Amino acids markets: Container prices declining rapidly ex China
Both lysine and threonine show stable prices on a FOB China basis, although it starts to look like there could be a slight decline in the coming weeks. In the regions, the prices will most likely start to decline into Q4, as container freight rates are coming down ex China. Learn more in this week’s feed additives snapshot (week 37).
The methionine market has stabilised after a weaker period and buyers have started to cover Q4. No changes seen on tryptophan, it is mostly stable right now. Valine and arginine are stable to weak at very low price levels.
In partnership with Feed Additive Prices
Lysine hcl
Fob China prices are mostly stable, some manufacturers have reduced the price slightly this week. Consumption is relatively good in most regions. Traders in Europe have started to buffer material, in speculation of potential anti-dumping import duties in 2025 and they are not keen to sell anymore for Q4 delivery. Spot availability is still an issue in several regions. Container freight prices ex China are weakening and that most likely will put downward pressure on prices for later this year. The market is quiet and mostly contracted for Q4.
Threonine
Prices in China are holding up as the availability is still not great and suppliers are still behind on the delivery schedules, although it is improving. As container freight rates ex China are going down to export regions, prices locally are slowly coming down now. Buyers do need to contract some material still for Q4 but have a wait and see attitude. The market is quiet now.
Methionine
The recent weaker market seems to have turned into a more stable market. Prices in most regions have been coming down recently and since this week have started to stabilise, and buyers have contracted most of Q4 by now. No significant changes are expected on the short term as availability seems fine and no disruptions or significant plant maintenance is mentioned on the supply side. After some Q4 buying activity, the market is quiet now.
Tryptophan
No significant changes seen compared to previous weeks. After a period of attempts to increase the price, the market starts to feel stable to weaker. This week the prices in most regions are stable, but new demand for tryptophan is not ample. The market is quiet now, apart from some spot buying. Q4 is not fully contracted yet.
Valine
There is ongoing sales pressure and suppliers want to move material. in 2024 a significant new volume came on the market and suppliers are fighting for market share. The current FOB China price is said to have become below cost price, which is something to keep an eye on. For now, the market is weak in all regions and no signs of things turning around anytime soon. A relatively large portion of Q4 still needs to be contracted.
