Chemical Updates

Asian Methanol: Prices stable amid tepid demand, snug supply / Southeast Asia trading activity subdued / South Korea ex-tank costs edge higher

Aug 29, 2026

Asian methanol markets ended the week to Aug. 28 largely stable, as sluggish downstream demand continued to weigh on sentiment despite ongoing supply constraints. In China, prompt spot methanol cargoes traded 50-60 yuan/mt ($7.43-$8.92/mt) higher day over day, although prices remained 35 yuan/mt lower week over week at 2,880-2,910 yuan/ mt ex- tank. Discussions for dollar-denominated CFR China spot cargoes were largely muted throughout the week. A seller was heard offering a cargo at $380/mt CFR China earlier in the week, but buyers showed little appetite to transact at that level. CFR China $9/mt higher day over day, but unchanged week over week at $358/mt on Aug. 28. Trading activity in the Southeast Asian methanol market was similarly subdued during the week ended Aug. 28. Market participants reported a bid...

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