For global buyers planning to source PET resin from China, staying updated on China’s PET price trends in real time is a critical step in cost control. As of early May 2026, spot and export prices for Chinese bottle-grade PET both remain at historic highs. Based on upstream raw material costs, Chinese supplier production dynamics, and geopolitical factors, this article provides a concise and actionable price analysis.
Current China PET Price Levels
| Price Type | Level Range | Week-over-Week Change |
| China Spot Ex-Factory Price (East China) | 9,420 – 9,560 RMB/ton | +5.5% |
| Export FOB China | 1,200 – 1,205 USD/ton | Declined from mid-April peak, but remains high |
| Representative Enterprise Quotations | Sanfame: 9,510 RMB/ton; Yisheng: 9,560 RMB/ton | Synchronized upward adjustment |
Note: The above are reference closing prices as of May 6, 2026. Actual transaction prices are subject to real-time quotes.
Three Key Drivers of the Price Increase
1. Upstream Raw Material Cost Transmission
The direct raw materials for PET, PTA and MEG, combined account for more than 90% of production costs. Since the escalation of tensions in the Strait of Hormuz in March 2026:
- MEG (Monoethylene Glycol): Approximately 55% of China’s imported MEG comes from the Middle East, and disrupted shipping has caused a sharp drop in arrivals. On May 7, the East China MEG quote was approximately 5,078 RMB/ton, and major port inventories dropped to 835,000 tons, continuing to destock.
- PX → PTA: In April, the average price of PX (CFR China) rose by 60% year-over-year, and PTA spot prices rose by 48% year-over-year. The push from the raw material side has been transmitted step-by-step to PET.
2. Active Production Cuts by Chinese PET Producers
The Chinese bottle-grade PET industry is highly concentrated (the top four companies account for approximately 75% of capacity). Since mid-2025, leading enterprises have implemented collaborative production cuts:
- Sanfame, Wankai, CR Chem, and Yisheng cut production by a combined scale of over 3 million tons/year.
- The industry operating rate dropped from 79% to approximately 71%. These production cuts have tightened spot supply, providing bottom support for prices.
3. Global Market Mismatch Driving Export Prices
After international peers (such as India’s Indorama) declared force majeure due to raw material shortages, PET supply deficits in regions like Europe and Africa shifted toward China. In mid-April, China’s export FOB price briefly spiked to 1,810 – 1,830 USD/ton (a 16-year high) before correcting back to the 1,200 USD/ton range, which still remains significantly higher than the historical average.
Short-Term Trend Outlook (Next 1–2 Months)
PET prices are expected to maintain a high-level volatile pattern.
- Upside Risks: The probability of geopolitical tensions in the Middle East easing completely in the first half of 2026 is low; MEG inventories continue to destock; and the maintenance season for Chinese PET plants is not yet fully over.
- Downside Pressures: Downstream manufacturing enterprises have limited acceptance of high prices, with most purchasing only on an as-needed basis; if the pace of export orders slows down, prices may experience a phase-specific correction.
Global Buyer Purchasing Reference
| Focus Variables | Potential Impact | Tracking Indicators |
| Strait of Hormuz Navigation Status | Core Variable | Progress in US-Iran negotiations |
| China PET Industry Operating Rate | If it recovers, prices will face pressure | Maintenance plans in late May |
| Demand in Markets like the EU | If sustained, prices will remain firm | Regional price spreads and anti-dumping dynamics |
| Crude Oil and MEG Prices | Direct Driver | Weekly inventory data |
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Is now the right time to purchase PET from China?
A: If there are immediate production needs, it is recommended to purchase in batches to lock in costs; if you can wait, you can monitor for correction windows once geopolitical easing signals emerge.
Q: How do China’s export FOB prices compare to those of South Korea and Southeast Asia?
A: Currently, China’s FOB quotes are basically on par with South Korea’s. China possesses the world’s largest integrated polyester capacity, maintaining an advantage in supply stability for bulk orders. Please contact our sales team for specific price spreads.
Selected Chinese PET Grades
- Sanfame PET Resin CZ318 (Sanfame): High transparency, suitable for water bottles, carbonated soft drink bottles, and hot-fill bottles.
- Wankai PET Resin WK801 (Wankai): High viscosity, suitable for high-speed injection stretch blow molding, complies with multiple international food contact standards.
For quotes and inventories of other brands (CR Chem, Yisheng, etc.), please consult us.
