Toluene Price Trend Q1 2026
| Product |
Region |
Incoterm Basis |
Price |
Last Updated Month |
| Toluene |
China |
FOB |
USD 1,055.02/MT |
April 2026 |
| Toluene |
India |
CIF |
USD 1,104.90/MT |
April 2026 |
| Toluene |
USA |
CIF |
USD 1,142.02/MT |
April 2026 |
| Toluene |
Brazil |
CIF |
USD 1,176.12/MT |
April 2026 |
| Toluene |
Canada |
CIF |
USD 1,142.02/MT |
April 2026 |
| Toluene |
China |
FOB |
USD 1,058.04/MT |
March 2026 |
| Toluene |
India |
CIF |
USD 1,474.74/MT |
March 2026 |
| Toluene |
USA |
CIF |
USD 1000.89/MT |
March 2026 |
| Toluene |
Brazil |
CIF |
USD 1,474.74/MT |
March 2026 |
| Toluene |
Canada |
CIF |
USD 1145/MT |
March 2026 |
Stay updated with the latest Toluene prices, historical data, and tailored regional analysis
- Toluene prices trended upward across major regions in Q1 2026, with a sharp acceleration in March driven by supply tightening and crude-linked cost escalation.
- Volatility in crude oil and naphtha, influenced by Middle East geopolitical tensions and OPEC+ expectations, remained the primary cost driver.
- Demand remained uneven, with temporary restocking support but overall weak consumption from PX and industrial sectors limiting gains.
Asia
In China, prices were about 5.44 RMB/kg (Spot FD) in January and around 7.33 RMB/kg in March, with a 15.37% QoQ increase and a sharp 29.84% rise from February to March. The January uptrend was driven by crude oil recovery, tight supply in Shandong, and pre-Spring Festival inventory replenishment. However, February saw a decline due to weakening crude support, increased refinery supply, and delayed downstream resumption.
In March, prices surged as crude oil rallied amid Middle East disruptions, significantly elevating production costs. Additionally, reduced refinery operating rates and constrained import arrivals tightened supply. Sinopec, a major player in the region, raised its East China toluene list price by 6.7% to 8,000 yuan/mt ex-warehouse in March, amid tight regional supply, refinery diversions to gasoline blending, and upcoming plant maintenance.
Demand remained weak overall, as PX entered a maintenance cycle and downstream sectors such as coatings and solvents operated at low rates, limiting procurement despite rising prices. Meanwhile, In India, prices increased from 66.20 INR/kg (Spot) in January to 80.15 INR/kg in March, with a 16.88% rise from February to March.
The market was influenced by the Middle East conflict, which disrupted crude-linked raw material supply and increased freight and insurance costs. India’s petrochemical sector, which imports nearly 8–9 million tonnes of polymer raw materials annually, faced supply shortages due to reduced Gulf shipments, while logistics disruptions via Strait of Hormuz increased transit time and costs.
Europe
Prices were about 0.70 EUR/kg (FOB) in January and increased to around 0.95 EUR/kg in March, reflecting a 26.75% rise from February to March. The European market tracked global cost pressures, particularly higher crude and naphtha values. Supply constraints, including reduced refinery operating rates and tighter import flows, supported the upward movement. However, downstream consumption remained subdued due to weak industrial activity and limited demand from the solvent and blending sectors.
North America
The North American toluene market followed a similar trajectory, with prices rising in March due to higher upstream crude costs and tightening supply conditions. Refinery maintenance and constrained aromatics output reduced availability, while trade flow disruptions linked to global shipping constraints limited imports. Demand from gasoline blending and chemical intermediates remained stable but did not fully support the extent of price increases, leading to a supply-driven market trend.
Analyst Insight
According to Procurement Resource, toluene prices are expected to remain volatile, with trends dependent on Middle East tensions; ease in conflict may soften prices, while continued disruption could sustain elevated levels.
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