In the first quarter of 2024, Ethylene-Vinyl Acetate (EVA) prices exhibited a mixed trend across key regions, with notable variations in countries like South Korea, Saudi Arabia, and the USA. In South Korea, EVA prices experienced a slight decrease of 4.5% from the previous quarter due to a combination of abundant supply and moderate demand, particularly in industries like textiles and packaging, which was not fully recovered. Meanwhile, Saudi Arabia saw a slight rise in prices driven by growing demand from its expanding construction and automotive sectors supported by robust demand from the renewable energy sector, especially solar panel production, as well as tight supply conditions due to production adjustments. In the USA, EVA prices decreased due to reduced demand from key industries such as packaging, footwear, and construction, as inflation affected consumer spending.
During the second quarter of 2024, Ethylene-Vinyl Acetate (EVA) prices continued to show divergent trends across these regions. In South Korea, prices saw a further slight decrease, primarily due to sluggish demand from key sectors such as packaging and consumer goods, alongside manufacturers maintaining higher inventory levels. Conversely, Saudi Arabia experienced a steady decrease in prices as demand continued to weaken, particularly from the automotive and packaging industries. The USA also saw a moderate price decrease, demand remained sluggish, particularly in sectors like packaging and footwear, as economic uncertainty and inflationary pressures persisted, dampening consumer spending and industrial activity.
In the third quarter of 2024, EVA prices in South Korea showed a slight increase, reaching approximately USD 1355/MT in August. This uptick was driven by a combination of supply chain adjustments and recovering demand from the packaging and automotive sectors, particularly as global economic conditions began to stabilize. On a global scale, the EVA market experienced variations, with Europe seeing price increases due to tighter inventories, while other regions like the USA and Saudi Arabia saw moderate price decline as demand fell. Global factors, such as feedstock Ethylene and Vinyl acetate costs and geopolitical tensions, contributed to the overall upward pressure on EVA prices during this period.
Looking ahead to the fourth quarter of 2024, the EVA (Ethylene-Vinyl Acetate) market is expected to exhibit a mixed trend. In South Korea, product prices are anticipated to decline due to several factors, including ample availability of EVA by year-end and reduced trading activity during the festive season. Additionally, demand from downstream sectors, such as the automotive and packaging industries, may begin to taper off with the arrival of winter. Overseas demand is also likely to slow during this period. In contrast, the EVA market in Europe, Saudi Arabia, and the U.S. is expected to see price increases. This growth will be driven by robust demand from downstream industries, particularly solar panel manufacturing, as many countries continue shifting toward renewable energy sources. The strong demand from the solar panel sector is likely to support the market during this forecasted period.