#Singapore #Argus Media #Anna #Naphtha Pricing

Argus Launches ANNA: A New Era for Naphtha Pricing in Northeast Asia

In a move aimed at enhancing regional transparency within the Northeast Asian petrochemical market, Argus Media has officially introduced the Argus Naphtha Northeast Asia (ANNA) daily price assessment. Launched on November 26, 2025, this new benchmark is a significant addition to the pricing landscape, especially considering the increasing demand from China for this essential petrochemical feedstock.

The Rising Demand for Naphtha

As China's petrochemical production capabilities surge, so does its demand for naphtha, which serves as a vital feedstock for various chemical processes. Recent statistics reveal that naphtha imports to China have skyrocketed by an astonishing 160% since 2017, now reaching approximately 1.3 million tons per month. This fast-paced growth reflects the country’s ambitions in the petrochemical industry, showcasing a critical change in regional trade dynamics.

In contrast, other major markets in Northeast Asia, such as Japan and South Korea, have seen a decline in their naphtha imports. This divergence highlights the necessity for a pricing mechanism that accurately represents the evolving trade landscape, particularly the robust activity emerging from China.

Addressing Pricing Gaps

Historically, existing price benchmarks for naphtha have largely been influenced by market activities in Japan and South Korea, often sidelining Chinese transactions. This disconnect in pricing is something the ANNA assessment aims to rectify. The ANNA index provides an outright price for naphtha cargoes of 25,000 tons, scheduled for delivery 30 to 45 days ahead. Importantly, it will take into consideration trades not only from South Korea and Japan but also those delivered to and from China, thereby encompassing a broader spectrum of the market.

Adrian Binks, Chairman and CEO of Argus Media, emphasized the importance of this initiative by stating, "We are pleased to bring new price transparency to northeast Asia naphtha markets, especially because of the growing significance of Chinese imports." He further noted that the ANNA price complements Argus' suite of global feedstock and petrochemical assessments, thus providing market participants with a clearer, more representative view of pricing trends across Japan, South Korea, and China.

The Role of Argus in the Market

Argus Media, with its extensive reputation as a leading independent provider of market intelligence, continues to deliver vital price assessments across global energy and commodity markets. Their prices are already trusted benchmarks used extensively in Asia-Pacific markets for various petrochemical feedstocks. For instance, petroleum gas imports to many cracking facilities are frequently linked to the Argus Far East Index (AFEI), while Indian state-run companies have integrated the Argus Mideast Gulf spot naphtha assessment in their pricing baskets.

Moreover, Argus maintains a robust international presence, with nearly 1,500 employees distributed across 30 offices located in key commodity trading hubs worldwide. The data provided by Argus helps companies, trading firms, and governments in over 160 countries navigate market decisions, analyze situations, manage risks, and plan for the long term.

The introduction of the ANNA assessment marks a pivotal development in naphtha pricing in Northeast Asia, aligning with the ongoing transformation driven by the growing strength of China in the global petrochemical market. For industry stakeholders, this means enhanced visibility into market dynamics and more accurate pricing indicators moving forward.

As Argus continues to evolve the framework for assessing energy and commodity prices, the ANNA assessment stands as a testament to the company’s commitment to fostering transparency and facilitating informed trading practices in an ever-changing market landscape.