Diesel outlook climbs as EIA flags tight distillates into 2027

The Energy Information Administration raised its 2027 U.S. diesel price forecast to $4.40 a gallon (up 33 cents) as persistently tight distillate inventories—driven by disruptions in the Middle East, Russia and China and higher exports—keep pressure on prices; the agency warns inventories could stay below 100 million barrels this fall and hover under the five-year low through much of 2027, with refinery maintenance and rising winter demand likely to widen the gap. It also nudged the 2026 forecast to about $5.07/gal, underscoring continued price pressure amid ongoing supply constraints.