MOSCOW (MRC) - Imports of unmixed polyvinyl chloride (PVC) to Kazakhstan dropped to about 850 tonnes in January 2015, down five times compared with January 2014, according to MRC DataScope.
Peak of external supplies of unmixed PVC in Kazakhstan occurred for September 2014, after which PVC imports gradually began to decline.
In January this year, PVC imports in the country dropped to the level of 850 tonnes, while in January 2014 PVC imports were 4,300 tonnes, and in December 2014 - 1,200 tonnes. Such a serious decline in PVC imports in Kazakhstan is explained by a fall in demand for finished products from local producers and the complete cessation of further re-imports of resin in Russia.
Some local converters reported that in recent months the demand for their finished PVC products declined in times. Due to a serious devaluation of the rouble Russian goods are cheaper than Kazakh ones on average by 40%, with the greatest competition from Russian converters felt in the northern regions of Kazakhstan, bordering Russia.
The main suppliers of PVC in the local market were producers from China, with their share in January 2015 made 100%.
MRC