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Global PET market starts 2026 with fragile demand and heavy reliance on seasonal triggers

The global polyethylene terephthalate (PET) market has entered 2026 with soft demand, volatile freight and aggressive import competition defining sentiment across most regions.

- Seasonality, freight volatility and speculative activity override fundamentals

- Producers in multiple regions struggle to lift run rates meaningfully

- Trade flows keep shifting as buyers chase the cheapest origin

- Middle East: Seasonal drag dominates

Market activity is expected to remain muted through mid-March as Ramadan overlaps with the post-Lunar New Year slowdown, limiting buying appetite and trading visibility.

Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) buyers that needed to restock have largely already done so, reducing urgency.

Price competitiveness remains fluid: Indian PET briefly held the advantage, but falling Chinese freight rates have restored competitiveness for China-origin cargoes.

With Chinese trading typically slowing during the holiday period, the region continues to operate at a subdued pace.

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* Source : https://www.plasticsnews.com/suppliers/materials/sp-pet-market-polymer-prices/

* Edit : HANDLER