The US oxalic acid market entered May 2026 with a firm undertone, as elevated freight costs, strong upstream costs, and tight import availability continued to influence procurement sentiment. Oxalic acid buyers remained focused on securing stable cargo flows after April’s bullish momentum tightened replacement economics across the market. Limited spot availability, lean inventories, and sustained import dependence reinforced the stronger tone for oxalic acid heading into May. Demand from electronics cleaning, semiconductor wafer processing, and pharmaceutical intermediates continued to support baseline oxalic acid consumption, while automotive-linked metal finishing demand remained comparatively moderate. Rising natural gas, ammonia, and nitric acid costs also continued supporting higher production economics, while elevated marine freight and inland trucking charges reinforced landed cost pressure. Market participants expect oxalic acid prices to remain firm in the near term as freight volatility, energy costs, and cautious inventory management continue shaping trade activity across the United States market.
