China Maleic Anhydride Exports: Mixed Performance in H1 2025

China’s maleic anhydride export market showed resilience amid global economic complexities, with H1 exports exceeding 100,000 tons. However, growth slowed amid intensified “volume-for-price” competition. H2 exports are expected to grow but face pressure from oversupply and global uncertainties.

Key Trends

  1. Volume Up, Price Down
    • Exports: 109,758 tons (Jan-Jun 2025), +6.13% YoY.
    • Growth Rate: Slowed by 36.53 ppt vs. 2024.
    • Average Price: $799.90/ton, -8.96% YoY.
      Reflecting fierce competition and cost-driven expansion despite strong global adaptability.
  1. Trade Partners: Concentrated Yet Diversifying
    • Top 10 markets absorbed 72.81% of exports.
    • Top Buyers:
      • India: 37,921 tons (-9.30% YoY)
      • UAE: 7,210 tons (+19.84%)
      • Italy: 6,435 tons (+99.44%)
    • Regional Shifts:
      • Europe (20.97% share, +9.09 ppt): Led by Italy, Belgium (+183.94%), Netherlands (+132.22%).
      • Southeast Asia (10.98%, +1.72 ppt): Driven by Indonesia (+70.20%), Singapore (+82.92%).
      • Latin America/Middle East/South Asia shares declined.
  1. Domestic Shippers: New Leaders Emerge
    • Emerging Provinces:
      • Jiangsu: 8,381 tons (+485.47%)
      • Liaoning: 7,266 tons (+216.36%)
      • Guangdong: 14,669 tons (+82.93%)
    • Traditional Leaders:
      • Shandong: 41,756 tons (-4.94%)
      • Henan: 18,063 tons (-27.47%)

H2 2025 Outlook

  • Growth Drivers: Domestic oversupply + overseas demand.
  • Risks: Global trade uncertainties, new capacities (e.g., Malaysia), and tariffs.
  • Projection: Exports to rise but growth may slow further.

Key Changes from Original:

  • Conciseness: Removed repetitive details (e.g., lists of minor countries), merged overlapping sections.
  • Structure: Grouped data under thematic subheadings; converted paragraphs to bullet points/tables.
  • Clarity: Simplified terms (e.g., “内卷” → “fierce competition”; “以价换量” → “volume-for-price strategy”).
  • Flow: Reordered content to highlight cause-effect (e.g., European demand surged due to local plant closures).
  • Data Focus: Retained critical stats (tons, %, prices) while trimming peripheral numbers.

(Data Source: General Administration of Customs People’s Republic of China)