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Esterquats Prices, Demand and Supply Overview
The United States paid the most for esterquats in Q3 2026: USD 2,350/MT, up 1.3% from USD 2,320/MT in Q2. Prices there include higher energy, compliance and labour costs. Worldwide, the average rose 1.5% to USD 2,008/MT from USD 1,978/MT, mostly because fatty acid and amine costs rose and laundry makers restocked. What about Q4 2026? We expect a global average somewhere in the USD 1,938-2,142/MT range, with fatty acid costs, amine feedstocks and laundry demand doing most of the work.
Esterquats are cationic surfactants made by reacting fatty acids with amino alcohols such as triethanolamine, then quaternising the product. They are the main active ingredient in fabric softeners and also appear in hair conditioners. This report tracks the bulk price of the common fabric-softener esterquats, quoted per tonne of product, in the main producing and consuming markets. Prices follow the cost of palm and coconut-based fatty acids, amine feedstocks, plant operating rates, and demand from laundry and personal care makers.
Europe is the largest centre of esterquat production and consumption, followed by Asia, where China and India both have growing capacity, and North America. Producers buy fatty acids and amine raw materials on short contracts, so selling prices tend to follow feedstock costs with a delay of weeks. Households in emerging markets are adopting fabric softeners at a steady pace, and detergent makers keep reformulating toward more biodegradable actives.
Esterquats Price Forecast for 2026
Prices should rise through the rest of 2026. Firm feedstock costs and steady laundry demand support prices. Year on year, the global average has moved from USD 1,905/MT to USD 2,008/MT, an increase of 5.4%.
For Q4, the risks are weighted toward higher prices. What could push prices higher? Higher palm-based feedstock costs, plant outages or stronger fabric care demand would lift prices. What could pull them lower? Cheaper fatty acids, new capacity or weak household spending would lower prices.
| Region | 2026 Price Range (USD/MT) | Outlook |
| Global Average | 1,938 - 2,142 | Feedstock keeps prices firm |
| Germany | 2,082 - 2,302 | Fatty acid costs keep prices firm |
| United States | 2,266 - 2,504 | Regional makers pass on higher costs |
| China | 1,659 - 1,833 | Large capacity limits price gains |
| India | 1,744 - 1,928 | Import dependence lifts landed prices |
For the Quarter Ending September 2026
Esterquats Prices Q3 2026:
- Germany: USD 2,160/MT
- United States: USD 2,350/MT
- China: USD 1,720/MT
- India: USD 1,800/MT
Esterquats Prices in Germany
In Q3 2026, the average price in Germany firmed 1.4% to USD 2,160/MT, compared with USD 2,130/MT in Q2. Prices edged up as fatty acid costs rose and fabric care makers restocked. Compared with Q3 2025, when Germany averaged USD 2,070/MT, the current price is 4.3% higher. The gap to the four-market average of USD 2,008/MT was 7.6% above for Germany.
Why did the price of Esterquats change in Q3 2026 in Germany?
Germany edged higher. Fatty acid costs rose and fabric care makers restocked. Buyers kept orders close to immediate needs. At USD 2,160/MT, Germany is 4.9% higher than in Q4 2025, when the average was USD 2,060/MT, and the global average is 6.0% higher over the same period.
Esterquats Prices in United States
The United States' average gained 1.3% in Q3 2026, to USD 2,350/MT from USD 2,320/MT in Q2. Prices edged up as makers passed on higher feedstock costs to formulators. The current level is 4.4% above the Q3 2025 average of USD 2,250/MT. Against the four-market average of USD 2,008/MT, the United States stood 17.0% above in the quarter.
Why did the price of Esterquats change in Q3 2026 in United States?
The United States edged higher. Makers passed on higher feedstock costs to formulators. Traders checked stock levels before committing to larger volumes. Since Q4 2025 the price in the United States has gone up 4.9%, from USD 2,240/MT to USD 2,350/MT, while the global average has gone up 6.0%.
Esterquats Prices in China
Prices in China rose 1.8% in Q3 2026 to USD 1,720/MT, against USD 1,690/MT in Q2. Prices edged up as export orders and fatty acid costs lifted offers. Compared with Q3 2025, when China averaged USD 1,610/MT, the current price is 6.8% higher. The gap to the four-market average of USD 2,008/MT was 14.3% below for China.
Why did the price of Esterquats change in Q3 2026 in China?
China edged higher. Export orders and fatty acid costs lifted offers. Offers were reviewed weekly as contract talks went on. Compared with the Q4 2025 average of USD 1,600/MT, the price in China has changed by +7.5%, against +6.0% for the global average.
Esterquats Prices in India
India recorded a 1.7% gain in Q3 2026, with the average rising to USD 1,800/MT from USD 1,770/MT in Q2. Prices edged up as landed costs rose with feedstock and freight. The current level is 6.5% above the Q3 2025 average of USD 1,690/MT. Against the four-market average of USD 2,008/MT, India stood 10.4% below in the quarter.
Why did the price of Esterquats change in Q3 2026 in India?
India edged higher. Landed costs rose with feedstock and freight. Most deals were settled on short notice. At USD 1,800/MT, India is 7.1% higher than in Q4 2025, when the average was USD 1,680/MT, and the global average is 6.0% higher over the same period.
For the Quarter Ending June 2026
Esterquats Prices Q2 2026:
- Germany: USD 2,130/MT
- United States: USD 2,320/MT
- China: USD 1,690/MT
- India: USD 1,770/MT
Esterquats Prices in Germany
Prices in Germany climbed 1.9% in Q2 2026 to USD 2,130/MT, against USD 2,090/MT in Q1. Prices edged up as fatty acid costs climbed. Compared with Q2 2025, when Germany averaged USD 2,100/MT, the current price is 1.4% higher. The gap to the four-market average of USD 1,978/MT was 7.7% above for Germany.
Why did the price of Esterquats change in Q2 2026 in Germany?
Germany edged higher. Fatty acid costs climbed. Order sizes stayed modest through the quarter. Q1 had brought a 1.5% gain, and by the end of Q2 the price was 1.4% above the Q2 2025 average of USD 2,100/MT. Q3 then extended the move, taking the price to USD 2,160/MT.
Esterquats Prices in United States
The United States recorded a 2.2% gain in Q2 2026, with the average rising to USD 2,320/MT from USD 2,270/MT in Q1. Prices rose as fabric care makers restocked. The current level is 1.8% above the Q2 2025 average of USD 2,280/MT. Against the four-market average of USD 1,978/MT, the United States stood 17.3% above in the quarter.
Why did the price of Esterquats change in Q2 2026 in United States?
The United States rose. Fabric care makers restocked. Contract talks were mostly settled before the quarter began. After +1.3% in Q1, the quarter closed 1.8% above its year-earlier level of USD 2,280/MT, and in Q3 the move was extended, to USD 2,350/MT.
Esterquats Prices in China
In Q2 2026, the average price in China gained 3.0% to USD 1,690/MT, compared with USD 1,640/MT in Q1. Prices rose as fatty acid costs climbed. Compared with Q2 2025, when China averaged USD 1,640/MT, the current price is 3.0% higher. The gap to the four-market average of USD 1,978/MT was 14.6% below for China.
Why did the price of Esterquats change in Q2 2026 in China?
China rose. Fatty acid costs climbed. Sellers adjusted offers in small steps. Year on year the price is 3.0% higher than the USD 1,640/MT of Q2 2025, following +2.5% in Q1. Q3 extended the move, with the price at USD 1,720/MT.
Esterquats Prices in India
India's average rose 2.9% in Q2 2026, to USD 1,770/MT from USD 1,720/MT in Q1. Prices rose as fabric care makers restocked. The current level is 2.9% above the Q2 2025 average of USD 1,720/MT. Against the four-market average of USD 1,978/MT, India stood 10.5% below in the quarter.
Why did the price of Esterquats change in Q2 2026 in India?
India rose. Fabric care makers restocked. Buyers worked through existing stock before placing new orders. Q1 had brought a 2.4% gain, and by the end of Q2 the price was 2.9% above the Q2 2025 average of USD 1,720/MT. Q3 then extended the move, taking the price to USD 1,800/MT.
Quarterly Esterquats Price Trends
Esterquats prices fell through 2025 and rose in 2026. The global average moved from USD 1,915/MT in Q1 2025 to 1,935 in Q2, 1,905 in Q3, 1,895 in Q4, then 1,930 in Q1 2026, 1,978 in Q2 and 2,008 in Q3, a net gain of roughly 4.9% across the window. Fatty acid costs, amine feedstocks and laundry demand set the direction.
| Quarter | Price (USD/MT) | QoQ Change | Direction |
| Q3 2026 | 2,008 | +1.5% | ↑ Rising |
| Q2 2026 | 1,978 | +2.5% | ↑ Rising |
| Q1 2026 | 1,930 | +1.8% | ↑ Rising |
| Q4 2025 | 1,895 | -0.5% | ↓ Falling |
| Q3 2025 | 1,905 | -1.6% | ↓ Falling |
| Q4 2026 | In Progress | - | - In Progress |
What was Esterquats Price in 2025?
2025 was a year of small moves for esterquats. Starting near USD 1,915/MT in Q1, the global average finished the year at 1,895 in Q4, a drop of about 1.0%. Fatty acid costs, amine feedstocks and laundry demand set the direction.
Esterquats Prices in Germany in 2025
In Germany, prices moved from about USD 2,080/MT in Q1 2025 to USD 2,060/MT by Q4, down roughly 1.0%. Prices rose in Q2, then fell in Q3 and Q4 as fatty acid costs and laundry demand moved in turn. Relative to the end of 2025, the price in Germany is 4.9% higher at USD 2,160/MT.
Esterquats Prices in United States in 2025
In the United States, prices moved from about USD 2,260/MT in Q1 2025 to USD 2,240/MT by Q4, down roughly 0.9%. Prices rose in Q2, then fell in Q3 and Q4 as feedstock prices and buyer stocks changed through the year. Since the 2025 close of USD 2,240/MT, the price in the United States has moved up 4.9%, reaching USD 2,350/MT in Q3 2026.
Esterquats Prices in China in 2025
In China, prices moved from about USD 1,620/MT in Q1 2025 to USD 1,600/MT by Q4, down roughly 1.2%. Prices rose in Q2, then fell in Q3 and Q4 as fatty acid costs and laundry demand moved in turn. Relative to the end of 2025, the price in China is 7.5% higher at USD 1,720/MT.
Esterquats Prices in India in 2025
In India, prices moved from about USD 1,700/MT in Q1 2025 to USD 1,680/MT by Q4, down roughly 1.2%. Prices rose in Q2, then fell in Q3 and Q4 as feedstock prices and buyer stocks changed through the year. Since the 2025 close of USD 1,680/MT, the price in India has moved up 7.1%, reaching USD 1,800/MT in Q3 2026.
How We Can Help
Expert Market Research: Your Source for Real-Time Esterquats Price Intelligence
We follow esterquats prices in the main producing and consuming countries, and trace each move back to fatty acid costs, amine feedstocks, laundry demand and demand. Our forecasts draw on fatty acid costs, amine feedstocks and laundry demand across all reporting regions, so subscribers see why a price moved and not just that it did. Need pricing data, bespoke market analysis, or procurement advisory? Reach out to our team.
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Frequently Asked Questions About This Report
Used as the active softening agent in fabric softeners and in hair conditioners.
In Q3 2026, it averaged USD 2,160/MT in Germany, USD 2,350/MT in the United States, USD 1,720/MT in China and USD 1,800/MT in India. The United States was the priciest market.
The global average went from USD 1,895/MT in Q4 2025 to 1,930 in Q1, 1,978 in Q2 and 2,008 in Q3, up 6.0% overall. Prices edged up in Q1, rose in Q2 and edged up in Q3.
Higher fatty acid and amine costs and restocking by laundry makers lifted offers.
We expect a global average somewhere in the USD 1,938-2,142/MT range. Fatty acid costs and amine feedstocks point to a higher range.
The United States sits at the top and China at the bottom. The United States is dearest because of energy, compliance and labour costs, while China is cheapest on large local capacity.
Monthly. Need something more current? The Expert Market Research team is available directly.
Fatty acid costs, amine feedstocks, laundry demand and freight drive the volatility.
Europe leads production, followed by Asia, where China and India are adding capacity, and North America.
Share fatty acid cost changes with suppliers through index-linked contracts.
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