Los precios mundiales del ácido glutámico se disparan en medio de las limitaciones de suministro y las interrupciones del comercio
El mercado mundial del ácido glutámico, un aminoácido no esencial integral para diversas aplicaciones industriales, está experimentando un aumento significativo de los precios tanto en las regiones exportadoras como en las importadoras. El ácido glutámico se usa ampliamente en la industria alimentaria como potenciador del sabor, en productos farmacéuticos para la formulación de medicamentos, como precursor en la fabricación de productos químicos y en la agricultura como fertilizantes y alimentos para animales.
El aumento de los precios del ácido glutámico se atribuye a una confluencia de factores que reducen la oferta. Las fluctuaciones en los costos de las materias primas, particularmente el maíz utilizado en la producción de ácido glutámico, son un factor importante. Además, las interrupciones en las cadenas de suministro mundiales debido a la congestión portuaria y los cuellos de botella en el transporte han exacerbado el problema. Los cambios regulatorios también han contribuido a la presión sobre la disponibilidad de ácido glutámico. Este complejo escenario presenta una situación desafiante para las empresas que dependen del ácido glutámico, ya que deben sortear el aumento de precios mientras mantienen la rentabilidad y ofrecen productos asequibles y de alta calidad a los consumidores.
In May, the Chinese market experienced a substantial surge in Glutamic Acid prices, driven by interconnected factors. The appreciation of the Chinese yuan against the US dollar played a pivotal role, creating an attractive arbitrage window for Chinese Glutamic Acid exporters. However, geopolitical tensions led to a scarcity of cargoes, hampering trade flows. Increased inquiries of Glutamic Acid from both domestic and international markets further exerted upward pressure on prices. China’s official Manufacturing Purchasing Managers’ Index (PMI) for May 2024 contracted to 49.5, raising concerns about the country’s economic growth prospects.
In the importing regions, particularly the United States, the recent surge in Glutamic Acid prices can be attributed to price increases in major exporting nations like China and global supply chain disruptions leading to higher shipping costs. The U.S. market, heavily reliant on Chinese exports, has been directly impacted by these rising prices of Glutamic Acid. Supply chain bottlenecks, such as the drought affecting the Panama Canal and reduced vessel traffic, have constrained capacity and increased transportation costs. Soaring freight rates, container shortages, and longer lead times have created a challenging environment for importers.
Furthermore, the depreciation of the US dollar in May introduced an additional layer of complexity to the Glutamic Acid market dynamics. The U.S. manufacturing sector continued to contract in May 2024, with the Manufacturing PMI registering 48.7, marking the second consecutive month of contraction. However, the services sector expanded, providing some relief.
A significant development in May was the implementation of a General Rate Increase (GRI) by shipping carriers, resulting in a rise in shipping costs of approximately $500-$750 per Twenty-foot Equivalent Unit (TEU). This increase, driven by escalating fuel prices, robust shipping demand, and higher operational costs, particularly impacted imports from China. Businesses reliant on imports from Asia likely faced delays and required additional planning to navigate these challenges effectively.
