<article><p class="lead">There are still very few cargoes of polypropylene (PP) and polyethylene (PE) from the Mideast Gulf being offered to buyers in Asia-Pacific, and October supply could be limited if Saudi producers prioritise clearing backlog cargoes from this month.</p><p>Saudi producers, who are major exporters to Asia-Pacific, typically offer new allocations to the region at the end of the month.</p><p>Petrochemical feedstock was curtailed across Saudi after an attack on oil installations on 14 September, affecting production of polymers. Several Saudi producers, including state-owned Sabic, said they had resumed supply of feedstock to affected units this week. Producers had earlier targeted to return to full production by end-September. </p><p>But, it is unclear when producers will be able to sell polymer cargoes at pre-attack levels, with producers indicating they may offer fewer cargoes to Asia-Pacific in October in order to meet the backlog. </p><p>Offers were firm last week in China in the immediate aftermath of the attacks but spot prices dipped this week due to expectations of a sooner-than-expected return from Saudi polymer producers. China's linear low density PE (LLDPE) slipped by $5/t to $860-880/t yesterday; PP raffia prices in China fell by $25/t to $980-1010/t.</p></article>
