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Propionic acid is a short-chain carboxylic acid produced commercially via the hydrocarboxylation of ethylene with carbon monoxide and water using a rhodium or ruthenium catalyst, or as a co-product of acetic acid carbonylation. The largest pull comes from the animal feed and grain preservation sector, where propionic acid and its salts inhibit mould growth in stored grain, silage, and compound feed. Additional demand comes from food preservative applications, pharmaceutical intermediate synthesis, cellulose propionate production, and herbicide active ingredient synthesis.
Global propionic acid prices tracked close to the USD 1.12 to USD 1.30 per KG range projected for 2026, as feedstock firming and grain preservation demand supported the tone. US prices averaged USD 1.25 per KG in Q1 2026, up 5.9 percent from Q4 2025, as firmer ethylene and CO feedstock costs from Middle East disruptions elevated production expenses while grain storage season restocking and pharmaceutical sector demand supported consistent buying. China's large production capacity kept it the most affordable source, while Germany remained the highest-cost reporting region.
Propionic acid prices held a firm tone through August 2026, tracking close to the Q1 2026 levels across all tracked regions, as firmer ethylene and carbon monoxide feedstock costs and steady grain preservation and pharmaceutical sector demand continued to support the market.
The balance of supply and demand for propionic acid through the rest of 2026 leans moderately firm. Ethylene and CO feedstock costs firmed from Middle East supply disruptions. Grain and silage preservation demand is growing with recovering agricultural output and expanding compound feed production.
The main upside risk is a sharp ethylene and CO cost increase alongside large harvest volumes that lift grain preservation demand significantly. The main downside risk is weak grain harvest activity from adverse weather that reduces seasonal mould control procurement.
| Region | 2026 Price Range (USD/KG) | Outlook |
| Global Average | 1.12 - 1.30 | Feedstock firming and grain preservation demand support tone |
| United States | 1.18 - 1.36 | Steady grain and food preservation demand holds it firm |
| China | 0.72 - 0.90 | Large production capacity keeps it the most affordable |
| Germany | 1.44 - 1.62 | High feedstock and energy costs keep it the most expensive |
| India | 1.06 - 1.24 | Growing grain and animal feed demand holds a firm middle |
US propionic acid prices averaged USD 1.25/KG in Q1 2026, up 5.9% from USD 1.18/KG in Q4 2025. Firmer ethylene and CO feedstock costs from Middle East disruptions elevated production expenses. Grain storage season restocking and pharmaceutical sector demand supported consistent buying through the quarter.
Why did the price of Propionic Acid change in Q1 2026 in the United States?
Firmer ethylene and CO feedstock costs from Middle East disruptions raised the production cost floor. Grain storage restocking and pharmaceutical sector demand maintained consistent buying from distributors and formulators. Higher freight and insurance premiums elevated the landed cost of imported grades.
Chinese propionic acid prices averaged USD 0.80/KG in Q1 2026, up 6.7% from USD 0.75/KG in Q4 2025, the lowest among the tracked markets. Post-Lunar New Year grain preservation and food additive restocking lifted procurement. Firmer domestic ethylene costs raised the production floor despite large domestic capacity.
Why did the price of Propionic Acid change in Q1 2026 in China?
Post-holiday grain preservation and food additive restocking lifted procurement. Firmer domestic ethylene and CO feedstock costs raised the production cost floor. Large domestic production capacity kept China the most affordable source despite the quarterly recovery.
German propionic acid prices averaged USD 1.52/KG in Q1 2026, up 5.6% from USD 1.44/KG in Q4 2025, the highest among the tracked markets. Higher ethylene and energy costs elevated European production expenses. Grain preservation, food additive, and pharmaceutical sector demand maintained consistent buying.
Why did the price of Propionic Acid change in Q1 2026 in Germany?
Higher ethylene and energy costs elevated European propionic acid production expenses. Middle East supply disruptions added feedstock import cost premiums. Grain preservation, food additive, and pharmaceutical sector demand maintained consistent procurement from European formulators.
Indian propionic acid prices averaged USD 1.14/KG in Q1 2026, up 5.6% from USD 1.08/KG in Q4 2025. Growing grain and animal feed preservation and pharmaceutical demand supported buying. Firmer import-linked ethylene and CO costs raised the production floor through the quarter.
Why did the price of Propionic Acid change in Q1 2026 in India?
Growing grain and animal feed preservation and pharmaceutical API synthesis demand lifted procurement. Firmer import-linked ethylene and CO feedstock costs raised the production floor. Middle East freight premiums elevated the landed cost of imported propionic acid and feedstock.
US propionic acid prices averaged USD 1.18/KG in Q4 2025, firming strongly. Autumn grain harvest season mould control demand and pharmaceutical procurement supported consistent buying. Firm ethylene costs held the production floor near USD 1.18/KG.
Why did the price of Propionic Acid change in Q4 2025 in the United States?
Autumn grain harvest mould control demand lifted procurement from grain elevators and feed manufacturers. Pharmaceutical sector buying maintained additional demand. Firm ethylene feedstock costs held the production floor near USD 1.18/KG.
Chinese prices averaged USD 0.75/KG in Q4 2025, firming on the quarter. Grain preservation and food additive demand and stable ethylene costs supported the market near USD 0.75/KG.
Why did the price of Propionic Acid change in Q4 2025 in China?
Grain preservation and food additive demand maintained buying. Stable ethylene and CO feedstock costs maintained the production floor. Large domestic capacity held the market near USD 0.75/KG.
German prices averaged USD 1.44/KG in Q4 2025, firming on the quarter. Autumn grain preservation and pharmaceutical demand and firm ethylene and energy costs held the market near USD 1.44/KG.
Why did the price of Propionic Acid change in Q4 2025 in Germany?
Autumn grain preservation and pharmaceutical sector procurement maintained consistent buying. Firm ethylene and energy costs held the elevated production floor. The market firmed to USD 1.44/KG from the Q2 low.
Indian prices averaged USD 1.08/KG in Q4 2025, firming on the quarter. Growing grain and animal feed preservation and pharmaceutical demand maintained consistent buying near USD 1.08/KG.
Why did the price of Propionic Acid change in Q4 2025 in India?
Growing grain and animal feed preservation demand supported consistent buying. Firmer ethylene import costs maintained the production floor. Consistent procurement held the market near USD 1.08/KG.
Global propionic acid prices dipped briefly in Q2 2025 before firming steadily through Q3, Q4, and into Q1 2026. The average fell from USD 1.075/KG in Q1 2025 to USD 1.060/KG in Q2, then recovered to USD 1.080/KG in Q3, USD 1.113/KG in Q4, and USD 1.178/KG in Q1 2026, a net gain of about 9.6% over the window. Ethylene feedstock dynamics and grain and food preservation seasonal demand cycles drove the sustained recovery.
| Quarter | Price (USD/KG) | QoQ Change | Direction |
| Q1 2026 | 1.178 | +5.8% | ↑ Rising |
| Q4 2025 | 1.113 | +3.1% | ↑ Rising |
| Q3 2025 | 1.080 | +1.9% | ↑ Rising |
| Q2 2025 | 1.060 | -1.4% | ↓ Falling |
| Q1 2025 | 1.075 | - | - Stable |
| Q2 2026 | In Progress | - | - In Progress |
Propionic acid prices firmed through 2025 after a brief Q2 softening. The global average opened at USD 1.075/KG in Q1 and closed near USD 1.113/KG in Q4, a full-year gain of about 3.5%. Firming ethylene feedstock costs, consistent grain and food preservation demand, and growing pharmaceutical sector activity supported the sustained recovery through Q3, Q4, and into 2026.
US prices firmed from about USD 1.12/KG in Q1 2025 to USD 1.18/KG by Q4, a gain of 5.4%. Consistent grain preservation and pharmaceutical demand and firming ethylene and CO costs maintained the upward trend after the brief Q2 softening.
Chinese prices fell from roughly USD 0.78/KG in Q1 2025 to USD 0.75/KG by Q4, a decline of 3.8%. Large domestic production capacity and competitive pricing maintained downward pressure. China held the lowest price level throughout.
German prices firmed from about USD 1.38/KG in Q1 2025 to USD 1.44/KG by Q4, a gain of 4.3%. Consistent grain preservation, food additive, and pharmaceutical demand and firm feedstock costs supported the market. Germany maintained the highest price.
Indian prices firmed from roughly USD 1.02/KG in Q1 2025 to USD 1.08/KG by Q4, a gain of 5.9%, the strongest in the dataset. Growing grain and animal feed preservation and pharmaceutical demand drove the consistent firming through the year.
Expert Market Research: Your Source for Real-Time Propionic Acid Price Intelligence
Expert Market Research tracks propionic acid prices continuously across every major producing and consuming region. The team traces causation through ethylene and CO feedstock economics, grain preservation and food additive sector demand cycles, and regional production capacity. Contact Expert Market Research today for propionic acid pricing data, bespoke market analysis, and strategic procurement advisory.
*While we strive to always give you current and accurate information, the numbers depicted on the website are indicative and may differ from the actual numbers in the main report. At Expert Market Research, we aim to bring you the latest insights and trends in the market. Using our analyses and forecasts, stakeholders can understand the market dynamics, navigate challenges, and capitalize on opportunities to make data-driven strategic decisions.*
Grain and silage mould control and animal feed preservation takes the largest share. Food additive and preservative applications, pharmaceutical intermediate synthesis, cellulose propionate production, and herbicide active ingredient synthesis also consume significant volumes globally.
The Q1 2026 average was USD 1.25/KG in the United States, USD 0.80/KG in China, USD 1.52/KG in Germany, and USD 1.14/KG in India. Germany remains the highest-priced market.
The global average rose from USD 1.075/KG in Q1 2025 to about USD 1.113/KG in Q4, a full-year gain of around 3.5%. A brief Q2 ethylene-linked softening was followed by a consistent Q3-Q4 recovery on grain harvest season demand.
Soft ethylene and CO feedstock costs from reduced petrochemical activity eased the production cost floor. Seasonal moderation in grain preservation procurement reduced buying urgency. Adequate supply allowed buyers to defer restocking.
The global average is expected in the USD 1.12 to 1.30/KG range for the rest of 2026, with continued firming as ethylene feedstock costs stay elevated and grain and animal feed preservation demand grows with agricultural activity.
Germany sits highest on ethylene and energy costs, the United States and India hold a firm middle on grain and pharmaceutical demand, and China prices lowest on large domestic production capacity.
This report is updated monthly. For real-time pricing intelligence, contact the Expert Market Research team directly.
Prices respond mainly to ethylene and CO feedstock costs, grain harvest season preservation demand, and food additive and pharmaceutical sector activity. Crop harvest volumes and Middle East ethylene supply events are key near-term signals.
North America, Europe, and Asia Pacific host the largest production capacity. Because output depends on ethylene and CO, any feedstock cost shift ripples across propionic acid markets within one to two quarters.
Buyers can use quarterly trends and forecasts to time grain preservation and food additive contracts around harvest season cycles, build cover when ethylene signals tightening, and monitor crop output as the primary demand signal.
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