DIPE prices in the USA rose by 1.36% in April 2026, extending a modest uptick since March as market conditions remained balanced. The April week-on-week gain reflected tighter spot activity and pockets of buying, following a mid-March surge that set a firmer tone. Supply-demand is broadly balanced: steady domestic output and liftings kept inventories serviceable despite rising crude and energy costs that squeezed margins and added upside price sensitivity. Demand was mixed by end-use. The pharmaceutical sector remained a steady outlet due to high-purity solvent needs, while agrochemical and crop-protection procurement provided solid support ahead of summer. In contrast, distributor and solvent-blender demand softened late in the month. Adhesives, coatings and dye/pigment formulators continued to absorb material for solvent applications. Domestic plants supplied roughly 75% of availability with seaborne arrivals at about 25%; April contract coverage exceeded eight-tenths. Looking ahead, the short-term outlook favors relative stability, though upside risk from energy costs and rail logistics persists, with spring crop-protection demand underpinning activity.
