After a period of volatility and price adjustments across global amino acid markets, recent weeks have brought signs of stabilisation and selective improvement. While certain products are starting to recover, regional differences and capacity changes continue to influence market dynamics.
Below is a summary of the latest developments for key feed amino acids including lysine, threonine, DL-methionine, tryptophan, and valine.
In partnership with Feed Additive Prices
Lysine
Prices FOB China have increased slightly this week, and shipments for additional volume are offered soonest for March shipment for export orders. Suppliers indicate that they have sold sufficient volume for the coming months until CNY and focus on executing existing contracts. Prices in the various regions have stayed stable so far, and that seems to be the outlook as well for the coming period. Q1 has been contracted mostly, and a good portion of Q2 has been contracted as well.
Threonine
Regional differences are seen in terms of price movement and activity. In China, there is still sales pressure, and new capacity will come on the market in 2026. FOB China prices have been stable to weak lately. But in other regions, buyers are starting to look ahead a bit as cover for Q1 is not complete and Q2 is still very low, and as the pipeline from China to export regions is only partly filled, some concerns are seen around availability later in Q1. Importers have been conservative with buying as the price has only been declining until now.
DL-Methionine
By now, Q1 has been fully contracted. Buyers have been taking a cautious approach to potential Q2 purchases, as prices have been coming down lately. Right now, the market is stable again, and no significant buying activity is seen.
Tryptophan
There is a thin line between a stable and a weak market. Prices have become very low, and buyers have therefore become cautious, securing some Q1 volume. Q2 is still open. Suppliers in China continue to expand capacity, but at the same time, are not satisfied with the current low market price. Currently, the market is stable to weak, but under close observation by potential buyers.
Valine
Recently, some tightness was seen in several regions, and prices went up a bit. But the market has become calm and quiet again, and most of Q1 is contracted, and even a good portion of Q2. Additional capacity is still expected later this year.
