Ethyl Acetate Weekly: Steady Demand, Volatile and Weak Market (23–29 Oct 2026)

Ethyl acetate prices edged up at the start of the week of 23–29 October, then softened again. After a run of consecutive declines prices found a floor, and tender volumes from major producers cleared at a modest premium — briefly easing bearish sentiment. The weekly average still finished above the previous week.

1. Key Indicators This Week

• Supply — the operating rate of ethyl acetate plants stood at 52.30%, marginally higher week on week.
• Margin — theoretical processing margin in East China was CNY 62.53/t, up CNY 96.03/t week on week. In effect this is a swing from a loss of roughly CNY 33/t the previous week back into positive territory (+286.66% week on week).

2. Market Review

Weekly average prices by region

Unit: CNY per tonne, Chinese domestic ex-works levels.

The early-week rise did not hold. Spot supply is ample, feedstock acetic acid moved within a narrow range, and most producers prioritised moving cargo at workable prices rather than pushing the market higher. Negotiated levels drifted down through the second half of the week, leaving the market without sustained upward momentum — but because the gains came early, the weekly average was still above the prior week.

Regional moves were uniform: North China +CNY 98/t, East China +64/t, South China +55/t. South China continues to carry a premium over the eastern and northern markets, reflecting its freight position and its exposure to Southeast Asian export business.

3. Outlook for Next Week

Feedstock acetic acid is expected to weaken in phases. Ethyl acetate producers report slow sales, downstream buyers remain cautious and rational in their purchasing, and new export orders are thin. Without an obvious positive driver, ethyl acetate prices are likely to follow acetic acid lower in phases.

What This Means for Buyers

• Keep buying cycles short. With the trend pointing down, purchasing against immediate requirements limits inventory risk better than building stock.
• Watch acetic acid, not just ethyl acetate. The feedstock is the main driver of the next leg; a phase-wise softening there is the clearest signal that ester prices will follow.
• Thin export orders work in buyers' favour on terms. With new export business scarce, suppliers are generally more open to discussing volume, delivery schedule and payment terms.
• Confirm basis and packaging before comparing numbers. The levels above are domestic ex-works in CNY; they are not FOB or CIF quotations.

This report reflects market conditions at the time of publication and is provided for reference only. Prices change frequently — please contact us for a current quotation against your specification, volume and delivery point.