Rising U.S. demand for Korean cosmetics, fueled by retail expansion and social media, is accelerating. The category's lower price points compared with prestige skincare risk pulling down average spending in the cosmetics market as consumers shift toward more affordable options.
USDA data shows that semi-processed goods like vegetable oils made up 13% of U.S. agricultural imports in 2025, with vegetable oil imports rising to supply domestic biofuel demand. This growing demand from the biofuels sector could tighten vegetable oil supplies and support prices. Tariff policies and trade flows continue to influence import volumes.
| Product | Region | Incoterm Basis | Price | Last Updated Month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Glycerin | China | FOB | USD 1,437.40/MT | May 2026 |
| Glycerin | India | FOB | USD 1,504.74/MT | May 2026 |
| Glycerin | USA | FOB | USD 1,185.84/MT | May 2026 |
| Glycerin | Germany | FCA | USD 1,201.44/MT | May 2026 |
| Glycerin | Canada | FOB | USD 1,185.84/MT | May 2026 |
| Glycerin | China | FOB | USD 1,543.48/MT | April 2026 |
| Glycerin | India | FOB | USD 1,092.11/MT | April 2026 |
| Glycerin | USA | FOB | USD 924.38/MT | April 2026 |
| Glycerin | Germany | FCA | USD 1,118.72/MT | April 2026 |
| Glycerin | Canada | FOB | USD 924.38/MT | April 2026 |
Stay updated with the latest glycerin prices, historical data, and tailored regional analysis
Asia
In China, Glycerin prices were ~RMB 10.54/kg and ~RMB 9.73/kg, respectively, in the first two months of the second quarter of 2026, showing a ~7.7% decrease. The decline was mainly driven by slower industrial buying and weaker demand from glycerin-based chemical users. Buyers avoided large-volume restocking because downstream resin and epichlorohydrin demand did not provide strong support. At the same time, Southeast Asian biodiesel trends shaped regional supply expectations. Malaysia’s biodiesel production remained constrained by high crude palm oil costs and slow progress on nationwide B20 rollout, which limited extra crude glycerin availability from Malaysian biodiesel plants. Meanwhile, Indonesia added a forward supply signal as it considered raising biodiesel blending to 50% from 40%, which could increase palm-based biodiesel output and crude glycerin generation if implemented.
Europe
European glycerin stayed broadly balanced in Q2’26. Biodiesel and bioSAF production supported crude glycerin supply, but availability did not loosen sharply because FAME-linked output remained the main route for glycerin generation. Refined glycerin demand from personal care, pharma, food, and technical applications stayed stable, but industrial buyers remained cautious. Softer pull from chemical and resin-linked applications reduced restocking interest, keeping the market steady to slightly weak rather than strongly firm.
North America
North American glycerin remained tied to biodiesel operating rates and policy-backed biofuel demand. Biodiesel capacity supported crude glycerin generation, while renewable diesel growth did not add the same co-product supply. Policy support for biomass-based diesel helped prevent sharp supply tightness, and emerging fermentation and bio-based chemical uses added demand interest. However, traditional industrial demand was still measured, keeping price movement limited.
Analyst Insight
According to Procurement Resource, glycerin prices may remain soft if industrial buying stays weak. Malaysian biodiesel constraints may limit crude glycerin supply, while Indonesia’s higher blending plan could add future supply pressure.
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Asia
Glycerin price trend in the Asian markets reflected a mixed but increasingly supported pattern during Q1’26, shaped by the tug-of-war between structural oversupply and tightening trade conditions. Early in the quarter, Chinese refining overcapacity and aggressive export spillover weighed on regional sentiment, particularly in India, where traditional Southeast Asian sourcing came under pressure from cheaper inflows. At the same time, Indonesian supply remained influenced by weather-linked disruption and tighter crude glycerin availability, even as expanding refining capacity improved long-term domestic absorption. Market sentiment shifted more firmly upward toward the end of the quarter as the Israel-Iran conflict disrupted regional shipping, increased freight and insurance costs, and tightened chemical and pharma-linked supply chains in India, making replacement cargoes costlier and deliveries less predictable.
Europe
Glycerin prices in Europe remained stable to firm during Q1’26, with the market supported less by outright scarcity and more by replacement-cost pressure and supply chain uncertainty. Although broader availability remained manageable, Europe remained exposed to shifting Asian export flows, particularly as Chinese oversupply capped import competitiveness while logistics disruptions and war-led freight escalation lifted delivered cost sentiment. Refined glycerin continued to find support from pharmaceutical, food, and personal care applications, while buyers remained selective and quality-focused amid elevated transport costs and tighter procurement discipline.
North America
Glycerin prices in North America followed a stable-to-firm trend during Q1’26, supported by consistent downstream demand and a stronger replacement-cost environment. While no major regional production disruption was reflected in the references provided, the market remained indirectly affected by global freight volatility, tighter international trade flows, and biofuel-linked feedstock sentiment. Demand from pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, food, and personal care sectors remained steady, but procurement stayed measured as buyers navigated uncertain logistics, firm refined-grade sentiment, and broader chemical market cost inflation through the quarter.
Glycerin, also known as glycerol, is the simplest triol and is present in all-natural oils and fats as fatty esters. Glycerol is used in the manufacture of pharmaceuticals, personal care goods, tobacco, urethane foams, and food and cosmetic items. Glycerol derivatives include acetals, amines, esters, and ethers.
C3H8O3
Coatings and/or defoamers, Dyes, Finishing agents, Fuels and Fuel Additives, Agricultural Chemicals
Propanetriol, Osmoglyn, 1,2,3-trihydroxypropane, Polyglycerine, Grocolene, Glysanin, Glyrol
Wilmar International, Emery Oleochemicals, IOI Group, KLK Oleo, Croda International, Kao Corporation, Cargill Inc., Godrej Industries
CurrencyUS$ (Data can also be provided in local currency)
Supplier Database AvailabilityYes
Customization ScopeThe report can be customized as per the requirements of the customer
Post-Sale Analyst Support360-degree analyst support after report delivery
Note: Our supplier search experts can assist your procurement teams in compiling and validating a list of suppliers indicating they have products, services, and capabilities that meet your company's needs.
Propylene is chlorinated in this process, and it is oxidised with hypochlorite to dichlorohydrines, which react powerfully to produce epichlorohydrin. This epichlorohydrin is then hydrolyzed to yield glycerol or glycerin.
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This report shows the cost structure of glycerin production from the method called epichlorohydrin method.
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