Amino acid market trends: Stability, weakness, and regional variations
The global amino acid market is experiencing a mix of stability and weakness, with regional variations driven by factors such as tariffs, currency fluctuations, and supply dynamics. While lysine and tryptophan prices remain weak in key markets, threonine and valine show firmer trends in certain regions. Meanwhile, DL-methionine remains steady despite upcoming plant maintenance and expansions. With most Q2 contracts already secured, attention is shifting to Q3 pricing and potential market shifts in the coming months.
In partnership with Feed Additive Prices
Lysine
Except for the USA, where prices are firming due to imposed import tariffs, the overall market is stable to weak. Availability in regions like Asia and Europe is good and demand seems weaker, leading to potential price weakness for Q3 contracts. Prices FOB China were slightly firmer in previous weeks, after a period of decline. Although they are stable still right now, they may weaken further in the coming period. Q2 is mostly contracted by now.
Threonine
Price offers FOB China still have a stable to firmer tone, after a period of strong decline earlier this year. Prices in China have moved up a few cents but for example, Europe remains stable as the increase in China is being offset in Europe by a stronger EUR against the USD. In general, prices are still very low. Q2 is mostly contracted and a good portion of Q3 is as well.
DL-Methionine
Despite several plant maintenance and/or expansion announcements in the coming months, it is a relatively quiet market. Supply seems to be sufficient and prices are mostly stable. Q2 is mostly contracted by now.
Tryptophan
No changes are seen in the tryptophan market, compared to the previous week. The market is still weak. Prices FOB China have been a bit weaker lately and also in Europe a slight price decline is seen, although that is mostly driven by imports at a lower EUR price due to the EUR-USD rates last weeks. Stable and relatively quiet market and Q2 is mostly contracted.
Valine
Prices in China are mostly weak, while prices in other regions are moving in the opposite direction, and are stable to firmer. Prices in the USA are slightly firmer due to increased import duties. In Europe, prices remain firmer compared to some months ago and there is a wide price spread seen between Chinese and Western origin due to the ongoing anti-dumping investigation in Europe. Most of Q2 is contracted and a small portion of Q3 as well.
