US Glycine spot values softened through February as export availability from East and Southeast Asia remained ample and domestic purchasing stayed cautious. Early-month exporter activity capped offer levels, while buyers negotiated limited concessions as procurement remained requirement-based. Softer upstream ammonia costs improved production economics and created downward pressure on quotations, although rising container and ocean freight prevented deeper corrections by keeping landed costs elevated. Contract demand remained broadly stable, with weak agrochemical consumption—particularly from glyphosate formulators—limiting spot liftings, while pharmaceutical manufacturing, IV solution demand, and sports nutrition applications continued to provide steady support. As a result, Glycine (=98.5%) import quotations posted a modest month-on-month decline. By mid-March, however, market sentiment strengthened as carryover trading improved and suppliers adjusted offers upward. A key driver was the increase in upstream raw material costs in major exporting regions, while vessel transit disruptions around the Strait of Hormuz amid ongoing geopolitical tensions raised import logistics costs. Although no production outages were reported, elevated crude oil prices increased bunker fuel charges, freight rates, and war-risk insurance premiums, supporting firmer near-term quotations.
