Toluene Price in China saw an Uptrend in January 2024

Toluene price in China grew in January 2024. The price firmness was attributed to the bold feedstock prices, both for Crude oil and Benzene. Procurement Resource reported the uptick in toluene prices in China by 2.61% in January 2024 Compared to December 2023.

Uptick in Benzene Price

The Chinese benzene market is seeing a rise in prices, paralleling trends in the toluene market, with a significant monthly price increase. Market tightness post-holiday and robust downstream demand, particularly from aniline and styrene sectors, are pushing up benzene prices. However, global crude oil price fluctuations and increased OPEC production may signal a potential future decline in benzene prices.

Rising Crude Oil Price

In January 2024, U.S. crude oil prices rose by 1.65% from the previous month, driven by supply concerns linked to the Red Sea crisis and severe winter weather, particularly impacting oil output in North Dakota. Market analysts point to these factors as potential harbingers of supply shortages. Additionally, a cold snap across various states exacerbated production issues.

Read More About Toluene Production Cost Reports - Get Free Sample Copy in PDF

However, despite stock market gains hinting at an uptick in demand and economic optimism, geopolitical unrest and infrastructure attacks continue to inject volatility into the market. Experts caution that increased global oil production and shaky economic indicators from major economies could suppress prices. Meanwhile, the resumption of operations in a key Libyan oilfield might alleviate some supply concerns, presenting a complex and uncertain outlook for the crude oil market.