Amino acids markets update: Price trends and regional insights
The global amino acids market has seen varied price movements across key regions, influenced by factors such as currency fluctuations, import duties, and production adjustments. While some markets remain stable, others are experiencing shifts due to supply chain developments and renewed buying interest. Below is a summary of the latest trends (week 12) for key amino acids, including lysine, threonine, DL-methionine, tryptophan, and valine.
Highlights:
Lysine: Prices FOB China have stabilised at a low level. Manufacturers are seeking price increases, but the market remains steady with no significant interest in long-term cover. In the USA, prices are rising due to increased import duties, while in Europe, prices have dropped slightly due to the strong EUR.
Threonine: Prices FOB China have started to rise after a period of decline, triggering buying for Q2 and even Q3. As demand picks up, there are discussions about converting valine fermentation capacity back to threonine.
DL-Methionine: A key manufacturer will shut down a production facility in Europe for 8-10 weeks from May-July 2025. Otherwise, the market remains stable and quiet.
Tryptophan: Prices FOB China have weakened recently, with a slight decline seen in Europe due to favourable EUR-USD exchange rates. The market is stable and quiet.
Valine: Prices FOB China have declined to low levels, while in the USA, prices are stable or slightly firmer due to import duties. In Europe, prices are firmer, and a wide price range exists due to an ongoing anti-dumping investigation.
In partnership with Feed Additive Prices
Lysine
Prices FOB China have stopped declining and are at a very low level. There is a desire from manufacturers to increase prices, but so far the market has remained stable and there is no significant interest to take long forward cover. In the USA prices show some increase due to the increased import duties. In Europe prices have declined somewhat recently due to the strong EUR against the USD. Q2 is mostly contracted by now.
Threonine
Prices FOB China have been increasing slightly in the past week. After a period of strong decline, prices have reached very low levels and seem to turn around now. In several regions that has triggered Q2 buying and even some Q3 buying. Now that threonine is firming again and demand is picking up, there are talked about converting valine fermentation capacity back to threonine. Q2 is mostly contracted and a portion of Q3 as well.
DL-Methionine
One of the main manufacturers has announced an optimisation of a production facility in Europe, which will lead to an 8-10 week shutdown during May-July 2025. Apart from that, the market is stable and relatively quiet so far. Q2 is mostly contracted by now.
Tryptophan
Prices FOB China have been somewhat weaker lately plus in Europe a slight price decline is seen, although that is mostly driven by imports at a lower EUR price due the EUR-USD rates last weeks. Stable and relatively quiet market and Q2 is mostly contracted.
Valine
Wide price range is seen. FOB China prices have declined recently and are at a very low level. Prices in the USA are mostly stable and even a bit 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.
