Lead: August DINP export volumes rose, increasing by 78.7% month-over-month, with cumulative exports reaching the 76,000-ton level. June recorded the highest single-month export volume in recent years, while August ranked second with a monthly export volume of approximately 20,300 tons. Meanwhile, imports remained at low levels, with cumulative imports totaling only 200 tons.
I. Overview of Import and Export Data
| Figure 1: Change in DINP Import Volume from 2025-2026 (Tons, USD/Ton) | Figure 2: Change in DINP Export Volume from 2025-2026 (Tons, USD/Ton) |
|---|---|
| Data Source: General Administration of Customs | Data Source: General Administration of Customs |
In August 2026, China's DINP import volume was 225.48 tons, a decrease of 0.31% month-over-month. Cumulative imports reached 2,302.14 tons, an increase of 56.18% year-over-year, maintaining consistently low import volumes.
China's DINP export volume increased in August 2026, with a single-month export volume of 13,653.71 tons, up 78.7% month-over-month and 198.55% year-over-year. Cumulative exports stood at the 76,000-ton level, up 111.2% year-over-year. Apart from the peak in June, August's volume surged to become the second-highest within the year.
II. Analysis of Export Structure
From January to August, statistical data on China's DINP exports by destination country and region shows that exports were distributed across 56 countries and regions. The top fifteen destinations accounted for a combined export volume of 67,500 tons, representing 89% of the total.
| Figure 3: Distribution of DINP Export Destinations from Jan-Aug 2026 (Top 15) |
|---|
| Data Source: General Administration of Customs |
Russia was the primary destination, with an export volume of 17,936.79 tons, accounting for 23.6%. Chinese Taipei ranked second with 7,125.14 tons (9.38%), followed by Thailand with 6,424.37 tons (8.45%), and Vietnam with 6,078.9 tons (8%).
Table: DINP Export Volume by Registration Location (Jan-Aug) (Tons, USD, USD/Ton)
| Consignor/Consignee Location | Quantity (Tons) | Value (USD) | Average Price (USD/Ton) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Guangdong Province | 31,354.365 | 38,378,160 | 1,224.01 |
| Shandong Province | 17,794.23 | 22,705,324 | 1,275.99 |
| Jiangsu Province | 11,236.865 | 14,021,798 | 1,247.84 |
| Zhejiang Province | 6,345.515 | 8,294,918 | 1,307.21 |
| Henan Province | 4,832.01 | 6,315,651 | 1,307.04 |
| Shanghai Municipality | 3,323.55 | 4,150,982 | 1,248.96 |
| Tianjin Municipality | 916.75 | 1,183,742 | 1,291.24 |
| Anhui Province | 53.62 | 80,345 | 1,498.41 |
| Hebei Province | 53.22 | 71,327 | 1,340.23 |
| Liaoning Province | 46.00 | 69,210 | 1,504.57 |
| Fujian Province | 27.30 | 49,511 | 1,813.59 |
| Shaanxi Province | 8.00 | 16,880 | 2,110.00 |
| Total | 75,991.425 | 95,337,848 | 1,254.59 |
Data Source: General Administration of Customs
It can be observed that Guangdong led in shipment volume, accounting for 41.26% of the total. Shandong ranked second with a share of 23.42%, and Jiangsu placed third with a share of 14.79%.
III. Trend Forecast
The average domestic price of DINP in August was 9,176 RMB/ton, showing a month-over-month increase. Monthly production also rose to the 44,700-ton level, resulting in relatively ample supply. However, as the market trended upward in August, the "buying high, selling low" sentiment facilitated export order negotiations, providing a foundation for increased export volumes.
In early September, international crude oil prices continued to surge, driving up raw material costs along the industrial chain. DINP export transactions maintained a robust level. However, spot shortages occurred to varying degrees in upstream phthalic anhydride and isononyl alcohol, directly leading to increased production reductions and plant shutdowns for DINP units. Consequently, domestic DINP production declined significantly in September, with estimated monthly output falling back to 32,000 tons, a drop of approximately 28% month-over-month. With both pending domestic delivery orders and export orders overlapping, spot supply of DINP remains tight, which may extend delivery times for some export cargoes. As the National Day holiday approaches, the market expects DINP supply to gradually recover. Coupled with changes in production rhythms during the holiday period, cargo supply will increase in October. To alleviate inventory pressure during the holiday phase, shipments will remain the priority before the holiday; therefore, there is still room for DINP market prices to decline. Export volumes are expected to maintain around 10,000 tons.
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