# Asia's Benzene-Naphtha Spread Slumps to Three-Month Low as Crude Retreats, Feedstock Costs Rise

> The Asian benzene-to-naphtha spread fell below $150 per metric ton, moving into negative territory for the first time since August 11. Benzene prices dropped as crude oil retreated on renewed diplomatic efforts over Iran, while naphtha stayed firm on freight costs and Middle East supply concerns.

- Date: 2026-11-02 · published 2026-11-02T21:16:22.331Z
- Category: geopolitics · region Asia · magnitude low
- Page: https://feedsoft.ai/events/76053-asia-s-benzene-naphtha-spread-slumps-to-three-month-low-as-crude-retreats
- Commodities: [Crude Oil (Brent)](https://feedsoft.ai/c/BRENT.md)

## Why it matters

The spread is a petrochemical margin indicator with no direct link to feed grains or protein. Lower crude prices may ease energy and freight costs for feed producers at the margin.

## Read by commodity

- BRENT: bearish ▼

## Similar past events

| Commodity | Date | Event | 5-day % | 20-day % |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| BRENT | 2021-10-27 | [Oil Slumps as Iran Nuclear Talks Resurface, US Crude Stocks Rise By Investing.com](https://feedsoft.ai/events/44720-oil-slumps-as-iran-nuclear-talks-resurface-us-crude-stocks-rise-by-investing-com.md) | -1.4% | -3.4% |
| BRENT | 2026-04-08 | [The Commodities Feed: Oil slumps below $100 after US, Iran agree to two-week ceasefire \| ING THINK](https://feedsoft.ai/events/10459-the-commodities-feed-oil-slumps-below-100-after-us-iran-agree-to-two-week.md) | -13.7% | -8.7% |
| BRENT | 2023-05-03 | [Russian seaborne crude exports hit 12-month high as Indian imports surge](https://feedsoft.ai/events/36252-russian-seaborne-crude-exports-hit-12-month-high-as-indian-imports-surge.md) | +2.1% | -4.9% |
| BRENT | 2018-11-13 | [US crude plunges to one-year low, extending record losing streak](https://feedsoft.ai/events/6661-us-crude-plunges-to-one-year-low-extending-record-losing-streak.md) | -6.5% | -14.1% |
| BRENT | 2020-03-30 | [US, Russian oil officials to meet as Brent crude hits 18-year low \| OPEC \| Al Jazeera](https://feedsoft.ai/events/54288-us-russian-oil-officials-to-meet-as-brent-crude-hits-18-year-low-opec-al-jazeera.md) | +21.9% | -26.3% |

## Sources

- opis.com: https://www.opis.com/resources/energy-market-news-from-opis/asias-benzene-naphtha-spread-slumps-to-three-month-low-as-crude-retreats-feedstock-costs-rise/

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Data from Feedsoft AI (https://feedsoft.ai/). For information only; not investment advice.