Price-Watch™ provides price assessments for Dimethyl Terephthalate (DMT) across top trading regions:
Asia-pacific
- DMT Briquette (Purity: 99.9%) FOB Busan, South Korea
- DMT Briquette (Purity: 99.9%) CIF Nhava Sheva (South Korea), India
- DMT Briquette (Purity: 99.9%) Ex-Mumbai, India
- DMT Briquette (Purity: 99.9%) CIF Jakarta (South Korea), Indonesia
- DMT Briquette (Purity: 99.9%) CIF Yokohama (South Korea), Japan
- DMT Briquette (Purity: 99.9%) CIF Shanghai (South Korea), China
North America
- DMT Briquette (Purity: 99.9%) CIF Houston (Germany), USA
Europe
- DMT Briquette (Purity: 99.9%) FOB Hamburg, Germany
Note: In assessments structured as CIF [Importing Port] (Exporting Country), the country mentioned in brackets indicates the primary origin of supply (exporting country), while the named port refers to the destination port in the importing country. Other Incoterms (FOB, FD, EXW, etc.) should be interpreted in accordance with standard international trade definitions.
Dimethyl Terephthalate (DMT) Price Trend Q1 2026
The worldwide Dimethyl Terephthalate (DMT) market saw a robust development during Q1 2026, with prices rising by around 3–8%, driven by favorable demand fundamentals and unchanged prices of raw materials. Within the APAC region, specifically South Korea, an increasing trend is observed amid rising demand for the material from polyester and PET applications, along with stable supply fundamentals.
The operating rate of producers remained balanced, ensuring good availability and rising prices. On the other hand, the European market also demonstrated robustness in Q1 2026 against the backdrop of increasing buyer interest and stable inventories, contributing to the upside momentum.
Stable feedstocks, which are linked to crude oil prices, also played a role in rising prices. Overall, the worldwide DMT market showed healthy growth in Q1 2026, driven by robust demand from downstream industries, stable supply fundamentals, and unchanged prices of cost-supporting materials.
South Korea: DMT Export prices FOB Busan, South Korea; Grade – Briquette (Purity: 99.9%)
The DMT price in South Korea during Q1 2026 have shown a robust increase, rising by about 5.3% during the period. The biggest price rise has taken place in the last month of the quarter, that is, March 2026. DMT price trend in South Korea has strengthen considering higher prices of PTA owing to lower production of ethylene by YNCC on account of raw material shortages caused by delayed imports of naphtha.
In March 2026, DMT price in South Korea have shown an increase of roughly 13.6% considering tight supply and high production costs. Lotte Chemical has been running below its normal capacity, resulting in tighter regional supply. Higher production costs in South Korea have resulted from a decline in ethylene supplies by Hanwha and delayed shipments of naphtha via the Strait of Hormuz.
India (Ex-Mumbai): DMT Domestically traded prices Ex-Mumbai; Grade – Briquette (Purity: 99.9%)
DMT prices in India in Q1 2026 have been witnessing a strong upward trend, reflecting an increase of around 7.9% over the quarter. The major price increase is observed in the last month of the quarter, i.e., March, amid ongoing disruptions in the Middle East.
The DMT price trend in India has been strengthening as delayed shipments of Paraxylene from Saudi Arabia have been tightening feedstock availability in the domestic market. In March 2026, DMT prices in India have been increasing by approximately 23.0%, reflecting sharp cost escalation and strong market fundamentals.
Levels have been reaching historically high points as strong domestic demand and limited availability have been supporting higher procurement activity. China suppliers have been increasing export offers, contributing to continued price increases. CIF offers have been remaining delayed due to logistical uncertainties, restricting spot availability.
Indonesia: DMT Import prices CIF Jakarta (South Korea), Indonesia; Grade – Briquette (Purity: 99.9%)
DMT prices in Indonesia (CIF Jakarta from South Korea) in Q1 2026 have been witnessing a firm upward trend, reflecting an increase of around 5.1% over the quarter. The DMT price trend in Indonesia has been strengthening as higher upstream PTA and Paraxylene costs in South Korea have been supporting elevated import offers.
Supply availability has been remaining steady, but tighter regional conditions and reduced operating rates have been limiting excess material, which has been supporting firmer levels. Import dependency has been remaining high, which has been increasing sensitivity to global cost movements.
Freight rates have been increasing amid shipping disruptions, which have been adding further pressure. Buyers have been maintaining steady procurement to meet polyester demand. In March 2026, DMT prices in Indonesia have been increasing by approximately 13.1%, reflecting sustained cost push factors and firm supplier sentiment.
Japan: DMT Import prices CIF Yokohama (South Korea), Japan; Grade – Briquette (Purity: 99.9%)
DMT prices in Japan (CIF Yokohama from South Korea) in Q1 2026 have been witnessing a firm upward trend, reflecting an increase of around 5.2% over the quarter. The DMT price trend in Japan has been strengthening as higher upstream PTA and Paraxylene costs have been supporting elevated import offers.
Supply availability has been remaining balanced, but tighter regional conditions have been limiting excess supply, which has been supporting firmer levels. Import reliance has been remaining significant, which has been increasing exposure to global cost fluctuations.
Freight rates have been increasing, which have been adding upward pressure. Buyers have been maintaining stable procurement to support demand. In March 2026, DMT prices in Japan have been increasing by approximately 13.3%, reflecting continued cost escalation and firm supplier sentiment.
China: DMT Import prices CIF Shanghai (South Korea), China; Grade – Briquette (Purity: 99.9%)
DMT prices in China (CIF Shanghai from South Korea) in Q1 2026 have been witnessing a firm upward trend, reflecting an increase of around 5.2% over the quarter. The DMT price trend in China has been strengthening as higher upstream PTA and Paraxylene costs have been supporting elevated import offers. Supply availability has been remaining sufficient, but regional tightening and firm feedstock costs have been supporting higher levels.
Import volumes have been remaining consistent, while buyers have been maintaining steady procurement. Freight rates have been increasing due to shipping uncertainties, which have been adding upward pressure.
Market sentiment has been remaining firm as cost push factors have been dominating. In March 2026, DMT prices in China have been increasing by approximately 13.4%, reflecting sustained cost escalation and firm supplier sentiment.
Germany: DMT Domestically traded prices FD Hamburg, Germany; Grade – Briquette (Purity: 99.9%)
DMT prices in Germany in Q1 2026 have been witnessing a moderate upward trend, reflecting an increase of around 3.4% over the quarter. The DMT price trend in Germany has been strengthening as global LNG prices have been increasing due to supply constraints and disruptions through the Strait of Hormuz, which have been raising energy costs.
A significant portion of LNG trade has been facing disruptions, which has been adding cost pressure on production. Paraxylene supply has been tightening, which has been increasing PTA production costs and has been supporting higher levels. In March 2026, DMT prices in Germany have been increasing by approximately 9.2%, reflecting continued cost escalation and firm energy-driven conditions.
USA: DMT Import prices CIF Houston (Germany), USA; Grade – Briquette (Purity: 99.9%)
DMT prices in the USA (CIF Houston from Germany) in Q1 2026 have been witnessing a moderate upward trend, reflecting an increase of around 3.3% over the quarter. The DMT price trend in the USA has been strengthening as higher upstream Paraxylene and PTA costs in Europe have been supporting elevated import offers.
Supply availability has been remaining steady, but increased energy costs and tighter feedstock conditions have been supporting firmer levels. Import dependency has been contributing to sensitivity toward global cost movements.
Freight rates have been increasing, which have been adding upward pressure. Buyers have been maintaining cautious procurement. In March 2026, DMT prices in the USA have been increasing by approximately 8.8%, reflecting continued cost support and improved supplier sentiment.







