India’s PVC Imports Fall to Four-Year Low as Chinese Shipments Drop Sharply

India’s PVC imports continued to weaken in August, with both import volumes and values declining further on a monthly and annual basis. The slowdown was driven by elevated import costs, supply disruptions and cautious purchasing by domestic buyers. As buyers focused on meeting immediate production requirements, demand for overseas PVC cargoes remained subdued.

PVC Import Volumes Reach Their Lowest Level Since August 2022

India’s PVC import volumes declined for the fourth consecutive month in August, reaching their lowest monthly level in four years. Imports fell 22% compared with July 2026 and dropped 39% year on year, highlighting the continued weakness in overseas purchasing.

The decline reflected a gradual loss of momentum that began during the summer and became more pronounced from mid-July amid rising costs and cautious buying activity.

Import values also decreased for the fourth month in a row, standing slightly above $116 million in August. This represented a 24% monthly decline and a 30% fall from August 2025. The value of imports reached its lowest point since February 2026.

Chinese PVC Shipments to India Plunge

China remained India’s largest PVC supplier in August, accounting for 26% of total imports. Thailand followed with a 22% share, while Japan held 12%. The supplier ranking was unchanged from July.

However, Chinese shipments contracted significantly. Volumes dropped from approximately 99,000 tons in July to nearly 38,000 tons in August, representing a 62% monthly decrease. Imports from China also fell 60% compared with the same month last year.

In contrast, Thailand increased its PVC shipments to India during August, gaining a larger share of the market. Japanese supplies also rose, although the increase in its volume and market share was more modest than Thailand’s.

Higher Costs and Monsoon Conditions Weigh on Buying

India’s import demand remained under pressure from higher costs and subdued trading activity during the monsoon season. Restored import tariffs, war-related supply disruptions and rising prices from major regional suppliers further dampened buying interest from around mid-July.

Higher upstream prices and freight expenses made imported PVC increasingly expensive. Consequently, buyers concentrated on immediate manufacturing needs and showed greater interest in locally produced material.

Indian domestic producers also announced successive price increases. Nevertheless, the higher cost of imported material continued to discourage buyers from committing to overseas shipments, contributing to the sustained decline in import volumes.

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