Track Monochloroacetic Acid Price Trend Historical and Forecast

Executive Summary

The global Monochloroacetic Acid (MCAA) market has experienced notable fluctuations from 2024 through Q3 2025, influenced by shifting feedstock costs, downstream consumption dynamics, inventory levels, and evolving trade flows. As a vital building block for agrochemicals, carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC), surfactants, dyes, and pharmaceutical intermediates, MCAA's market performance reflects broader macroeconomic and industrial conditions across major global hubs-North America, Asia-Pacific (APAC), and Europe.

Through September 2025, MCAA prices showed diverging regional trajectories: North America witnessed modest quarter-over-quarter rises amid balanced inventories, APAC posted a slight decline due to muted downstream pull, and Europe registered the strongest increase, supported by export-driven demand and tightening spot availability. Stable feedstock costs-particularly acetic acid and chlorine-limited cost-push pressures globally, keeping production economics predictable.

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Introduction

Monochloroacetic Acid (MCAA) is a high-value, chlorinated organic acid essential for manufacturing a wide range of chemical intermediates. With applications spreading across CMC production, pharmaceuticals, agrochemicals, surfactants, and dyestuffs, the global price behavior of MCAA offers insight into the health of multiple downstream value chains.

From late 2024 to Q3 2025, the MCAA market navigated:

Fluctuating feedstock prices
Periodic oversupply and conservative procurement cycles
Evolving export flows from China and Europe
Sector-specific demand weakness (especially agrochemicals and textiles)
Geopolitical and logistical constraints at major ports
Volatile currency dynamics (notably KRW in APAC and EUR in Europe)
Despite these factors, the MCAA market maintained supply stability backed by high plant utilization levels, robust export channels, and disciplined operational strategies from producers worldwide.

This PR-style report consolidates and analyzes all major developments shaping MCAA pricing and supply fundamentals over the past four quarters, offering a granular view tailored to manufacturers, procurement teams, and stakeholders navigating global chemical markets.

Global Price Overview

The global MCAA market displayed regionally uneven price trajectories across 2024-2025. Overall, the following themes dominated global market sentiment:

Stable Feedstock Inputs Buffer Pricing Volatility
Across all regions:

Acetic acid prices remained largely stable, with occasional declines in early 2025.
Chlorine availability stayed adequate, keeping manufacturing economics predictable.
Aromatics-linked cost pressures (e.g., benzene, aniline) eased in China, further softening upstream costs.
Subdued Downstream Demand
Key MCAA-consuming sectors reduced restocking activity:

Agrochemicals saw softer demand in several quarters.
Textile auxiliaries and detergents underperformed globally.
Pharmaceuticals and surfactants exhibited selective procurement, avoiding long-term contracts.
Inventory Management Dictated Market Tone
North America dealt with elevated Gulf inventories, APAC maintained lean supply, and Europe saw tightening availability-resulting in highly varied price patterns.

Export Dynamics Played a Critical Role
Asia continued to push material into global markets at competitive levels.
Europe capitalized on strong export opportunities into North America and beyond.
Weak import demand from Türkiye, Australia, and Indonesia affected Chinese benchmarks.
Logistics and Currency Pressures Affected Import Parity
KRW depreciation increased APAC import costs.
European port congestion amplified seller leverage.
Rising energy and freight rates created pockets of overhead inflation.
Despite the headwinds, the market showed resilience with stable operational rates and consistent product availability. Pricing differentials between regions remained historically wide, driven by structural cost differences and market behavior.

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Regional Market Analysis

North America (USA)

Q3 2025: Price Trend and Market Behavior

Monochloroacetic Acid Price Index rose 0.48% QoQ.
The average quarterly price stood at USD 911/MT.
Spot prices maintained stability amid balanced production and elevated terminal inventories.
Export competition from Asia limited upside potential.
Procurement behavior turned more cautious, with buyers favoring short-term coverage and opportunistic spot purchases.

Why Prices Changed in September 2025?

Elevated Gulf inventories weakened the sense of urgency across buyers.
Stable feedstock acetic acid and chlorine restricted upward cost pressure.
Weak export demand, particularly due to competitive Asian offers, pressured domestic quotations.

Q2 2025: Price Behavior

Average Q2 price: USD 957/MT FOB Houston
Pricing softened due to:
Weak restocking across CMC, agrochemicals, and specialty chemicals.
Subdued Canadian import demand.
Balanced production rates leading to persistent inventory build-up.

Q1 2025: Market Overview

Price averaged USD 1,040/MT, down 6.4% QoQ.
Decline driven by:
Easing feedstock costs (acetic acid down nearly 10% in March).
Weak agrochemical and industrial consumption.
Competitive Asian imports influencing domestic offers.
Rising logistics and energy costs hampered margins.

Q4 2024: Historical Insight

Prices ended December at USD 997-1100/MT.
Market was oversupplied amid muted demand from fertilizers.
Higher methanol prices threatened cost-push pressures, but demand underperformance prevented price gains.
Fertilizer-linked MCAA usage slowed sharply post-fall application season.
Supply, Logistics & Procurement Insight

Inventories remained high throughout 2024-2025.
Procurement stayed conservative; buyers preferred hand-to-mouth strategies.
Gulf Coast logistics were fluid, preventing supply chain disruptions.
Outlook

North American prices are expected to remain rangebound with limited upside unless:

Agricultural demand strengthens materially.
Asian import competition reduces.
Acetic acid prices begin an upward cycle.
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Asia-Pacific (APAC)

Q3 2025: Price Trend and Market Behavior (South Korea/China)

South Korea's MCAA Price Index declined 1.30% QoQ.
Average quarterly price: USD 444.33/MT CFR Busan.
Spot prices remained stable amid steady acetic acid costs and balanced imports.
Weak downstream demand persisted across surfactants, agrochemicals, and pharmaceuticals.
Producers operated continuously, keeping inventories lean.
Why Prices Changed in September 2025?

Weak downstream procurement reduced spot buying.
Stable Chinese supply prevented significant price escalations.
Port delays and KRW weakness temporarily increased CIF costs.

Q2 2025 (China)

Average price: USD 425/MT FOB Qingdao
Prices softened due to:
Limited downstream restocking post-holidays.
Weak export interest from Türkiye, Australia, and Indonesia.
Declining aromatics-related feedstock values.

Q1 2025 (China)

Prices averaged USD 457/MT, down 5.7% QoQ.
Stable-to-soft feedstock costs maintained predictable production economics.
Steady CMC-related consumption provided partial support.
Broader industrial demand (pharma, dyes, agrochemicals) lagged.

Q4 2024 (China)

Prices ranged USD 457-550/MT.
Oversupply and high inventories pressured prices early in the quarter.
Mid-November shutdowns in Shandong tightened supply.
Export activity helped stabilize the market.
Supply, Logistics & Procurement Insight

Chinese producers maintained high utilization, ensuring steady global supply.
KRW depreciation influenced South Korean import parity.
Importers across Asia favored lean inventories and short-term procurement cycles.

Outlook

APAC pricing is expected to consolidate with potential upside only if:

Agrochemical restocking improves.
Chinese inventory overhang eases.
Currency and freight volatility subside.
Europe (Germany)

Q3 2025: Price Trend and Market Behavior

MCAA Price Index rose 5.03% QoQ.
Average quarterly price: USD 897.33/MT FOB Germany.
Spot prices firmed due to tightening availability amid strong feed-additive demand.
Export flows into North America created additional spot shortages.
Lean inventories and port congestion elevated seller pricing power.

Why Prices Changed in September 2025?

Late-September feed-additive demand created urgent spot tightness.
Stable feedstock costs prevented price erosion.
Logistics disruptions amplified supply tightness.

Q2 2025

Price averaged USD 860/MT FOB Hamburg.
Prices held steady due to:
Strong U.S. export demand.
High European energy and utility costs.
Weak textile and detergent demand failing to drag prices down.

Q1 2025

Price averaged USD 914/MT.
Declines reflected:
Weaker winter pesticide demand.
Lower acetic acid feedstock costs.
Ample domestic and imported supply.
Methanol price increases had limited impact on MCAA.
Q4 2024

Prices declined due to:
Low pesticide sector demand.
Reduced acetic acid costs.
Elevated inventories.
Seasonal agricultural slowdown contributed to demand weakness.

Supply, Logistics & Procurement Insight

Europe's high plant utilization and strong exports tightened domestic availability.
Energy and utility costs kept production economics elevated.
Port congestion intermittently slowed shipments.

Outlook

Europe is expected to maintain near-term firmness due to:

Lean inventories
Strong export orders
Steady feedstock dynamics
Production and Cost Structure Insight

Cost Drivers

Acetic Acid - The primary cost driver; largely stable throughout 2024-2025.
Chlorine - Adequately supplied globally; cost fluctuations were minimal.
Utilities & Labor - Particularly high in Europe, contributing to firmer production costs.
Aromatics Inputs (China) - Declines supported lower manufacturing costs in Q2-Q3 2025.

Operating Conditions

Producers across regions maintained high utilization rates.
Export-oriented producers (China, Europe) anchored global supply buffer.
Inventory buildup in North America contrasted with lean APAC and Europe stock levels.
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Procurement Outlook for 2025-2026

Procurement teams should prepare for:

Continued Rangebound Pricing
Stable feedstock costs and steady supply suggest limited price volatility ahead.

High Sensitivity to Downstream Sector Recovery

Especially in:

Agrochemicals
Textiles
Surfactants
Pharmaceuticals
Preference for Short-Term Coverage
Given unpredictable global trade flows, buyers are expected to avoid long-term commitments.

Monitoring of Port Congestion & Freight Rates
Particularly relevant for European buyers and Asian exporters.

Seasonal Agricultural Demand Spikes
Seasonality will play a larger-than-usual role in price momentum during planting seasons.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Why did MCAA prices rise in Europe in Q3 2025?
Due to strong feed-additive demand, tightening spot availability, and logistical congestion that amplified seller leverage.

Why were North American prices relatively stable in Q3 2025?
High Gulf inventories and weak downstream orders moderated price movements despite balanced production.

What caused APAC prices to decline in Q3 2025?
Muting downstream consumption, stable Chinese shipments, and currency-related CIF inflation shaped the decline.

Which feedstock influences MCAA costs the most?
Acetic acid is the primary cost driver, followed by chlorine.

What is the procurement outlook for early 2026?
Stable-to-firm pricing with cautious buying behavior and continued reliance on short-term sourcing.

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How ChemAnalyst Supports Buyers with Real-Time Insights

ChemAnalyst empowers chemical procurement teams by delivering:

✔ Real-time price updates for 450+ commodities

Ensure your teams access the most current MCAA and feedstock pricing.

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Track the market with granular, research-driven updates.

✔ Full demand-supply and trade-flow analytics

Evaluate inventory levels, export competitiveness, and regional supply risks.

✔ Price forecasts to optimize purchase timing

Forecasting tools help buyers plan purchases strategically to minimize cost risk.

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Identify risks to supply availability and prepare contingency plans.

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Including Houston, Busan, Shanghai, Antwerp, Hamburg, and more.

✔ Experienced analysts across Houston, Cologne & New Delhi

Chemical engineers, economists, supply-chain experts, and market researchers.

ChemAnalyst provides the decision-ready intelligence procurement teams need to navigate the MCAA market with confidence, optimize sourcing, and stay ahead of market shifts.

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