Türkiye’s Plastic Raw Material Market in April 2026: Record Imports and Cost Pressure
Türkiye’s polymer imports reached an all-time high in April 2026, while raw material prices surged between 80% and 90%. This sharp increase placed significant pressure on the entire plastics value chain, from manufacturers to end-users.
The Scale of the Raw Material Cost Surge
Key polymer materials such as polyethylene (PE) and polypropylene (PP) recorded the steepest cost increases observed in years. Compared with 2025, prices rose from 50–60% to the 80–90% range. The rise was driven by global petroleum price escalation and speculative hikes in petrochemical derivatives, severely affecting the cost of production and logistics.
The ongoing conflict in Iran and the temporary closure of the Strait of Hormuz amplified both supply-side uncertainty and logistics costs. These developments disrupted refinery operations and increased freight rates across major supply routes to Türkiye.
Import Data and Market Overview
Record-High Monthly Imports
According to ChemOrbis, Türkiye’s total polymer imports in April 2026 reached the highest monthly level since data collection began in 2003. Import volumes rose 21% compared with March 2026 and 12.5% year-on-year. The import value increased by 23%, reaching approximately 717 million USD.
Performance by Polymer Type
| Polymer Type | April 2026 Performance | Main Suppliers |
|---|---|---|
| PP (Homo + Copolymer) | Value up 26% month-on-month, about 300 million USD | Saudi Arabia (41%), Russia, South Korea |
| Homo PP | Highest volume since October 2024, +19.5% month-on-month | Saudi Arabia share increased from 32% to 41% |
| PP Copolymer | +45% monthly volume increase, nearly 77 million USD | Saudi Arabia (30%), South Korea (20%) |
| HDPE/LLDPE/LDPE | Volume up 20%, around 235,000 tons | United States, UAE, Netherlands (for metallocene LLDPE) |
| PS (Polystyrene) | Highest volume since May 2025, +39% month-on-month | Belgium, South Korea, Taiwan |
Saudi Arabia significantly strengthened its market position, capturing a 41% share in Türkiye’s homo-PP imports. This shift reflects the country’s ability to capitalize on global supply disruptions caused by refinery shutdowns and shipment delays in other regions.
Supply Constraints and Strategic Implications
Global Supply Tightness
From early 2026, import prices for PP and PE increased by 5–6%, offering limited relief for suppliers recovering from previous year losses. However, stock depletion from late 2025, combined with limited output from the Middle East, Russia, and the United States, kept the market tight. Unfavorable weather and maintenance-related shutdowns further reduced production volumes.
Suppliers prioritized higher-priced markets such as Europe and East Asia, limiting available volumes for Türkiye. Some producers revised their prices multiple times within a single week, while others postponed export allocations awaiting more favorable price conditions.
Türkiye’s Structural Challenges
The domestic plastics sector remains heavily reliant on imported resins. This dependency creates dual pressure: high prices and limited material availability. Manufacturers struggled to maintain consistent production schedules, increasingly turning to short-term supply contracts to mitigate volatility.
Coupled with elevated financing costs and global uncertainties, this structural dependence weakened the competitiveness of local producers and affected Türkiye’s export performance in finished plastic goods.
Market Dynamics and Risk Outlook
Due to limited global supply, several copolymer categories were subject to allocation restrictions. Industry traders reported steep price adjustments from Saudi Arabia in February 2026 and additional markups for South Korean PP block copolymer shipments in April loadings.
While a modest recovery in overall PP supply was observed at the start of the second quarter, buyers showed resistance to the emerging price peaks.
Logistical and energy-related uncertainties stemming from the Iran conflict are expected to continue shaping the market environment throughout 2026. To ease short-term cost pressures, stakeholders in Türkiye’s plastics industry have discussed potential measures such as temporary customs duty reductions on imported polymers.
Strategic Considerations for Investors and Manufacturers
Entrepreneurs focusing on Türkiye’s plastics and polymer sector should evaluate several key priorities:
- diversify supply sources beyond traditional Middle Eastern producers to minimize geopolitical risk
- explore partnerships with European and East Asian suppliers for higher-grade and specialty polymers
- consider nearshoring or joint ventures to benefit from Türkiye’s strategic logistics location between Europe and Asia
- monitor government fiscal and trade policy adjustments that might temporarily stabilize costs
For continuing updates on Türkiye’s polymer market and trade regulations, visit Trade.gov.tr or follow regional trends through The Union of Chambers and Commodity Exchanges of Türkiye (TOBB).
As of May 2026, Türkiye’s plastics industry stands at a critical intersection. Record-high import volumes and surging raw material costs reshape the competitive landscape, compelling both domestic and international players to innovate in procurement, financing, and supply management.
