, with shipments from South Korea up 13.4% from a year ago.
A Northeast Asian producer said the changing trade flow was likely due to the gradual rationalization of olefins production capacity in Japan over the years.
A trader also said that imports were sometimes priced lower than domestic cargoes, making the imports more attractive for Japanese buyers, at times.
Japan propylene exports H1 2026:
| Destination | H1 2026 | H1 2025 | % change |
| South Korea | 108,042 | 149,062 | -27.5 |
| China | 78,714 | 143,196 | -45.0 |
| Taiwan | 2 | 9,527 | -100.0 |
| Total* | 186,757 | 304,126 | -38.6 |
Japan propylene imports H1 2026:
| Origin | H1 2026 | H1 2025 | % change |
| South Korea | 65,432 | 57,704 | 13.4 |
| China | 6,196 | 3,152 | 96.6 |
| Total* | 71,705 | 60,920 | 17.7 |
* Includes destinations/origins with sporadic or small volumes
Source: Customs and Tariff Bureau
