1. What is PVC Resin SG5?
PVC Resin SG5, full name Suspension Grade Polyvinyl Chloride SG-5, is the most widely produced and used general-purpose PVC grade in China, defined under the national standard GB/T 5761. It is also one of the most popular general-purpose PVC raw materials for international trade procurement. With a core K-value of 66-68 and an average degree of polymerization of around 1000, it appears as a white powder, featuring excellent processability, mechanical strength and chemical stability. It is widely used in the production of rigid PVC products, covering construction, chemical, packaging, electrical and other fields, and is one of the most concerned PVC grades by foreign trade buyers. As a cost-effective general raw material, PVC resin SG5 is not only the first choice for domestic downstream enterprises in China, but also the core PVC category exported to overseas markets, accounting for more than 60% of China’s total PVC exports all year round.
2. Latest Price of PVC Resin SG5 in China (2026)
As of mid-April 2026, affected by supply and demand patterns, cost fluctuations and policy adjustments, the market price of PVC Resin SG5 (Prime Grade) in China shows a trend of regional differentiation and low-level fluctuation. The prices corresponding to different procurement channels, purchase quantities and delivery methods are significantly different. The following are the latest current market reference prices, which are accurately adapted to the needs of foreign trade procurement quotes:
- East China Market (Main Reference, Spot Price): CNY 4,970/ton (Shengci Benchmark Price, April 15), corresponding to FOB China Main Port of about USD 690/MT
- Shandong Region (Ex-Works Price, Mainstream Supply): CNY 4,850-4,920/ton, bulk purchase (≥100 tons) can enjoy a discount of CNY 30-50/ton
- Northwest Region (Ex-Works Price, Low-Cost Supply): CNY 4,960-5,050/ton, relying on local calcium carbide resource advantages, the price has strong competitiveness
- North China Region (High-Quality Supply, Ex-Works Price): CNY 5,200-5,500/ton, high purity and stable quality, suitable for high-end foreign trade orders
- Export FOB China Main Port (Prime Grade, 25kg bags): USD 680-720/MT, affected by the adjustment of China’s export tax rebate policy in 2026, an increase of about 5% compared with the same period last year
Overall Price Range: Currently, the mainstream transaction price of PVC Resin SG5 in China is concentrated at CNY 4,850-5,500/ton, and the foreign trade export quotation is concentrated at USD 680-720/MT. The final price is determined by the purchase quantity, delivery period, payment method and brand grade, and further negotiation space is available for bulk purchase.
3. Key Factors Affecting PVC Resin SG5 Price
Understanding the core driving factors of PVC Resin SG5 price fluctuations is the key for foreign trade buyers to avoid price risks and seize procurement opportunities. The following four factors directly determine the price trend of PVC Resin SG5 in China in 2026, and are also the core points most concerned by overseas buyers:
3.1 Cost Support: Dominated by Calcium Carbide and Ethylene Prices
China is the world’s largest PVC producer, of which more than 70% of PVC Resin SG5 is produced by the calcium carbide method. As the core raw material, calcium carbide accounts for 60-70% of the total production cost. Therefore, the fluctuation of calcium carbide price directly affects the cost bottom line of SG5. Since 2026, the calcium carbide market in China has fluctuated at a low level, with an average price maintained at CNY 3,200-3,400/ton, providing a cost support of CNY 4,900-5,200/ton for PVC Resin SG5, and there is no significant upward pressure on the cost side in the short term.
In addition, a few enterprises produce PVC Resin SG5 by the ethylene method, whose cost is greatly affected by international crude oil prices. Fluctuations in international crude oil prices will be indirectly transmitted to ethylene prices, thereby affecting the quotation of ethylene-based SG5. This is also an important reason for the price fluctuation of high-end SG5 supply in foreign trade procurement. For overseas buyers, understanding the cost difference between calcium carbide-based and ethylene-based SG5 can better select the supply suitable for their own needs and control procurement costs.
3.2 Supply and Demand Fundamentals: Game Between High Supply and Weak Demand
Supply and demand relationship is the core factor determining the price of PVC Resin SG5. Since 2026, the SG5 market in China has shown a pattern of “high supply and weak demand”, which directly suppresses price rebound:
- Supply Side: China’s annual production capacity of PVC Resin SG5 exceeds 30 million tons, and the current industry operating rate is maintained at 77-78%. The market supply is sufficient, and the inventory of most manufacturers is at a reasonable and high level. The supply of goods is stable, and there is no need to worry about shortage. This is the main reason why the price is difficult to rise sharply currently.
- Demand Side: The downstream demand of PVC Resin SG5 is mainly concentrated in the construction materials field (accounting for more than 60%). However, the new construction area of the real estate industry in China is sluggish, leading to insufficient demand for downstream products such as pipes and profiles. The operating rate of downstream enterprises is only 30-40%, and the procurement demand is weak, which significantly suppresses the price of SG5. At the same time, although overseas demand has recovered compared with last year, it is limited by the weak global economic recovery, and the growth rate is limited, which is difficult to support a sharp rebound in prices in China.
3.3 Export and Policy Adjustment: Directly Affecting Foreign Trade Quotes
For foreign trade buyers, export policies and export market performance directly affect the FOB quotation of PVC Resin SG5. Two major policy and market changes in 2026 need to be focused on:
- Export Tax Rebate Policy: Starting from April 1, 2026, China officially cancelled the export tax rebate for PVC resin (the previous tax rebate rate was about 13%, corresponding to about CNY 520/ton). This directly increased the cost of export enterprises, leading to an increase of about 5-8% in the FOB quotation of PVC Resin SG5 compared with before the policy adjustment, and the procurement cost of overseas buyers increased accordingly.
- Export Market Performance: In 2025, China’s export volume of PVC Resin SG5 reached 3.82 million tons, a year-on-year increase of 46%. India, Southeast Asia and Africa are the main export markets, among which the Indian market accounts for 30%. Since 2026, although overseas market demand has recovered, affected by local import policies and exchange rate fluctuations, the growth of export orders has slowed down, which indirectly affects the export quotation and price trend of SG5 in China.
3.4 Futures and Macroeconomy: “Weather Vane” of Price Trend
The PVC futures (V2605 contract) on the Dalian Commodity Exchange is an important “weather vane” for the spot price of PVC Resin SG5 in China. Currently, the futures price fluctuates around CNY 4,955/ton. The fluctuation of the futures market directly guides the spot price trend. Overseas buyers can predict the short-term fluctuation trend of the spot price by paying attention to the PVC futures price.
In addition, the macroeconomic environment also has an indirect impact on the price. The pace of macroeconomic recovery in China, the trend of global commodity prices, and the fluctuation of the RMB exchange rate will all affect the production, circulation and export of PVC Resin SG5, thereby affecting the final quotation. For example, the depreciation of the RMB will reduce the procurement cost of overseas buyers, indirectly stimulate export demand, and form a certain support for the price.
4. 2026 PVC Resin SG5 Price Trend Forecast
Combined with the current cost, supply and demand, policy and macroeconomic environment, we make the following forecast on the price trend of PVC Resin SG5 in China in 2026, providing reference for overseas buyers to formulate procurement plans:
4.1 Short-term (1-3 months, April-June): Weak Fluctuation, No Significant Rebound
In the short term, the PVC Resin SG5 market in China will still maintain the pattern of “high supply and weak demand”. In addition, the negative factors of export tax rebate will continue to be realized, and the pressure of high inventory is difficult to ease. Therefore, the price will show a trend of weak fluctuation. The mainstream price range will be maintained at CNY 4,800-5,400/ton, and the export FOB quotation will be maintained at USD 680-710/MT. There is no room for a significant rebound in the short term.
4.2 Medium and Long-term (3-12 months, July-end of 2026): Awaiting Inflection Point, Price Expected to Recover Moderately
In the medium and long term, the price trend of PVC Resin SG5 will depend on three major inflection points: first, the recovery of the real estate industry in China, the recovery of downstream demand, driving the increase in SG5 procurement demand; second, the centralized maintenance of PVC production enterprises in China, the tightening of supply, easing the supply and demand contradiction; third, the substantial growth of overseas market demand, driving the increase in export orders. If the three major inflection points appear, the price is expected to gradually rise to CNY 5,500-6,000/ton, and the export FOB quotation will rise to USD 730-780/MT; if the inflection points do not appear, the price will fluctuate in the low range of CNY 4,500-5,500/ton.
5. Advice for International Buyers
In view of the price trend and market pattern of PVC Resin SG5 in China in 2026, the following procurement suggestions are provided for overseas buyers to help avoid price risks, reduce procurement costs and ensure stable supply:
- Procurement Timing: Currently (April-May) is in the low price range, and the price is difficult to rise sharply in the short term, which is suitable for restocking on demand; if there is a large-scale procurement plan in the medium and long term, batch procurement can be carried out to avoid price fluctuation risks and lock in high-quality supply.
- Quotation Negotiation: Bulk purchase (≥100 tons) can negotiate with suppliers in China for a more favorable quotation; at the same time, flexible payment methods (such as advance payment, letter of credit) can be selected to further reduce procurement costs.
- Supply Selection: Prioritize the supply of large PVC production enterprises in China to ensure stable product quality and avoid production impact due to quality problems; at the same time, pay attention to the supply in the northwest and Shandong regions of China, which have higher cost performance and are more suitable for bulk foreign trade procurement.
- Risk Avoidance: Pay close attention to calcium carbide prices, export policies and PVC futures trends in China, and adjust procurement plans in a timely manner; at the same time, pay attention to RMB exchange rate fluctuations, reasonably select settlement currency, and reduce exchange rate risks.
Conclusion
In 2026, the price of PVC Resin SG5 in China is in a weak balance between cost support and supply-demand pressure, fluctuating weakly in the short term and waiting for the inflection point of demand and supply pattern in the medium and long term. For overseas buyers, currently is a good time for restocking on demand. At the same time, it is necessary to closely pay attention to the changes of core factors such as cost, policy and supply-demand, and reasonably formulate procurement plans to avoid price risks. As the mainstream general-purpose PVC raw material in China, PVC resin SG5 has stable market supply and outstanding cost performance, and is still the preferred PVC category for overseas buyers in 2026. Grasping the law of price fluctuation can effectively reduce procurement costs and improve procurement efficiency.
