Fumaric Acid Market Intelligence Report (May 27, 2026)

I. Price Trends
1. Benchmark Price Fluctuations
- On May 25, the Echemnet benchmark price for fumaric acid stood at RMB 7,090.00/ton, representing a 2.16% increase from the beginning-of-month price of RMB 6,940.00/ton and positioning it within the upper range of the past 12 months (historical low: RMB 5,550/ton; historical high: RMB 7,700/ton).
- The benchmark price peaked at RMB 7,250/ton on May 20—the highest intra-month level—but subsequently declined to RMB 7,090/ton due to demand-side adjustments.

2. Regional Price Differentials and Grade-Specific Pricing
- Food-Grade: Quoted at RMB 6,200–6,500/ton in Shandong Province (purity ≥99.5%); select suppliers in Jiangsu Province quoted as high as RMB 9,500/ton, reflecting significant regional premium.
- Feed-Grade: Mainstream quotations in Shandong ranged from RMB 6,500–7,500/ton (purity ≥99%), with some low-cost supplies available at RMB 5,000/ton in Zibo City.
- Industrial-Grade: High-purity products (≥99.9%) were priced predominantly at RMB 8,000/ton; prices in Jiangsu and Zhejiang provinces were slightly lower due to supply chain advantages.

II. Market Drivers
1. Supply-Side Factors
- Capacity Structure Optimization: The share of domestic industrial-grade fumaric acid producers achieving ≥99.5% purity has risen to 78%. Leading enterprises—including Jiangxi Gaoxin and Zhejiang Lingkui—have adopted the \"one-pot catalytic hydrolysis technology,\" reducing energy consumption by 12% and enhancing purity stability.
- Raw Material Volatility: Upstream aspartic acid prices increased by 3–5% month-on-month under pressure from international chemical markets; some small- and medium-sized manufacturers suspended quotations due to raw material cost pressures.

2. Demand-Side Dynamics
- Downstream Industry Divergence:
- Unsaturated Polyester Resins: Account for 35% of total demand; order volume in the East China region declined 8% month-on-month due to seasonal slowdown in summer infrastructure projects.
- Food Additives: Represent 20% of demand; procurement volume in South China rose 15% year-on-year, driven by peak-season beverage demand.
- Feed Additives: Constitute 10% of demand; weakened purchasing intent among small- and medium-scale hog farmers amid persistently low pork prices.
- Surge in Expedited Orders: The industry-wide expedited order rate reached 35% in 2026; traditional manufacturers’ “l(fā)ow-inventory, long-lead-time” model fails to meet demand, resulting in supply chain responsiveness delays and annual production stoppage losses exceeding RMB 230 million.

3. Policy & Environmental Regulations
- Implementation of the 2025 revised “National Standard for Use of Food Additives” tightened heavy metal residue limits to 30%, downward pricing pressure could transmit upstream to the raw material market.