Amino acids markets: Firm valine market – Lysine sulphate also active
The valine market has become active and prices are increasing in several regions. Arginine prices have stopped declining it seems, and there is a bit more buyer interest for Q1 delivery now. Lysine in the USA is still relatively firm, but in other regions it is stabilising after a firmer period. Learn more in this week’s feed additives snapshot (week 49).
Lysine prices in Europe are stable to firm around the ongoing uncertainty of the anti-dumping investigation. Especially lysine sulphate is relatively popular at the moment as it is competitively priced against lysine hcl powder and liquid.
Threonine granular is still tight in the USA and prices continue to go up. In all other regions, threonine powder is stable to weak and availability is good.
Methionine remains weakish and no nearby changes are expected in that trend. Tryptophan is stable to weak. Although Chinese suppliers have started to increase prices, without a lot of success until now.
In partnership with Feed Additive Prices
Lysine
After a firmer period, the market seems to have stabilised again this week. Only in the USA is the market active and firmer, ahead of potential additional import duties. The Chinese market is running well, and the demand for lysine is good. Suppliers have maintained 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 well-contracted for Q4, with a good portion of Q1.
Threonine
Suppliers are trying to make combination sales for amino acids, where threonine is asked to be purchased in combination with for example lysine. Except for the USA, the overall threonine market is weak. And therefore some sales pressure is seen. However, at least in Europe, it is expected that low-priced inventory is drying up now and higher replacement values will have to be implemented soon as container freight and the EUR/USD rate is putting pressure on the price. FOB China prices have been mostly stable until now. Availability is very good so sales pressure towards the end of the year is expected. Overall, very quiet market currently in most regions, except for the USA. Q4 is fully contracted, but Q1 is not yet fully.
DL-Methionine
Slightly weaker prices again in Europe, while other regions seem mostly stable this week. The market seems well-supplied, but the trend feels weak. No nearby changes are expected. Q1 still needs to be contracted for the most part.
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
An active market in several regions and prices are firming. Since recently, prices have stopped declining. One of the main Chinese manufacturers has stopped production and moved the valine line to threonine production, as the market price for valine became too low for them. Another Chinese manufacturer is said to be involved in an intellectual property discussion in Europe, initiated by a non-Chinese producer. Overall availability of valine is good, although fresh offers are no longer visible everywhere as prices are firming and a lot of suppliers have taken significant losses in 2024 due to the earlier continuously declining prices. Market activity is seen now for Q1 in several regions.
