Acid Casein Price Trend and Forecast 2026-2027

Acid Casein prices in Germany, the highest-cost reporting region, eased 3.5% in Q3 2026 to USD 10,900/MT from USD 11,300/MT in Q2, as strong Oceanian milk output lifted acid casein production and fourth-quarter contract prices were set below third-quarter levels. United States prices eased 3.6% to USD 10,600/MT, while New Zealand prices eased 3.7% to USD 10,300/MT. Globally, the average eased from USD 10,964/MT in Q2 to USD 10,564/MT in Q3, a 3.6% decline, following a decline of 1.8% in Q2. For H2 2026, this market is expected to stay soft to stable, with Oceanian supply and lower contract pricing offsetting steady demand from food, nutrition, and technical users.

Acid Casein is the principal milk protein, precipitated from skim milk with mineral acids or by lactic fermentation, then washed, dried, and milled into an edible or technical-grade powder. It is used in processed cheese analogues, nutrition and sports products, bakery and meat applications, and technical uses such as adhesives, coatings, and paper. Because it is made from skim milk, this market follows global dairy supply, with New Zealand and Europe setting availability and the global dairy trade price index shaping offers. Milk output in Oceania and Europe, nutrition and food manufacturing demand, and the global dairy trade price trend are what drive prices in this market.

Acid Casein Price Forecast for 2026

The outlook for Acid Casein through the end of 2026 is soft to stable. Fourth-quarter contract prices have been set below third-quarter levels, and strong Oceanian milk output is lifting production, while steady demand from nutrition and food manufacturers limits the downside. Contract negotiations for the coming months are likely to hinge on how feedstock costs and demand evolve.

The main upside risk is a sharp fall in Oceanian milk output or a rebound in global dairy trade prices, which would tighten availability. The main downside risk is continued strong Oceanian milk output combined with weaker demand from food and technical users. Buyers are expected to keep procurement plans flexible, tracking feedstock and freight conditions closely through the fourth quarter.

For the Quarter Ending September 2026

Acid Casein Prices Q3 2026:

• Germany: USD 10,900/MT
• United States: USD 10,600/MT
• China: USD 10,400/MT
• New Zealand: USD 10,300/MT

Acid Casein Prices in Germany

Germany Acid Casein prices averaged USD 10,900/MT in Q3 2026, the highest of any region tracked here, down 3.5% from USD 11,300/MT in Q2, as softer contract demand for the fourth quarter and ample Oceanian supply kept European offers under pressure. Buyers held back from fresh commitments and limited procurement to near-term needs, while inventories stayed comfortably supplied across the supply chain.

Why did the price of Acid Casein change in Q3 2026 in Germany?

European buyers resisted firm offers as Oceanian acid casein availability improved, and fourth-quarter contract discussions opened lower than third-quarter levels. Contract pricing for the fourth quarter was settled below third-quarter levels, shaping buying plans. These conditions were widely expected to remain a key factor shaping offers and procurement planning into the fourth quarter. Regional supply and demand balances continued to evolve as the quarter progressed, keeping price discovery active.

Acid Casein Prices in United States

United States Acid Casein prices averaged USD 10,600/MT in Q3 2026, down 3.6% from USD 11,000/MT in Q2, as spot quotations drifted lower, with the USDA range narrowing at the top as Oceanian production rose. Sellers offered modest discounts to keep volumes moving, and distributors worked down stocks rather than restocking ahead of the fourth quarter.

Why did the price of Acid Casein change in Q3 2026 in United States?

USDA reported acid casein at USD 4.25 to 5.50 per pound in late July and USD 4.25 to 5.25 per pound by late September, with fourth-quarter contract prices below third-quarter levels. Contract pricing for the fourth quarter was settled below third-quarter levels, shaping buying plans. Market participants continued to monitor feedstock and freight conditions closely for signs of the next directional move.

Acid Casein Prices in China

China Acid Casein prices averaged USD 10,400/MT in Q3 2026, down 3.7% from USD 10,800/MT in Q2, as steady import demand from food and technical users met improving Oceanian supply. Spot activity stayed thin as converters delayed purchases, which kept offers soft and sentiment cautious heading into the final quarter of the year. Market participants continued to monitor feedstock and freight conditions closely for signs of the next directional move.

Why did the price of Acid Casein change in Q3 2026 in China?

Chinese importers kept purchases steady but were able to secure cargoes at lower offers as Oceanian production recovered with the new milk season. Contract pricing for the fourth quarter was settled below third-quarter levels, shaping buying plans. These conditions were widely expected to remain a key factor shaping offers and procurement planning into the fourth quarter.

Acid Casein Prices in New Zealand

New Zealand Acid Casein prices averaged USD 10,300/MT in Q3 2026, the lowest of the four regions, down 3.7% from USD 10,700/MT in Q2, as strong milk output and rising acid casein production pulled offers lower. Contract discussions for the fourth quarter opened with buyers pressing for lower prices, reflecting the weaker demand picture recorded through the period.

Why did the price of Acid Casein change in Q3 2026 in New Zealand?

Strong Oceanian milk output lifted acid casein production, and although spot inventories stayed somewhat tight, most volume was committed to contracts, which moderated quotations. Contract pricing for the fourth quarter was settled below third-quarter levels, shaping buying plans. Regional supply and demand balances continued to evolve as the quarter progressed, keeping price discovery active. Market participants continued to monitor feedstock and freight conditions closely for signs of the next directional move.

For the Quarter Ending June 2026

Acid Casein Prices Q2 2026:

• Germany: USD 11,300/MT
• United States: USD 11,000/MT
• China: USD 10,800/MT
• New Zealand: USD 10,700/MT

Acid Casein Prices in Germany

Germany prices eased 1.7% in Q2 2026 to USD 11,300/MT from USD 11,500/MT in Q1, the highest of any region tracked here, as strong early-year dairy ingredient prices carried into European casein offers. Quarter-end offers reflected the elevated cost base carried over from the first quarter, with buyers pushing back and sellers conceding some ground through June.

Why did the price of Acid Casein change in Q2 2026 in Germany?

In Q2, the early-year dairy price rally lost momentum as the global dairy trade price index fell toward its early-July low, easing pressure on casein offers from their first-quarter peak. European offers stayed elevated early in the quarter, although softer GDT results began to cap gains by June. These conditions were widely expected to remain a key factor shaping offers and procurement planning into the fourth quarter.

Acid Casein Prices in United States

United States prices eased 1.8% in Q2 2026 to USD 11,000/MT from USD 11,200/MT in Q1, within the middle of the range tracked here, as early-year dairy rally momentum faded as global dairy trade prices turned lower into mid-year. Quarter-end offers reflected the elevated cost base carried over from the first quarter, with buyers pushing back and sellers conceding some ground through June.

Why did the price of Acid Casein change in Q2 2026 in United States?

In Q2, the early-year dairy price rally lost momentum as the global dairy trade price index fell toward its early-July low, easing pressure on casein offers from their first-quarter peak. US quotations eased from the first-quarter peak as the global dairy trade price index fell toward its early-July low. Regional supply and demand balances continued to evolve as the quarter progressed, keeping price discovery active.

Acid Casein Prices in China

China prices eased 1.8% in Q2 2026 to USD 10,800/MT from USD 11,000/MT in Q1, within the middle of the range tracked here, as strong import demand from nutrition and food manufacturers supported prices. Quarter-end offers reflected the elevated cost base carried over from the first quarter, with buyers pushing back and sellers conceding some ground through June.

Why did the price of Acid Casein change in Q2 2026 in China?

In Q2, the early-year dairy price rally lost momentum as the global dairy trade price index fell toward its early-July low, easing pressure on casein offers from their first-quarter peak. Chinese buyers continued to absorb elevated offers, although the pace of buying slowed through June. Market participants continued to monitor feedstock and freight conditions closely for signs of the next directional move.

Acid Casein Prices in New Zealand

New Zealand prices eased 1.8% in Q2 2026 to USD 10,700/MT from USD 10,900/MT in Q1, the lowest of the four regions, as strong early-year milk prices kept origin offers firm. Quarter-end offers reflected the elevated cost base carried over from the first quarter, with buyers pushing back and sellers conceding some ground through June.

Why did the price of Acid Casein change in Q2 2026 in New Zealand?

In Q2, the early-year dairy price rally lost momentum as the global dairy trade price index fell toward its early-July low, easing pressure on casein offers from their first-quarter peak. Origin offers stayed firm as milk production followed its seasonal low and most volume was committed to contract obligations. These conditions were widely expected to remain a key factor shaping offers and procurement planning into the fourth quarter.

Quarterly Acid Casein Price Trends

Global Acid Casein prices firmed steadily through most of 2025, before accelerating sharply in Q1 2026 as a strong early-year dairy rally lifted global dairy trade prices and acid casein offers sharply, a firmer environment that carried into Q2 and then eased as Oceanian supply improved in Q3 across the regions tracked in this report.

What was Acid Casein Price in 2025?

Acid Casein firmed across the markets covered in this report through 2025, tracking tightening dairy supply and recovering food and nutrition demand, with the strongest annual move recorded in New Zealand before the sharp Q1 2026 reversal and the Q3 2026 developments that followed. Market participants continued to monitor feedstock and freight conditions closely for signs of the next directional move.

Acid Casein Prices in Germany in 2025

Germany prices firmed from about USD 9,600/MT in Q1 2025 to USD 10,700/MT by Q4, a gain of roughly 11.5%, the smallest annual move of the four regions. Tightening dairy supply and recovering demand lifted pricing through the year. Buyers and sellers tracked tightening dairy supply and recovering food and nutrition demand closely through the year, and the pattern left this market positioned for the sharp Q1 2026 move that followed.

Acid Casein Prices in United States in 2025

United States prices firmed from about USD 9,200/MT in Q1 2025 to USD 10,300/MT by Q4, a gain of roughly 12.0%. Tightening dairy supply and recovering demand lifted pricing through the year. Buyers and sellers tracked tightening dairy supply and recovering food and nutrition demand closely through the year, and the pattern left this market positioned for the sharp Q1 2026 move that followed.

Acid Casein Prices in China in 2025

China prices firmed from about USD 9,000/MT in Q1 2025 to USD 10,100/MT by Q4, a gain of roughly 12.2%. Tightening dairy supply and recovering demand lifted pricing through the year. Buyers and sellers tracked tightening dairy supply and recovering food and nutrition demand closely through the year, and the pattern left this market positioned for the sharp Q1 2026 move that followed.

Acid Casein Prices in New Zealand in 2025

New Zealand prices firmed from about USD 8,900/MT in Q1 2025 to USD 10,000/MT by Q4, a gain of roughly 12.4%, the strongest annual move of the four regions. Tightening dairy supply and recovering demand lifted pricing through the year. Buyers and sellers tracked tightening dairy supply and recovering food and nutrition demand closely through the year, and the pattern left this market positioned for the sharp Q1 2026 move that followed.

How We Can Help

Expert Market Research: Your Source for Real-Time Acid Casein Price Intelligence

Expert Market Research tracks Acid Casein prices continuously across every major producing and consuming region, combining Oceanian and European milk output data, nutrition and food demand signals, and global dairy trade price trends into a single, regularly updated view of the market. Our team can help your procurement function benchmark current offers, plan purchases around the trends covered in this report, and build a defensible view of where this milk protein is headed next. Reach out to our team for a tailored briefing or a deeper look at any of the regional markets covered here.