The global melamine market remains firm in April, supported by supply disruptions linked to Strait of Hormuz tensions, reduced plant operations, logistical constraints, and strong urea costs in China and Europe. Demand from resin sectors stays steady, while buyers purchase cautiously based on immediate needs. China continues exports to key markets, improving global availability. In May, the market begins to soften as production recovers, spot supply increases, and urea prices weaken, easing pricing pressure across major regions including the Netherlands.
China’s Export Role and May Softening
The melamine market in China remains firm in early April as supply pressure increases due to disruptions linked to the Strait of Hormuz closure. Reduced plant operations, logistical challenges, and strong urea costs continue to support the upward market trend. Buyers remain cautious and mainly purchase based on immediate requirements. Melamine demand from resin applications stays steady during this period. In May, the market begins to soften as production gradually recovers and more material becomes available in the spot market. Urea also follows a similar pattern with improving supply conditions and weaker demand. China continues exporting melamine to major importing countries such as India, Egypt, Turkey, Vietnam, and Brazil, supporting wider global availability.
The Melamine market in Netherlands, prices increased during April amid tight supply conditions and higher feedstock urea costs across the European market. The rise in urea values was largely linked to supply disruptions and trade uncertainty following tensions and partial closure concerns around the Strait of Hormuz, which affected global fertilizer and nitrogen product flows. European producers faced elevated production expenses, supporting firmer melamine offers in the Dutch market. Netherlands exporters maintained steady shipments to France, where import demand remained stable. Consumption from laminates resin, coatings resin, and adhesive resin sectors stayed moderate. However, at the beginning of May, melamine prices started to decline slightly as supply availability improved, and urea prices softened.
What Comes Next
In the short-term market outlook, melamine production in China is expected to decline in the upcoming weeks as feedstock urea availability tightens, putting pressure on supply for laminates, adhesives, and coating resins. In contrast, the Netherlands is likely to see higher output as urea supply improves, even though regional conditions remain relatively tight. Overall, the European melamine market is expected to remain firm, supported by steady demand and ongoing supply constraints in the near term.
At Price-Watch™, we provide real-time Melamine pricing intelligence, feedstock tracking, freight monitoring, and regional trade flow analysis across global markets. From upstream urea and natural gas cost movements to downstream laminates, resins, adhesives, and construction demand trends, our platform helps manufacturers, traders, and procurement teams respond faster, manage supply-side risks more effectively, and stay ahead of rapidly evolving market dynamics.