Asian Benzene: Prices rise on firmer upstream markets / Downstream margins remain decent with low inventories: trader / China expects lower October import volumes

Sep 05, 2026

Asian benzene up $8/metric ton at $1,099/mt FOB Korea Sept. 4 on continued strength in upstream markets. Crude oil futures edged higher during afternoon Asian trading Sept. 4, with both benchmarks on track for their sharpest weekly gains since mid-July. Upstream, the front- month ICE Brent futures contract edged up 13 cents/barrel on the trading session to $95.27/b, while the naphtha C+F Japan marker rose $8/mt day over day to $863/mt Sept. 4. During the Market on Close assessment process, one trade was reported. Gunvor sold an October- loading FOB Korea cargo to GS Caltex at $1,110/mt. In FOB Korea floating price discussions, an offer for Octoberloading cargo was heard at a premium of $55/mt to the October weekly Mean of Korea, with a return bid heard at a premium...

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