Amino acids markets: Weak threonine and lysine HCl prices in China and Europe

Lysine HCl powder prices have seen significant declines in both China and Europe, with FOB China prices weakening last week and similar downward trends observed in other regions. Intense competition among Chinese manufacturers for threonine market share and volume has driven rapid price drops in both China and Europe. Learn more in this week’s feed additive snapshot (week 10).

Highlights:

Lysine: Lysine HCl powder prices have dropped in both China and Europe, with higher demand for lysine sulphate and liquid leading to an oversupply of lysine HCl. Prices in the USA remain stable.
Threonine: Prices have declined rapidly in both China and Europe due to aggressive competition among Chinese manufacturers. The market is facing weak pricing due to excess inventory and limited new demand for Q2.
DL-Methionine: Despite recent price hikes from suppliers, prices for methionine have remained stable with minor fluctuations.
Tryptophan: Prices are stable across most regions, with Europe seeing a slight price decrease. In China, prices have softened, with fewer transactions.
Valine: The European market is undergoing an anti-dumping investigation, which has caused some price hikes and limited availability. However, the market has since stabilised. Prices in the USA and China remain stable.

In partnership with Feed Additive Prices

Lysine

Lysine HCl powder has experienced notable price declines in both China and Europe, with FOB China prices showing weakness last week and other regions reflecting similar downward trends. Currently, lysine sulphate and lysine liquid are in higher demand, leading to an oversupply of lysine HCl powder. In Europe, the market initially saw price increases due to new anti-dumping duties, though it has since stabilised and weakened slightly. Meanwhile, lysine prices in the USA remain stable, with first-quarter contracts secured and a portion of second-quarter contracts confirmed.

Threonine

**AMINO ACID PRICES**: Here the market prices of 3 important amino acids are tracked – **check it out…**

Chinese manufacturers are aggressively competing for market share and volume, leading to a rapid decline in prices both in China and Europe. Since last week, a notable drop in prices has been observed across several regions. The threonine market is currently facing a downward trajectory as suppliers contend with excess inventory and limited new demand anticipated in the second quarter, contributing to generally weak pricing in most areas. Furthermore, container prices have also seen a decrease in various trade lanes. While the first quarter has nearly reached full contract capacity, the contracts for the second quarter remain unfulfilled.

DL-Methionine

Despite the recent price increases announced by most suppliers for both powder and liquid methionine, market prices have remained largely stable, with only minor fluctuations noted in some cases. Contracts for the first quarter are firmly in place, and by now a good portion of Q2 is contracted as well.

Tryptophan

Prices have stabilised across most regions, with Europe even experiencing a modest decline in market prices. In China, there has been a slight softening in prices over the past few weeks, accompanied by a limited number of reported transactions. Most contracts for the first quarter have been secured, and some buyers have also locked in a portion of their second-quarter needs when prices were relatively firmer earlier in the year.

Valine

The official import registration period in Europe has commenced as part of the anti-dumping investigation into Chinese valine, which aims to assess the potential for retrospective duties in the future. Following a phase of firmer pricing, the valine market has entered a more stable stage. In the United States, prices remain consistent due to a healthy local supply, while in China, FOB prices have also maintained stability in recent weeks. Europe, which recently experienced price hikes and limited availability due to the ongoing investigation, has now seen its market stabilise as well. Contracts for the first quarter and a significant portion of the second quarter have already been secured.