US tariffs shake up amino acids market: Lysine exempt, while others hit
As newly announced US import tariffs on Chinese goods begin to ripple through global markets, the animal nutrition sector is bracing for mixed impacts. While lysine appears to be spared, most other amino acids – such as threonine, tryptophan, and valine – are likely to face added cost pressures. This update provides a snapshot of current market conditions, pricing trends, and tariff implications across key feed additives (week 15).
In partnership with Feed Additive Prices
Lysine
It seems that lysine hcl is exempt from the latest announced import tariffs into the USA. The overall market is stable to weak. Availability in regions like Asia and Europe is good and demand seems weaker, leading to potential further price weakness for Q3 contracts. Prices FOB China are stable this week, after a weak few weeks. Prices are very low. Q2 is mostly contracted by now.
Threonine
Threonine seems to be one of the feed additives that is impacted by the latest import tariffs from China into the USA. Apart from lysine, most amino acids will be impacted. Price offers fob China still have a relatively stable to tone at the moment, after a period of strong decline earlier this year. Prices in Europe have been mostly stable last few weeks. Q2 is mostly contracted and a good portion of Q3 is as well.
DL-Methionine
No impact is seen yet on prices in the USA, related to the newly announced import tariffs. More should become clear in the coming weeks/months. Despite several plant maintenance and/or expansion announcements in the coming months, it is a relatively quiet market so far. Supply seems to be sufficient and prices are mostly stable. Q2 is contracted by now.
Tryptophan
Currently, prices are relatively stable, but since tryptophan is most likely affected by the latest import tariffs into the USA, it is to be seen how the impact is going to be. Apart from that, no real changes are seen in the tryptophan market compared to the previous week. The market is still stable to weak. Q2 is mostly contracted.
Valine
Prices in China are stable to weak, while prices in other regions are moving in the opposite direction, and are stable to firmer. Prices in the USA may become additionally firmer due to the announced import tariffs. 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.
