China's June benzene imports plunge 81% from May to 15,112 mt

China's benzene imports plunged to a 10-month low of 15,112 mt in June, down 80.7% from May due to cheaper domestic cargoes amid high inventories, data released Tuesday by the General Administration of Customs showed.

In June, the average benzene price fell $29.63/mt, or 2.3%, from May to $1,262.73/mt FOB Korea, Platts data showed.

Meanwhile, China Petroleum and Chemical Corp., or Sinopec, has been offering its ex-works benzene prices in East China at Yuan 8,900/mt ($1,207/mt) since May 27.

Benzene stocks in East China remained above 100,000 mt in June and showed no signs of depletion, industry sources said.