In the U.S., Paraffin wax prices remained stable over the week ending 28 November 2025. Consistent import flows, steady upstream operations, and seasonal demand from candle manufacturers kept the cautious consumer spending in balance and, hence, market sentiment flat.
Supply conditions for Paraffin wax in the U.S. remained resilient on the back of reliable import flows and stable upstream operations in key exporting regions. In China 鈥� the largest global supplier 鈥� Lanzhou Petrochemical was the only major refinery under maintenance, while other plants, continued to operate normally. As a result, national production and inventories did not change significantly, which ruled out any significant tightening on the export side. Correspondingly, sellers chose a more cautious approach, keeping quoted鈥俹ffers firm rather than cutting prices to chase after thin margin sales, thus safeguarding profitability.
Logistics also helped to solidify the stability, with Drewry鈥檚 World Container Index declining by 2.8% to mitigate the freight-induced landing cost鈥俻ressure on U.S. buyers. With no supply disruptions, stable refinery runs and softened freight rates on the鈥俿ea, supply-side conditions overall favoured flat Paraffin wax prices.
On the demand side, Paraffin wax consumption in the U.S. was supported by the seasonal lift associated with the start of the holiday period. The proportion of candle makers, particularly those producing decorative and gift-oriented items, increased procurement to align with year-end production schedules. But that support was鈥倀empered by signals from retail sector. Bath & Body Works, one of the largest scented-candle retailers in the U.S., projected a high single-digit drop in fourth-quarter sales, citing a decline in demand for its more expensive scented鈥俢andles as shoppers on a budget moved to cheaper options.
Spending patterns for Thanksgiving and Black Friday this year reinforced this trend, with shoppers鈥俿pending more overall than last year but concentrating their spending on more discounted or value-oriented items. These contrasting forces鈥攕easonal strength versus cautious discretionary spending鈥攂alanced each other out, making demand firm but insufficient to drive price gains for Paraffin wax.
Looking ahead, Paraffin wax prices in the U.S. are expected to be range-bound as balanced fundamentals 鈥搒olid supply versus moderated demand鈥� are鈥俵ikely to persist. Chinese export reliability and softer freight costs are expected to bolster supply stability, while sellers' discipline should prevent any downward pressure on Paraffin wax prices. On the demand side, near-term support from holiday consumption is anticipated as well, but moderate growth in premium鈥俢andle sales and selectivity of consumer spending might cap growth for Paraffin wax.
Now that the end of the year is in sight, Paraffin wax converters will probably take a steady seasonal鈥俢autious stance on buying rather than get aggressive with building stocks. In general, the market is likely to remain stable with a firm, but not鈥俿trong upside as balanced fundamentals keep the US Paraffin wax price flat in the short run.
