Price trend

According to data from the SunSirs' commodity market analysis system, the xylene market in October 2025 experienced a decline followed by a rise, with an overall downward trend. From October 1st to 31st, the domestic xylene market price fell from 5,440 RMB/ton to 5,330 RMB/ton, a cumulative decrease of 2.02% during the period.

Early October: Following the holiday, the domestic xylene market fluctuated downwards. Demand from the blending industry in Shandong was weak, and major refineries generally lowered their ex-factory prices slightly, while sales remained active. Inventory in the East China market remained low, but market transactions were generally sluggish. In South China, major refineries maintained stable prices during the week, with a generally weak market and prices remaining relatively stable.

Late October: The xylene market initially declined before rebounding, showing an overall weakening trend. In the early stages, demand from the blending industry in Shandong remained weak, leading to a general slight decrease in ex-factory prices from major refineries. The East China market was also weak, while in South China, major refineries initially lowered their prices before raising them. Towards the end of the month, with the recovery in crude oil prices, the fundamentals of the xylene market improved somewhat. Major refineries in Shandong generally raised their ex-factory prices slightly, downstream purchasing intentions were relatively good, and spot market prices rebounded slightly.

Analysis review

Cost Side:

According to the SunSirs Commodity Market Analysis System, the crude oil market experienced a decline followed by a rise this cycle. In the first ten days of the month, the crude oil market was affected by negative factors. On the one hand, OPEC+ had initiated a new round of production increases of 1.65 million barrels per day, and the market remained concerned about the long-term risk of oversupply, leading to a continued decline in crude oil prices. On the other hand, the easing of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, coupled with weakening US demand, and the dragging down of global economic and demand expectations by US tariffs, along with increased US crude oil inventories and the end of the peak US oil consumption season, resulted in a pessimistic global economic outlook and oil demand, causing a rapid decline in international oil prices. In the latter part of the month, OPEC+ initiated a new round of production increases of 1.65 million barrels per day, and the market remained concerned about the long-term risk of oversupply. The easing of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, coupled with weakening US demand, and the dragging down of global economic and demand expectations by US tariffs, led to a rapid decline in international oil prices. However, later in the month, as the US and Europe continued their sanctions against some oil-producing countries, and concerns about the negative pressure from US tariffs and trade disputes eased, the crude oil market trended upward. As of the 29th, the settlement price of the December contract for WTI crude oil futures in the United States was $60.48 per barrel. The settlement price of the December contract for Brent crude oil futures was $64.92 per barrel.

On the supply side:

A summary of Sinopec's xylene prices: As of October 31, the company was operating normally, with stable production and sales. Prices remained unchanged from the previous day. As of October 31st, the price quoted by the East China branch was 5,300 RMB/ton, the North China branch was 5,050-5,250 RMB/ton, the South China branch was 5,500-5,550 RMB/ton, and the Central China branch was 5,050-5,250 RMB/ton.

On the demand side:

According to data from the SunSirs' commodity market analysis system, as of October 31, 2025, Sinopec Sales Company's paraxylene price was 6,700 RMB/ton. This price was applied in East China, North China, Central China, and South China. Plants such as Yangzi Petrochemical and Zhenhai Petrochemical were operating stably, with normal sales. The price was 100 RMB/ton lower than on September 29. As of October 30, the closing price of paraxylene in the Asian market was $792-794/ton FOB Korea and $817-819/ton CFR China, a decrease of $4/ton compared to September 28.

Future Outlook

A slight recovery in the crude oil market boosted sentiment in the spot market. Supply-side changes were minimal recently, limiting their impact on the market. On the demand side, downstream markets primarily replenished their raw material inventories as needed, leading to a slight rebound in spot market prices. Overall, with limited changes in supply and demand, the xylene market is expected to fluctuate within a range.

If you have any inquiries or purchasing needs, please feel free to contact SunSirs with support@sunsirs.com.