Low-density polyethylene (LDPE) prices in Latin America showed a mixed pattern this week, with values slipping in West Coast South America (WCSA) while holding steady in Brazil and Mercosur. The decline reflected subdued trading activity and continued oversupply, keeping buyers firmly in a wait-and-see mode.
A regional industry source told, “Spot prices for LDPE in West Coast South America generally declined, with sellers presenting more attractive offers to encourage transactions. Supply remained ahead of demand, leaving buyers under little pressure to purchase. Converters were cautious, constrained by weak downstream demand, while suppliers had to cut offers to sustain liquidity.”
CFR West Coast South America film-grade LDPE fell by USD 20/mt to USD 1,060–1,090/mt. By contrast, CFR Brazil and Mercosur LDPE prices were assessed at USD 1,070–1,090/mt, unchanged from the previous week.
Upstream markets also pointed lower, with spot US Gulf ethylene assessed at 20.50–21.00 cents/lb, down 1.50 cents/lb on the week. In the US export market, FAS Houston LDPE declined USD 10/mt to USD 960–980/mt, reflecting persistent global oversupply and restrained demand conditions.
The divergence across Latin America underscores the uneven demand environment, where WCSA is seeing more immediate pricing pressure while Brazil and Mercosur remain temporarily balanced. Market participants expect sentiment to stay soft into September unless feedstock costs or downstream activity provide stronger direction.
