Domestic benzene prices remain high and resilient, with stable import arrivals leading to a continuous rise in port inventories. As phase-wise replenishment by northern end-user factories has concluded, market transaction prices have fallen significantly. Meanwhile, approaching the pre-holiday stockpiling period, the decline in the East China market is limited, closing the arbitrage window for the north. Additionally, with the decreased operating rates of downstream caprolactam, holders' willingness to sell has intensified.
It is anticipated that port inventories will continue to accumulate next week, and the benzene market will operate on a weaker footing. Attention should be paid to the pre-holiday stockpiling phase and changes in port inventories.
