Polyethylene North America monthly market overview December 2019

North American production slowed in November and into December as producers want to avoid high inventory levels heading into 2020. North American domestic demand in November continues the trend of weaker than expected demand in Q4 with month over month declines in demand since July. Producers continue to push resin to the export market to clear inventory levels before the end of the year. United States polyethylene exports as a percent of production remained near a record highs at 56% in November, and is expected to continue through the remainder of 2019. Spot domestic and export prices for all PE types remain at or near ten-year lows.