In Q1 2025, Butyric Acid prices experienced a downturn, falling to USD 1068/MT, a 2.33% decrease from the previous quarter. This decline was driven by weak demand from industries like food, beverages, and cosmetics, with buyers holding off due to high inventory levels and market uncertainties. The influx of affordable imports, especially from Asia, further pressured local prices.
Despite these challenges, China’s manufacturing capacity remained steady, ensuring a reliable supply. In the USA, prices dropped 7.89% to USD 1262/MT, due to oversupply and weak demand. Meanwhile, Sweden saw a minimal increase of 0.05%, remaining at USD 1341/MT, reflecting stable market conditions and steady demand.
According to the PriceWatch, the prices of Butyric Acid showed mixed trends in Q2 2025. China’s prices decreased to 1,049 USD per metric ton, a 1.74% drop from Q1 2025, driven by lower demand from Singapore and Peru. Seasonal slowdowns in the food and animal feed industries also contributed to this decline.
In contrast, the USA saw a modest 0.42% reduction, with prices reaching 1,257 USD per MT. The market remained stable due to steady demand from the chemicals and agriculture sectors. Sweden, however, experienced a significant 4.72% increase, with prices rising to 1,405 USD per metric ton.
This was driven by higher demand in Europe, especially in the flavor, fragrance, and animal feed industries. The price trend in Sweden reflects strong export activity, stable feedstock supply, and favorable market conditions, making it competitive despite weaker trends from China and the USA.
In Q1 2024, Butyric Acid prices in China declined by approximately 4.5%, driven by increased production capacity among local chemical manufacturers, leading to a market surplus. This surplus, coupled with stable or decreasing feedstock prices like butyl acetate and butyl alcohol, reduced production costs and enabled manufacturers to pass on savings.
Additionally, a temporary dip in demand from industries like flavors, fragrances, paints, and coatings contributed to the price reduction. Meanwhile, USA prices decreased by 5.51% to USD 1240/MT, due to reduced demand. In contrast, Sweden saw a slight increase of 1.25%, reaching USD 1335/MT, benefiting from steady market conditions and a stable rise in prices.
In Q2 2024, Butyric Acid prices continued to decline by 1.9%, falling to USD 1249/MT. This was mainly due to weakened demand in key sectors such as flavors, fragrances, and coatings. Although manufacturers began replenishing inventories for seasonal demand, the overall market remained subdued. The impact of earlier supply disruptions from maintenance activities had diminished, leading to more stable supply levels.
In contrast, USA prices saw a modest increase of 0.56%, reaching USD 1247/MT, while Sweden experienced a stronger rise of 5.64%, reaching USD 1411/MT, driven by increased demand. Sweden’s growth was more robust, while the USA experienced slower growth despite the broader market challenges.
Butyric Acid prices are expected to rise to USD 1255/MT, reflecting a 0.47% increase, driven by a recovery in demand across key sectors like paints, adhesives, flavors, fragrances, and coatings, particularly as seasonal demand picks up during the summer months. Supply chain adjustments, including production disruptions or planned maintenance, may tighten supply, further pushing prices up.
In Q3 2024, the USA saw a slight price increase of 0.79%, reaching USD 1257/MT, reflecting steady growth despite global market volatility. Meanwhile, Sweden experienced a 4.50% decline, with prices falling to USD 1347/MT, due to weakening demand, highlighting contrasting market conditions in both countries.
Butyric Acid prices are projected to decline significantly, falling to USD 1093/MT, a 12.88% decrease, driven by reduced demand from key sectors like flavors, fragrances, paints, and adhesives. Economic uncertainty and lower industrial activity have led to a drop in consumption, compounded by increased competition from alternative chemicals and cheaper imports.
Despite steady production levels, market sentiment remains weak. In contrast, Q4 2024 saw USA prices surge by 9.01%, reaching USD 1371/MT due to higher demand and supply constraints. Meanwhile, Sweden experienced a slight decline of 0.47%, settling at USD 1341/MT, reflecting subdued performance amid global economic challenges, contrasting with the USA’s stronger growth.
Butyric Acid prices fell to USD 1148/MT, reflecting a decrease of 2.11% from the previous quarter. The drop in prices was largely due to weaker demand from key sectors such as food and beverages, as well as cosmetics. Buyers remained cautious, leading to lower purchasing activity. Increased inventory levels in the market, along with a stable but competitive supply environment, added further pressure on prices, preventing any substantial recovery.
According to the PriceWatch, the price of Butyric Acid imported to India from China decreased to 1,108 USD per metric ton in Q2 2025, a 3.48% drop from Q1 2025. This decline is mainly due to reduced downstream demand from sectors like animal feed and food additives, which experience seasonal slowdowns in Q2.
Feedstock prices, including butyric acid’s precursor, fluctuated slightly, contributing to a decrease in production costs. Additionally, demand from key Indian industries weakened, leading to a dip in the price index.
The price trend reflects China’s efforts to adjust prices to maintain competitiveness in the Indian market, despite weaker consumption. However, the import volume remained steady, with China continuing to supply India’s demand for Butyric Acid. Overall, the market conditions in India appeared subdued, in line with seasonal consumption patterns and reduced industrial activity during Q2.
In Q1 2024, Butyric Acid prices were slightly higher at USD 1329/MT, although they still faced a modest decrease of 1.93% from the previous quarter. Demand from end-use industries was relatively stable, but some hesitation among buyers and a slowdown in industrial activity dampened price growth. Additionally, the market had been adjusting to higher inventory levels, which weighed on price movements.
By Q2 2024 Butyric Acid prices showed a slight decrease, falling to USD 1311/MT, a 1.33% dip from Q1. This decline was driven by a seasonal reduction in demand from key industries, coupled with competitive pricing from international markets. Although some industries began restocking for the upcoming season, the overall market sentiment remained subdued.
Butyric Acid prices fell again to USD 1632 per metric ton, -1.62% on Q2. This was largely because of a tapering in agrochemical consumption following the end of the high application period. Export activity was also subdued with weakening global demand. While local production held at regular levels, the market grappled with larger inventory levels and weaker offtake. Consequently, prices remained under mild downward pressure during the quarter.
In Q4 2024, Butyric Acid prices experienced a sharp decline, dropping to USD 1173/MT, a significant 12.01% decrease. This was driven by a slowdown in demand as industries reduced production in response to weaker market conditions. Buyers adopted a more cautious approach, limiting new orders and focusing on existing inventory. Additionally, the market saw increased competition from cheaper imports, further pressuring prices downward.
Molecular Weight[g/mol]
CAS No
HS Code
Molecular Formula
Butyric Acid is a colourless carboxylic acid with a pungent odour, extensively used in animal feed, flavours, fragrances, and industrial applications. It is commonly synthesized from feedstocks like butyl acetate and butyl alcohol through chemical processes. Known for its role in promoting gut health in livestock, it also serves as a key intermediate in various manufacturing sectors.
Packaging Type
Butyric Acid Grades Covered
Incoterms Used
Synonym
PriceWatch Quotation Terms:
Ex-Location: This incoterm refers to a shipping agreement where the seller makes the goods available at their premises, and the buyer is responsible for all transportation costs, including shipping, insurance, and any other fees.
CIF: CIF refers to the Cost, Insurance, and Freight (CIF) terms for goods. Under CIF terms, the seller is responsible for the cost of goods, insurance, and freight charges until the goods reach the port of destination.
FD: FD stands for Free Delivered where the seller takes full responsibility for delivering goods to the location/port. This ensures the buyer receives the goods at the designated port with all necessary costs, except import duties, covered.
FOB: FOB refers to the Free On-Board shipping term, where the seller is responsible for the cost and risk of delivering the goods to the port. Once the goods are on board the vessel, the responsibility shifts to the buyer for all costs, including shipping and insurance.
Component | Unit | Value by weight |
Butyric Acid Content (wt.%) | % | 99.5 Min |
Color | Pt-Co | 15 Max |
Specific Gravity @ 20°C |  | 0.96 |
Form |  | Liquid |
Boiling Point | °C | 164 |
Freezing Point  | °C | -7.9  |
Flash Point (Tag Closed Cup) | °C | 71 |
Butyric Acid Applications
The chemical characteristics of Butyric Acid (BUTYRIC ACID) make it suitable for a wide variety of industrial uses. To properly dissolve or combine materials, it is frequently employed as a solvent in the manufacture of paints, coatings, adhesives, and inks. BUTYRIC ACID is also used as an addition in gasoline, raising the octane levels and boosting engine output. Additionally, it is an essential step in the synthesis of methyl tert-butyl ether (MTBE), a substance that is utilized in gasoline blends. To make methyl methacrylate, a necessary ingredient for making plastics, BUTYRIC ACID is used as an intermediary in the chemical industry. To formulate drugs and produce active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs), the pharmaceutical industry employs BUTYRIC ACID as a solvent. Moreover, BUTYRIC ACID produces isobutylene, a crucial precursor to synthetic rubber and plastics, and serves as a dehydration agent in industrial operations.
These events underscore the Butyric Acid market’s vulnerability to global disruptions and highlight the need for continuous monitoring of supply-demand dynamics.
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Molecular Weight[g/mol]
CAS No
HS Code
Molecular Formula
Butyric Acid is a colourless carboxylic acid with a pungent odour, extensively used in animal feed, flavours, fragrances, and industrial applications. It is commonly synthesized from feedstocks like butyl acetate and butyl alcohol through chemical processes. Known for its role in promoting gut health in livestock, it also serves as a key intermediate in various manufacturing sectors.
Packaging Type
Grades Covered
Incoterms Used
Synonym
PriceWatch Quotation Terms:
Ex-Location: This incoterm refers to a shipping agreement where the seller makes the goods available at their premises, and the buyer is responsible for all transportation costs, including shipping, insurance, and any other fees.
CIF: CIF refers to the Cost, Insurance, and Freight (CIF) terms for goods. Under CIF terms, the seller is responsible for the cost of goods, insurance, and freight charges until the goods reach the port of destination.
FD: FD stands for Free Delivered where the seller takes full responsibility for delivering goods to the location/port. This ensures the buyer receives the goods at the designated port with all necessary costs, except import duties, covered.
FOB: FOB refers to the Free On-Board shipping term, where the seller is responsible for the cost and risk of delivering the goods to the port. Once the goods are on board the vessel, the responsibility shifts to the buyer for all costs, including shipping and insurance.
Component | Unit | Value by weight |
Butyric Acid Content (wt.%) | % | 99.5 Min |
Color | Pt-Co | 15 Max |
Specific Gravity @ 20°C |  | 0.96 |
Form |  | Liquid |
Boiling Point | °C | 164 |
Freezing Point  | °C | -7.9  |
Flash Point (Tag Closed Cup) | °C | 71 |
Applications
The chemical characteristics of Butyric Acid (BUTYRIC ACID) make it suitable for a wide variety of industrial uses. To properly dissolve or combine materials, it is frequently employed as a solvent in the manufacture of paints, coatings, adhesives, and inks. BUTYRIC ACID is also used as an addition in gasoline, raising the octane levels and boosting engine output. Additionally, it is an essential step in the synthesis of methyl tert-butyl ether (MTBE), a substance that is utilized in gasoline blends. To make methyl methacrylate, a necessary ingredient for making plastics, BUTYRIC ACID is used as an intermediary in the chemical industry. To formulate drugs and produce active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs), the pharmaceutical industry employs BUTYRIC ACID as a solvent. Moreover, BUTYRIC ACID produces isobutylene, a crucial precursor to synthetic rubber and plastics, and serves as a dehydration agent in industrial operations.
The pricing of Butyric Acid is influenced by various factors, including the cost of raw materials used in its production, energy prices, and fluctuations in demand from end-use industries such as animal feed, flavors, paint, fragrances, and coatings. Seasonal trends, production outages, and transportation costs also play a significant role. Additionally, global economic conditions and geopolitical events can impact supply chain dynamics, further affecting prices.
Butyric Acid prices are highly sensitive to demand fluctuations in its primary end-use sectors, such as animal feed, flavors, paints, coatings. A surge in demand, especially during seasonal peaks, tends to drive up prices due to increased consumption. Conversely, lower demand during off-peak periods or economic slowdowns can lead to price decreases. Procurement heads should closely monitor industry trends to anticipate price changes.
Yes, regional price differences for Butyric Acid exist due to variations in production capacities, raw material availability, and transportation costs. For example, Asia, being a major manufacturing hub, often offers lower prices compared to regions like Europe or North America. Procurement teams can optimize sourcing strategies by exploring cost-competitive regions and establishing relationships with suppliers in areas where production costs are lower.