China's July benzene imports decrease for fourth consecutive month

--July imports down 51% on month to 107kt

--Jan-Jul benzene imports up 16% on year at 1.7 million mt

 --Benzene inventory in East China main ports recovers

China's benzene imports decreased for a fourth consecutive month in July to 107kt, which was down 51% from June and down 54% year on year, according to China Customs data.

The yet-to-date imports were up 16% at 1.07 million mt on higher imports in the first quarter with wide arbitrage rooms.

However, China's benzene imports are expected to keep increasing. Port inventory has gradually recovered from a seven-year low of around 15.6kt on July 27.

Benzene inventory increased by around 13kt week on week to 52kt in East China ports on Aug 24, according to data released by CCFGroup.

In addition, there are around 11 ships with benzene size at 3,000-mt are expected to arrive in China before the end of August. Aug benzene import is estimated at around 200-250kt.