Accounting for nearly half of global soda ash production volume, China is a dominant player in a market that is critically important for the glass industry. China is also a major exporter of soda ash, which is subcategorized by dense and light grade, the former being used in raw material batches for glass production.
According to the Expana Benchmark Price (EBP) for China dense soda ash FOB Qingdao, prices fell 1.1% month over month (MOM) in June, to $185/MT, up 2.8% over the past six months. More recent indications in July point to further declines. Market sources remain uncertain about the exact reason for the price decrease but cited strong competition among producers in China and poor domestic demand.
Although exports have been robust, players noted falling demand from glass manufacturers for raw materials as a result of production cuts due to lower orders for glass jars and bottles globally. However, producers in China have increasingly looked to international markets in recent years, with dense soda ash exports in a strong uptrend. Exports reached an estimated 229,743 tonnes in April 2026 (latest available data), up 6.3% MOM, representing a 58.4% year-over-year (YOY) increase. Bangladesh, Malaysia, and India remained among the top destination markets. Market players expect exports to plateau in the coming months, attributable to the weakening raw material demand from the glass industry.
Written by Andrew Woods
