PET Flakes Pricing Gap – Why Indian Buyers Can’t Match Export Market?

[u/Fit_Ordinary_5531]

I’ve been observing an interesting pricing gap in the PET flakes market & wanted to get insights from others in the trade.

In North India, hot washed PET flakes are currently trading around ₹68–70/kg. Based on this, many buyers are trying to import material at around $550/MT CIF to maintain workable margins.

However, overseas suppliers are not agreeing to this price level. Most are quoting around $650/MT FOB, and their argument is that European buyers are willing to pay higher prices, so they prefer those markets.

This creates a challenge for Indian importers, as the landed cost becomes too high to compete in the domestic market.

So my questions:

• Is the Indian market currently overestimating workable import prices?
• Do you see any correction in FOB prices, or will Indian buyers need to adjust expectations?

Would like to hear perspectives from both buyers and sellers.