- Naphtha, crude strengthen- FOB Korea Value indicated at $1,000-1,040/mt



Asian toluene was valued at $15-20/mt at
922.50-950.50/mt FOB Korea and at $951-980/mt CFR China on August 18, due to
rising upstream and downstream costs, while domestic prices in China dropped. An Asian producer and
end-user of toluene stated that Asia's supply shortages were "very
severe". Crackers are running out or being shut down for maintenance,
resulting in less toluene. The source also
said that toluene was being used for gasoline blending, which meant there were
fewer cargoes available for refiners. He added that FOB Korea and FOBChina
sellers were targeting approximately $1,000-1,040/mt or slightly lower at the
moment. Paraxylene rose $19-24/mt, to
$1,075-1,100/mt CFRUnv1/China on Aug 18. Naphtha rose $22-27/mt, to $681.59-710.25/mt
CIF Japan. The Indian market continues to
monitor the increase in...