April PP imports to Ukraine were 8,700 tonnes, which were almost equal the the March level of 8,800 tonnes. Total Ukraine"s PP imports fell to 32,100 tonnes in January - April 2014, compared with 46,400 tonnes in the same period of 2013. The economic downturn and the subsequent weakening of the hryvnya played a decisive role in the weakening demand for polypropylene at the local converters.

 

Structure of PP imports over the reported period was as follows. April imports of homopolymer PP to Ukraine decreased to 6,400 tonnes, compared with 7,000 tonnes in March because of the reduction of supplies from the Middle Eastern producers. Total imports of homopolymer PP to Ukraine decreased by one third to 24,400 tonnes in the first four months of this year.

 

April imports of PP block copolymer increased to 1,200 tonnes. Ukraine"s imports of PP block copolymers were 3,800 tonnes in the first four months of 2014, compared with 4,500 tonnes in the same period a year earlier. 

 

Imports of PP random copolymers to Ukraine were about 774 tonnes in April. Total imports of PP random copolymer to Ukraine reduced to 2,900 tonnes in January - April of this year, compared with 3,900 tonnes in the same period a year earlier because of weakening demand in the sector of injection moulding and pressure pipes. At the same time, demand for BOPP films increased in the local market.

 

Imports for other polymers of propylene over the reported period decreased to 1,000 tonnes, from 1,600 tonnes in the same period a year earlier.