Udeesha Tomar
AVP - Strategy and Solutions
Leading procurement research solutions across chemicals, materials, and food & beverages, with expertise in price forecasting and market analytics.
Oxalic Acid Price Trend Analysis 2026: Price Drivers, Supply Demand Analysis, Historical Prices, Latest News & Market Insights
Written ByUdeesha Tomar
Oxalic Acid Price Trend H1 2026
- Oxalic acid procurement costs followed a moderately firm trajectory through H1’26, supported by tighter Chinese availability during Q1 and rising freight, energy, and insurance costs during Q2, although demand remained measured across several downstream industries.
- Upstream, higher nitric-acid-linked production costs and tighter operating conditions in parts of China increased manufacturing expenses, while logistics disruptions and elevated freight costs raised landed costs for overseas buyers.
- Downstream, demand from metal finishing, rare-earth processing, pharmaceuticals, and industrial cleaning provided a stable consumption base, while semiconductor and specialty applications offered additional support in North America and Europe.
Asia
Asian oxalic acid procurement was strongly influenced by developments in China, the region's dominant production and export base. Chinese availability tightened during Q1 as winter-related production restrictions reduced operating rates, while firmer feedstock and export costs supported producer offers. The market remained relatively firm into Q2 as logistics disruptions and higher insurance expenses increased export costs. Rare-earth processing continued to provide an important structural demand base, as oxalic acid is used as a precipitation reagent during rare-earth separation. China also remained the principal supply source for international buyers, making domestic operating rates and export availability important determinants of regional procurement economics.
Europe
European oxalic acid procurement remained firm through H1 2026 amid limited regional inventories, higher energy costs, and dependence on imported material. Metal finishing, surface treatment, pharmaceuticals, and industrial cleaning applications sustained baseline consumption, while tighter availability of Asian cargoes increased import replacement costs. During Q2, higher freight and insurance expenses added further pressure to landed costs, particularly for import-dependent buyers.
North America
North American procurement conditions were influenced by steady industrial consumption and substantial dependence on imported oxalic acid. Metal finishing, pharmaceuticals, electronics-related applications, and industrial cleaning supported demand, while limited domestic production increased sensitivity to Asian export availability and freight movements. During H1, higher freight and origin costs contributed to firmer landed procurement economics, particularly as shipping disruptions reduced supply flexibility.
Analyst Insight
According to Procurement Resource, oxalic acid costs are expected to remain relatively firm in the near term, with freight, Chinese export availability, and production costs remaining key variables, while stable demand from rare-earth processing and specialty applications could provide further support.
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Asia
During the second half of 2025, oxalic acid prices in Asia followed a mixed but overall softer trajectory, largely influenced by fluctuations in corn, a key feedstock used in its fermentation-based production. In the third quarter, prices declined steadily as corn values weakened across the region, reducing input costs for producers and encouraging lower offer levels. This softer cost environment led downstream buyers in textiles, pharmaceuticals, and metal treatment to adopt cautious, need-based procurement strategies. In the fourth quarter, the market remained soft initially as corn prices continued to ease and inventories at major Chinese producers stayed comfortable. However, prices gradually recovered later in the period as export inquiries improved, spot availability tightened modestly, and demand from leather treatment and rust removal applications lent some support. Overall, the Asian market closed H2 in a more balanced but still range-bound position.
Europe
In Europe, oxalic acid prices during H2 2025 largely mirrored Asian trends. Q3 witnessed a decline as easing corn-linked production costs and softer global feedstock markets reduced pricing pressure. Demand from cleaning compounds, leather processing, textile dyeing, and pharmaceutical intermediates remained steady but not strong enough to prevent the downward correction. In Q4, prices softened further in the early phase due to lower Asian import offers before stabilizing and recovering moderately as distributor restocking improved and feedstock economics firmed.
North America
North American oxalic acid prices also reflected a similar pattern in H2 2025. Q3 pricing weakened under pressure from lower corn costs and balanced supply conditions, while demand from rare earth processing, automotive cleaning, and specialty chemicals remained stable. In Q4, competitive imports and comfortable inventories initially weighed on prices, but firmer replacement costs and selective replenishment helped the market recover modestly by year-end.
About Oxalic Acid
Oxalic acid is an alpha, omega-dicarboxylic acid with carboxyl groups at positions 1 and 2 substituting for ethane. It performs functions as an algal, a plant, and a human metabolite. It is an oxalate(1-) and oxalate conjugate acid.
Oxalic Acid Product Detail
HS Code
291711
Chemical Formula
C2H2O4
CAS Number
144-62-7
Molecular Weight
90.03 g/mol
Industrial Uses
Used to remove ink stains from laundry, Dilution of chemicals, Sterilizing agent
Synonyms
Aktisal, Aquisal
Supplier Database
Mudanjiang Fengda Chemical Co., Ltd., Oxaquim, Merck KGaA, UBE Industries Ltd., Clariant International Limited
Regional Coverage
Asia Pacific
China, India, Indonesia, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Japan, Philippines, Vietnam, Iran, Thailand, South Korea, Iraq, Saudi Arabia, Malaysia, Nepal, Taiwan, Sri Lanka, UAE, Israel, Hongkong, Singapore, Oman, Kuwait, Qatar, Australia, and New Zealand
Europe
Germany, France, United Kingdom, Italy,Spain, Russia, Turkey, Netherlands, Poland, Sweden, Belgium, Austria, Ireland Switzerland, Norway, Denmark, Romania, Finland, Czech Republic, Portugal and Greece
North America
United States and Canada
Latin America
Brazil, Mexico, Argentina, Columbia, Chile, Ecuador, and Peru
Africa
South Africa, Nigeria, Egypt, Algeria, Morocco
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.
Oxalic Acid Production Processes
- Production of Oxalic Acid from Sugar
In this process, oxalic acid is produced by the reaction of nitric acid with glucose/ sugar. In the presence of a catalyst, oxidation reaction takes place in order to produce oxalic acid.
Frequently Asked Questions
The oxalic acid current outlook points to a broadly range bound market, with prices closely linked to corn cost movements and downstream industrial demand. Softer corn costs encourage need-based procurement across textiles, pharmaceuticals, and metal treatment segments. A modest Asian recovery, supported by improved export inquiries and tighter spot availability, suggests the market can find support when supply tightens. However, comfortable inventories at major Chinese producers and competitive import availability in North America will cap stronger upside.
Corn price movements are the dominant driver, as corn is the key fermentation feedstock for oxalic acid production. When corn weakens, reduced input costs allow producers to lower offers, pushing prices down across Asia, Europe, and North America, while comfortable inventories at major Chinese producers reinforce the softer tone. When corn costs firm, export inquiries improve, and spot availability tightens, prices recover.
The oxalic acid market is concentrated among Oxaquim S.A., UBE Corporation, and STAROXOCHEM Pvt Ltd., alongside Chinese producer Mudanjiang Fengda Chemical Co., Ltd. China dominates as the producing and exporting hub, supported by India, Japan, Indonesia, South Korea, and Thailand as active Asia Pacific centers. Europe, led by Germany, France, and the UK, is largely a consuming region, with Italy and Spain contributing specialty output.
Oxalic acid is produced via the oxidation of sugar or glucose using concentrated nitric acid in the presence of a catalyst. Glucose is sourced from corn and wheat, while nitric acid is derived from ammonia and natural gas. Fluctuations in crop prices, ammonia costs, and energy expenses directly affect production economics. The finished product serves pharmaceutical manufacturers (antibiotics, anticancer and HIV therapies), the textile industry (bleaching and fabric brightening), metal treatment (rust and scale removal), water treatment, food and beverage (soft drink additive), and household and industrial cleaning applications.
Pharmaceuticals, textiles, automotive cleaning, leather treatment, rare earth processing, and specialty chemicals are the primary demand drivers for oxalic acid. Pharmaceutical and textile consumption remains steady, while leather treatment and rust removal applications provide incremental support. Automotive cleaning and specialty chemicals demand stays stable in North America. Together, these sectors underpin procurement across key regions, though comfortable producer inventories and easing corn-linked input costs can keep pricing soft before modest recoveries.
Procurement Resource assesses oxalic acid prices through a structured, data-driven methodology combining primary engagement with producers, suppliers and traders, secondary market data, monitoring of feedstock and input costs, trade-flow and inventory tracking, and exchange or spot benchmarks. These inputs are validated and translated into a transparent price assessment and outlook. The detailed methodology is available on the Procurement Resource website.
Our Price Analysis Methodology
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