📈[UPDATED] China Exports of 26 Key Ingredients in FY 2025 - Download the report.

Insights

Monthly Market Pulse - April 2026

Additives markets on edge as Gulf risks persist
Back to all posts

The April 2026 Monthly Market Pulse is out – and markets remain on edge.

  • Elevated risk premiums, fragmented markets, widespread hand-to-mouth buying and upstream force majeure risks continue to threaten supplies.

  • US-Iran talks faltered, ship attacks resurged and the International Energy Agency called it the “biggest energy security threat in history.”

  • Uncertainty is expected to remain elevated into at least Q3 2026.

Price performance 2026 year-to-date

Additives and raw materials markets remained highly dynamic in the first four months of 2026 amid Middle East escalation, with prices trending firmly upward and volatility elevated. Risk premiums have widened significantly, with offers frequently retracted or short in validity. Both demand and supply sides are increasingly adopting a wait-and-see approach if longer-term contracts allow. Spot market depth remains thin, amplifying price swings.

Economic Update

The IMF’s April economic update highlighted that the recent easing in inflation is becoming less certain as rising energy prices and geopolitical tensions are pushing inflation risks back up.

  • In the Eurozone, inflation remains relatively sticky, which keeps the ECB cautious and policy restrictive

  • In the United States, inflation is gradually declining but still above target, delaying rate cuts

  • Meanwhile in China, low inflation reflects weak demand, thus it can afford to absorb some inflation without having to tighten monetary policy.

Monthly Special

Livestock populations continued to decline in 2025, across the U.S., EU and Brazil. Overall, bovine inventories fell -3% year-on-year, while swine inventories stay stable. Main drivers are rising input costs, disease outbreaks, climate shocks and regulatory pressures.

Other Key Developments

  • Prices: Additives exposed to upstream petrochemical and feedstock supply chains showed the strongest price surges. The report covers price performance of 30+ feed additives year-to-date and month-over-month.

  • Trade Flows: Chinese Vitamin E exports surged +48% YoY in 1Q 2026 (+10’800 mt) with notable regional trends. China’s DL-Methionine exports set new records in 1Q 2026, up +23% (+17’800 mt).

  • Summer maintenance shutdowns announced by GBT, Eppen, Meihua, NHU, Chengfu, Xiangyu and other ingredients manufacturers going into the May to July period.


Download the full report or get in touch with our team for more information.