Amino acids market relatively quiet
The valine market was active the last couple of weeks, but has become calmer now. After a long period of price decline, the market has turned around and prices have been going up. Most forward contracts have been concluded by now. Learn more in this week’s feed additives snapshot (week 50).
Arginine prices have been a bit firmer compared to the previous period. It is still a relatively small amino acid, so there is not a lot of activity seen anyway. Lysine hcl powder and liquid have become relatively quiet and stable, after an active period. The market in the USA is a bit tighter, but that is also slowing down as buffers have been taken. Lysine sulphate has been competitive against other forms of lysine, so a bit of activity seen for lysine sulphate. Europe is still waiting for anti-dumping investigation outcomes.
Threonine is showing some activity in Europe for the remainder of Q1 and start of Q2, considering lead times ex China and that prices have stopped going down for now. Threonine granular remains tight in the USA. Methionine remains weakish and no nearby changes are expected in that trend. Tryptophan is stable to weak.
In partnership with Feed Additive Prices
Lysine
No change has been seen or reported in the lysine market compared to the previous week. After a firmer period, the market seems to have stabilized. Only in the USA, the market is still active and firmer, ahead of potential additional import duties. The Chinese market is running well, and the demand for lysine is good as China is buffering for the Chinese New Year holidays. Suppliers have kept stable prices this week. The European market is still very uncertain, pending the investigation into the potential anti-dumping of Chinese lysine. The market is quiet overall and mostly contracted for Q1.
Threonine
Some changes are seen in the threonine market in China and Europe. The local market in China is starting to buffer stock for the Chinese New Year holiday at the end of January. Buyers in Europe are starting to cover the remainder of Q1 needs as the price is increasing a bit due to the weak EUR against the USD and firmer container freight rate. In the USA, the market is still firm for specifically threonine granular products. FOB China prices have been mostly stable until now. Q4 is fully contracted, and most of Q1 is as well.
DL-Methionine
Slightly weaker prices again in Europe, while other regions seem mostly stable this week. Some of the Chinese suppliers are not keen to offer right now. The market seems well-supplied, but the trend feels weak. No nearby changes are expected. Q1 is not fully contracted yet.
Tryptophan
The tryptophan market overall is weak. Although Chinese suppliers are trying to move prices back up. Supply is plentiful and prices continue to weaken in almost all regions for some months already. No nearby change is foreseen in this trend. Q4 is mostly contracted, but Q1 is still mostly open.
Valine
After an active market in several regions last week, and firmer prices in general, it is now cooling down again in terms of actual transactions. After a long period of price decline in 2024, recently the market turned around and Q1 and a portion of Q2 have been contracted. Prices have moved up by around 20%. It is now getting calmer and quieter again, although higher prices seem to be sticking, at least for now.
