War-Hit Logistics Have Little Impact on Turkey’s H1 Polymer Imports

Global polymer markets faced major disruption toward the end of the second quarter of 2026 as the US-Iran war triggered a logistics crisis across the Middle East. Rising container freight rates, higher feedstock costs, shipping delays, plant shutdowns and sharp price fluctuations created significant uncertainty, particularly around the Strait of Hormuz.

Despite these challenges, Turkey’s polymer imports remained remarkably stable during the first half of the year. Combined imports of PP, PVC, PE, PS, ABS, EPS and PET declined by only 0.5% year on year, staying above 3 million tons during January-June. Panic buying and advance purchasing by import-dependent buyers appear to have helped offset the impact of supply disruptions and force majeure declarations across the Middle East and Asia.

Saudi Arabia Remains Turkey’s Largest Supplier

Saudi Arabia retained its position as Turkey’s leading polymer supplier during H1 2026, accounting for 24% of total imports. The US followed with 15%, while South Korea held a 12% share.

Despite production disruptions at petrochemical facilities, including the major Jubail hub, and congestion at Jeddah port, Saudi Arabia increased its market share by 2 percentage points from a year earlier. The US maintained its share, while South Korea gained 1 percentage point, despite facing serious naphtha supply challenges during disruptions to flows through the Strait of Hormuz.

China Improves Its Position Among Suppliers

Supply disruptions from major exporting regions pushed polymer prices sharply higher during much of the second quarter. At the same time, continued disruption to Black Sea shipments amid the Russia-Ukraine conflict created additional challenges.

These conditions improved opportunities for Chinese PP and PE suppliers in Turkey. Although import volumes from China did not increase significantly, competitively priced Chinese cargoes provided an alternative to the much higher prices sought for other origins.

China’s overall market share remained unchanged, but the country climbed from ninth to seventh place among Turkey’s major polymer suppliers during H1.

China also improved its position in the PVC market, moving from 12th to seventh place among Turkey’s suppliers. Unlike polyolefins, PVC trade was not significantly affected by the Middle East logistics crisis. Apart from a force majeure declared by a Qatari producer, there were limited major supply disruptions affecting PVC.

South Korea Shares Top Position in PP Copolymer

South Korean producers faced difficulties early in the second quarter when feedstock supplies through the Strait of Hormuz were disrupted. Alternative naphtha supplies were eventually secured from outside the Middle East, although at higher costs.

Despite these challenges, South Korea increased its share of Turkey’s PP copolymer imports by 3 percentage points, allowing it to share the top supplier position with Saudi Arabia. The UAE retained fourth place and increased its market share by 1 percentage point, despite production disruptions.

In the homo-PP market, Saudi Arabia, Russia and South Korea remained among the largest suppliers. Saudi Arabia increased its import share by 6 percentage points, while South Korea lost 4 percentage points, falling from second to fourth place.

PE Imports Rise Despite Supply Disruptions

Turkey’s combined imports of LDPE, LLDPE, mLLDPE and HDPE increased by 2% year on year during January-June, surpassing 1 million tons despite disruptions affecting several major producing regions.

The US, Saudi Arabia and Iran remained the three largest PE suppliers. However, the US saw its market share decline by 5 percentage points to 25%.

Saudi Arabia and Iran maintained their positions among the top three suppliers, although their shares fell by 1 and 5 percentage points, respectively. The UAE increased its share by 1 percentage point to 5%, becoming Turkey’s sixth-largest PE supplier.

Qatar, meanwhile, slipped from fourth to seventh place as its market share declined by 1 percentage point from the previous year.

Overall, the H1 data shows that Turkey’s polymer imports remained resilient despite severe war-related disruptions. Alternative sourcing, competitive Chinese cargoes and advance buying helped keep import volumes largely stable even as logistics and supply conditions became highly volatile.

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