Türkiye’s import PVC market faces contrasting signals as global trade realigns

PVC prices in Türkiye reflected mixed dynamics this week, as sellers pursued divergent pricing strategies ahead of September. US-origin material came under heavier pressure, with abundant supply dragging offers to fresh lows, while South Korean and Chinese offers held relatively firmer despite a supply overhang from the latter.

Meanwhile, India’s newly announced definitive anti-dumping (AD) duties on multiple import origins dominated discussions, with players weighing how the measures could reshape supplier behavior and global trade flows in the coming months. In Türkiye, however, stagnant demand remained the key theme.

South Korean sellers lean toward India

Duty-free K67 saw a slight lift on the low end compared with mid-August levels, driven by the withdrawal of South Korean producers from Türkiye. They redirected volumes to India, where recent price hikes and stronger margins drew material away from the Turkish market. Players noted that deals as low as $740–750/ton CIF were confirmed just weeks ago, but the South Korean presence has since vanished. In parallel, a Taiwanese major announced $30/ton hikes for September shipments to India, while also lifting FOB Taiwan and CIF China prices by $10/ton.

European and Egyptian K67 hovered around $770/ton CIF, but this steadiness did little to revive buying interest, as financial constraints and sluggish downstream consumption continued to dampen sentiment. Meanwhile, a European producer will carry out maintenance on some of its lines alternately, starting from the end of September. Therefore, supply from the producer may decline into the year’s end.

US K67 breaks below $650 CIF as supply pressure mounts

In the dutiable segment, US K67 prices slipped below the $650/ton CIF Türkiye, cash threshold on the low end, as sellers sought to offload stocks in the wake of India’s AD duties. This added pressure underscored the persistent weakness in Turkish demand, with many traders noting that converters remained largely unresponsive despite global developments.

On the other hand, Chinese PVC K67 was quoted firmer at $725/ton CIF. A trader noted that suppliers were unwilling to lower their offers since netbacks in Türkiye are already very thin. However, buyers found the level unworkable given the much more competitive US cargoes.

Trade flows to remain in focus, demand still unpromising

Import K67 prices hovering at their lowest level in more than five years has encouraged some sellers to argue that the downtrend might have come to an end in Türkiye, particularly if India’s hikes ripple into global markets and European buyers return from their summer break with recovered buying interest. Yet, overall demand in Türkiye remains unpromising, with no signs of a rebound in downstream consumption for the near term.

Looking ahead, the direction of global trade flows will remain central. India’s duties are expected to squeeze Chinese exporters, but a sharp increase in Chinese inflows to Türkiye appears unlikely in the short term, given weak netbacks and differences in end-use segments — Türkiye’s market is profile-heavy, while Chinese PVC is more often directed to pipes.

For detailed figures on tonnage and more, visit ChemOrbis Stats Wizard.

According to ChemOrbis Stats Wizard, Türkiye imported just 13,000 tons of PVC from China in H1 2025, placing the country 12th among suppliers with a 2% share. In 2024, China ranked 19th with only 2,000 tons of sales to Türkiye. The US, by contrast, remained by far the top supplier, accounting for 31% of the market with nearly 160,000 tons of exports in January–June 2025, compared with a 23% share and 188,000 tons in 2024, the data showed.

Instead, the US may channel additional volumes to Türkiye, while Chinese suppliers are more likely to focus on nearby Southeast Asian outlets such as Vietnam. European producers, not subject to the new ADDs, could also target India more aggressively, provided freight and logistics hurdles are manageable.

For detailed figures on new capacities and more, visit ChemOrbis Supply Wizard.

As a side note, Qatar Vinyl Company (QVC) is preparing to start up a 350,000 tons/year PVC plant in Mesaieed by September, according to ChemOrbis Supply Wizard. A source familiar with the matter said the new plant will initially produce off-spec material. With a recent regulation eliminating customs duty on Qatari origin, the facility may channel more cargoes to Türkiye than previously expected in the medium term.