Methyl Formate prices were stable in the week ended June 20, 2025, in the markets such as Asian, North American and European pricing was steady due reasonably balanced supply and demand kept Methyl Formate prices flat.
In India, prices of Methyl Formate were held firm despite a marginal increase of 2.2% in feedstock methanol prices, during the same period of time amidst geopolitical tensions prevailing between Iran and Isreal. The Israeli military drone strike on Iran's South Pars gas field has added fuel to this. However, the domestic producers were able to offset the feedstock cost impact on Methyl Formate pricing with early purchases from Chinese suppliers and a healthy methanol inventory. However, weak demand from automotive, construction, and electronics limits any price increase.
Similarly, in the Korean market feedstock methanol prices in South Korea increased. However, a large domestic stock helped mitigate price pressure for Methyl Formate. Developments included an 8.3% year-on-year increase in early June exports to the U.S., supporting Methyl Formate demand from the automotive and electronics sectors.
Likewise, the price of Chinese Methyl Formate remained steady despite the cost of feedstock methanol increasing 3.7%. However, the rising costs were offset by adequate inventories of feedstock and consistent local demand. While exports to the US have declined due to ongoing trade tensions, increased export volumes to emerging markets, including India, were positive for external demand and shifted the market toward balanced conditions.
Alongside, the prices remained stable in Malaysia, driven by good import flows and solid demand in construction, automotive, and electronics. Various government initiatives like the 13th Malaysia Plan and support programs for semiconductors under NSS and NIMP2030 also helped give confidence in downstream consumption.
In Indonesia the Methyl Formate prices were also held firm, supported by robust regional imports and firm downstream demand. Continued infrastructure investment, the launch of GAC Group’s smart vehicle plant, and firm demand in electronics manufacturing kept market fundamentals in balance.
Further, the U.S. market's Methyl Formate prices were also stable, with imports, particularly from South Korea, offsetting any global disruption. However, demand was weak due to high mortgage rates crimping the construction sector, EV sales slowed down, and electronics manufacturing remained lackluster—all of which prevented prices from rising.
Furthermore, in Belgium, Methyl Formate prices remained flat despite port congestion and high yard utilization in Antwerp. Supply was moderate from Germany, China, and the USA, while demand remained sluggish due to weak construction activity and margin pressure in automotive.
Overall, despite rising upstream costs and regional geopolitical tensions, robust inventories, import strategies, and diversified demand bases helped maintain Methyl Formate price stability globally.
