Northeast Asia– Naphtha Prices August 2026
The Naphtha Prices in Northeast Asia reached USD 1.16/KG in August 2026, rising 4.5%. Firmer petrochemical feedstock demand, stronger refinery activity, and higher crude-linked costs supported the increase. Seasonal gasoline requirements and balanced regional availability also influenced procurement, while steady downstream buying reinforced the upward pricing trend across the market.
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Europe– Naphtha Prices August 2026
The Naphtha price in Europe reached USD 0.72/KG in August 2026, rising 1.4%. Stable refinery demand and modestly higher crude-linked feedstock costs supported prices. Petrochemical crackers maintained regular procurement, while balanced imports and regional availability limited volatility, resulting in a measured increase in naphtha values across European markets during August.
Middle East Naphtha Prices August 2026
The Naphtha price in the Middle East reached USD 0.85/KG in August 2026, rising 1.2%. Steady refinery operations and firm petrochemical feedstock demand provided support. Crude oil movements, export activity, and regional supply availability influenced market conditions, while regular procurement from downstream petrochemical producers maintained modest upward pressure on prices.
North America Naphtha Prices August 2026
The Naphtha price in North America reached USD 0.79/KG in August 2026, rising 25.4%. Sharply stronger pricing reflected tighter regional conditions, higher feedstock costs, and firmer refinery-linked demand. Petrochemical consumption and supply availability influenced procurement, while elevated crude-related costs and changing trade flows contributed to the substantial monthly increase overall.
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Naphtha Prices, Trend, Index & Outlook – August 2026
What is Naphtha?
Naphtha is a light, volatile petroleum fraction obtained primarily during the refining of crude oil. It generally consists of hydrocarbons in the gasoline-range boiling spectrum and serves as an important feedstock for petrochemical production, steam cracking, aromatics manufacturing, and gasoline blending.
Naphtha is particularly important in Asia and Europe, where petrochemical producers use it to manufacture olefins such as ethylene and propylene. Its value is closely connected to crude oil prices, refinery operations, petrochemical margins, gasoline demand, and international trade flows.
Latest Naphtha Prices – August 2026
The August 2026 naphtha price benchmarks recorded increases across all four tracked regions:
According to IMARC, Northeast Asia recorded the highest August benchmark at USD 1.16/KG, while North America registered the strongest monthly increase at 25.4%.
Naphtha Price Trend in August 2026
Northeast Asia
Naphtha prices in Northeast Asia reached USD 1.16/KG in August 2026, increasing by 4.5%. Demand from petrochemical and steam-cracking industries supported procurement, while crude-linked costs and regional trade flows influenced pricing. Strong gasoline and refinery economics also contributed to market support. IMARC reported steady petrochemical procurement alongside changing global supply conditions.
Europe
European naphtha prices reached USD 0.72/KG, rising 1.4% in August. The market was influenced by crude oil movements, petrochemical demand, refinery availability, shipping conditions, and gasoline-blending economics. S&P Global reported that the European market experienced a strong gasoline-naphtha spread during summer 2026, increasing the incentive to use naphtha for gasoline blending.
Middle East
Naphtha prices in the Middle East stood at USD 0.85/KG, increasing 1.2%. Regional refinery output, export availability, crude prices, petrochemical feedstock requirements, and shipping costs remained important market factors. The Middle East is a significant source of naphtha exports to Asian markets, making regional production and international freight conditions important to price formation.
North America
North American naphtha prices reached USD 0.79/KG, representing a substantial 25.4% increase. Stronger refinery-linked demand, crude-related cost pressures, gasoline blending requirements, and regional supply conditions supported the increase. Changes in refinery operating rates and petrochemical feedstock demand also contributed to the region's sharper August price movement.
Naphtha Price Index and Supply Analysis
The naphtha price index tracks changes in the value of this petroleum feedstock across major producing, consuming, and trading regions. Key components include crude oil prices, refinery utilization, petrochemical demand, gasoline blending economics, freight costs, inventories, and international arbitrage flows.
IMARC's August 2026 benchmarks show that prices increased across Northeast Asia, Europe, the Middle East, and North America. Its pricing analysis covers regional markets and incorporates both FOB and CIF pricing structures.
Naphtha supply is closely tied to refinery throughput because it is primarily obtained as a petroleum refining stream. Consequently, refinery maintenance, unplanned outages, crude availability, and changes in refinery product yields can significantly affect regional availability.
Factors Affecting Naphtha Prices
- Crude Oil Prices
Crude oil is the primary upstream influence on naphtha pricing. Higher crude costs generally increase refinery feedstock expenses and can raise naphtha values.
- Refinery Operating Rates
Higher refinery utilization can increase naphtha availability, while maintenance shutdowns and operational disruptions can tighten regional supply.
- Petrochemical Demand
Naphtha is an important feedstock for steam crackers producing ethylene, propylene, and other petrochemicals. Strong cracker operating rates can therefore increase naphtha consumption.
- Gasoline Blending Demand
Naphtha can be used as a gasoline blendstock. S&P Global reported that exceptionally strong gasoline-naphtha spreads during summer 2026 supported increased gasoline-blending demand for naphtha.
- Freight and Shipping Costs
Ocean freight, insurance premiums, port charges, and shipping disruptions affect the delivered cost of internationally traded naphtha.
- Geopolitical Conditions
Disruptions in major crude-producing or refining regions can alter trade routes and regional availability. In 2026, disruptions associated with the Middle East significantly affected energy and refined-product markets.
- Petrochemical Margins
Ethylene, propylene, aromatics, and other downstream margins influence whether crackers and petrochemical plants operate at higher or lower rates, directly affecting naphtha consumption.
Naphtha Supply and Demand Dynamics
Supply Side
Naphtha supply depends primarily on refinery throughput, crude availability, refinery configuration, and regional product balances. Middle Eastern refiners are particularly important suppliers to Asian markets, while Europe also relies on international cargoes to balance its requirements.
International trade flows can change rapidly when refinery maintenance, geopolitical disruptions, freight costs, or arbitrage opportunities alter the economics of moving cargoes between regions.
In August 2026, Russia's overall seaborne oil-product exports increased month-on-month as some refineries completed unplanned maintenance. However, exports of fuel products including naphtha and fuel oil remained 50% below August 2025 levels, according to Reuters data.
Demand Side
Naphtha demand comes primarily from steam crackers, petrochemical producers, aromatics plants, and gasoline blenders.
Asia remains a major consumption center because of its extensive petrochemical manufacturing base. China is particularly important to regional demand and refining activity. Reuters reported that Chinese refinery throughput reached 13.91 million barrels per day in August 2026, although it remained below the previous year's level.
Latest Naphtha Market News – 2026
The global naphtha market experienced significant changes during 2026 as crude supply disruptions, refinery operations, gasoline demand, and international trade flows interacted.
S&P Global reported that the gasoline-naphtha spread reached more than $300 during summer 2026, encouraging stronger gasoline-blending demand for naphtha. The company also highlighted tight European market conditions and significant backwardation during August.
European market data showed that Naphtha CIF Northwest Europe averaged approximately $746/MT in August, broadly flat month-on-month but significantly higher year-on-year. Low Rhine water levels also affected inland logistics and contributed to lower steam-cracker operating rates.
Meanwhile, China's August refinery throughput increased sharply from July as fuel exports recovered, although year-on-year throughput remained lower.
Current Naphtha Demand
Current demand is concentrated in three major applications:
- Steam cracking: Naphtha is an important feedstock for ethylene and propylene production.
- Gasoline blending: Refiners and blenders use naphtha in gasoline-related applications.
- Aromatics production: Reforming and related processes can convert naphtha into aromatics such as benzene, toluene, and xylenes.
Demand conditions can vary significantly by region depending on petrochemical mar
How IMARC Pricing Database Can Help
The latest IMARC Group study, “Naphtha Prices, Trend, Chart, Demand, Market Analysis, News, Historical and Forecast Data 2026 Edition,” presents a detailed analysis of Naphtha price trend, offering key insights into global Naphtha market dynamics. This report includes comprehensive price charts, which trace historical data and highlights major shifts in the market.
The analysis delves into the factors driving these trends, including raw material costs, production fluctuations, and geopolitical influences. Moreover, the report examines Naphtha demand, illustrating how consumer behavior and industrial needs affect overall market dynamics. By exploring the intricate relationship between supply and demand, the prices report uncovers critical factors influencing current and future prices.
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IMARC Group is a global management consulting firm that provides a comprehensive suite of services to support market entry and expansion efforts. The company offers detailed market assessments, feasibility studies, regulatory approvals and licensing support, and pricing analysis, including spot pricing and regional price trends. Its expertise spans demand-supply analysis alongside regional insights covering Asia-Pacific, Europe, North America, Latin America, and the Middle East and Africa. IMARC also specializes in competitive landscape evaluations, profiling key market players, and conducting research into market drivers, restraints, and opportunities. IMARC’s data-driven approach helps businesses navigate complex markets with precision and confidence.
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