As Q2 unfolds, most amino acid markets are showing signs of cooling, with softening prices, steady inventories, and subdued trading activity. Methionine remains the exception, holding firm at higher price levels amid ongoing uncertainty and regional supply pressures.
In partnership with Feed Additive Prices
Lysine
Due to limited new demand, lysine HCl prices have softened, and inventories are building across the supply chain, although there is no significant imbalance with demand. Most markets are quiet, with prices not firming further and even softening slightly in several regions. The announcement of the potential re-opening of the EU anti-dumping case has had little impact on sentiment in Europe so far. Q2 and most of Q3 are contracted, and there is no serious interest yet in covering the remainder of Q3 and onwards.
Threonine
Suppliers remain very keen to hold up prices after the recent increase. Threonine is one of the larger volume amino acids and is still profitable at the current market price level. Yet, due to a lack of new demand, prices in some regions are starting to be slightly weaker, although that is not a general trend. Q2 is contracted, and a good portion of Q3 as well, but not all, as yet.
DL-Methionine
Different dynamics in different regions. Although the market has largely stabilised at a higher price level, uncertainty persists. Methionine producers in areas with volatile petrochemical access are facing the greatest supply difficulties. For example, in Europe the market is relatively stable this week, with high prices; at the same time, prices in some Asian countries are firming further. Q2 is mostly contracted, but the question is how Q3 is going to develop.
Tryptophan
The market is relatively quiet and prices are currently stable in most regions. There has been some price increase in recent months, but overall, the tryptophan market price is still operating at a relatively low level from a historical point of view. Q2 and most of Q3 are contracted, and there is a general wait-and-see attitude in the market now.
Valine
Slowly but surely, availability in the near-term is starting to improve. Although significant delays ex-Asia still weigh on the supply chain and, in some cases, existing contracts are not being executed on time, spot volume can be difficult to find. But it seems the situation is improving in late Q2 / early Q3.
