Methylamine prices moved higher in several major regions during the second quarter of 2026, with feedstock costs, tighter prompt availability, freight conditions and seasonal downstream restocking shaping market direction. China recorded one of the clearest quarter-on-quarter rebounds, while the U.S. market also strengthened and Europe remained firm on elevated production costs and stable industrial demand.

For international buyers, the key message is that methylamine procurement remains sensitive to changes in methanol and ammonia costs, producer inventories, shipping availability and demand from agrochemical, pharmaceutical and specialty-chemical applications. This market update summarizes the latest publicly reported Q2 2026 trends and translates them into practical procurement considerations.

Key Takeaways for Q2 2026

· China: the reported quarterly average rose to about USD 612.33/MT, up 7.30% quarter-on-quarter, as methanol and aqueous ammonia costs increased and prompt merchant availability tightened.

· United States: the reported quarterly average was about USD 911.67/MT on a CFR New York basis, up 5.76% quarter-on-quarter, with agrochemical restocking and freight volatility supporting the market.

· Europe: prices remained stable to firm as higher methanol, energy and operating costs were balanced by steady demand from pharmaceuticals, agrochemicals and specialty chemicals.

· Procurement outlook: near-term pricing is likely to remain highly dependent on feedstock direction, seasonal demand, export availability and logistics costs rather than on any single market driver.

Methylamine Price Snapshot: Q1 vs. Q2 2026

Source note: price figures above are third-party market assessments reported by ChemAnalyst for the quarter ending June 2026. They are not China Amines quotations and may vary by grade, concentration, packaging, incoterm, destination and contract terms.

China Methylamine Market: Q2 Rebound Led by Feedstocks and Tighter Prompt Supply

China moved from a softer Q1 environment into a firmer Q2 2026 market. ChemAnalyst reported that the average methylamine assessment increased from approximately USD 570.67/MT in Q1 to USD 612.33/MT in Q2, with the June level reported near USD 618/MT.

The move was primarily linked to higher methanol and aqueous ammonia costs, which raised production economics and reduced the room for aggressive seller discounting. At the same time, stronger spot enquiries drew down merchant inventories in some trading channels, making prompt availability less comfortable than earlier in the year.

For overseas buyers sourcing methylamine from China, this combination matters because export prices do not simply follow the domestic plant gate price. Ocean freight, tank or drum availability, dangerous-goods handling, inland transport, export scheduling and destination requirements can all materially affect the final landed cost.

North America: Prices Strengthened Despite More Balanced Supply

The U.S. market also strengthened in Q2 2026. The reported average rose to around USD 911.67/MT on a CFR New York basis, compared with about USD 862.00/MT in Q1. Seasonal agrochemical restocking supported spot demand, while periods of higher freight costs and tighter import offers added upward pressure.

However, the market was not uniformly tight. Softer anhydrous ammonia costs in some export regions improved producer cash costs, and steady import arrivals helped cap the upside. This created a market where prices could firm without developing into a broad shortage-driven spike.

Europe: Cost Pressure Keeps the Market Stable to Firm

European methylamine pricing remained supported by a different mix of factors. Higher methanol values, natural-gas and utility costs, and elevated operating expenses encouraged producers to maintain firmer offers. At the same time, regular procurement from pharmaceutical, agrochemical and specialty-chemical users kept demand comparatively stable.

Because regional supply was broadly balanced and no major disruption dominated the quarter, the European market showed more cost-driven firmness than shortage-driven volatility. For buyers, this means changes in energy and feedstock pricing may remain as important as downstream demand when evaluating future offers.

What Is Driving Methylamine Prices in 2026?

1. Methanol and Ammonia Feedstock Costs

Methylamine is commonly manufactured from methanol and ammonia through catalytic processes. As a result, movements in both feedstocks can quickly affect production economics. When methanol and ammonia costs rise together, producers have stronger incentives to increase offers; when they soften, price resistance from buyers usually increases.

2. Agrochemical and Pharmaceutical Demand

Downstream demand is not evenly distributed through the year. Agrochemical production and seasonal restocking can create periods of stronger spot procurement, while pharmaceutical and specialty-chemical demand is often steadier. A shift in one large downstream segment can therefore change prompt market availability even when overall plant operating rates remain stable.

3. Producer and Distributor Inventories

Inventory levels strongly influence short-term negotiation power. High inventories tend to encourage discounting and wider supplier competition. Lower merchant stocks, especially during a restocking cycle, can make prompt cargoes more expensive even if nominal production capacity has not changed.

4. Freight, Dangerous-Goods Logistics and Export Availability

Methylamine logistics can be more complex than for non-hazardous commodities. Packaging configuration, vessel acceptance, tank positioning, port handling and route availability can all influence the delivered price. For this reason, buyers comparing offers should evaluate the complete landed-cost structure rather than focusing only on the headline product price.

Methylamine and Monomethylamine: Product Identification

Methylamine, also known as monomethylamine, has the chemical formula CH3NH2 and CAS No. 74-89-5. NIOSH describes it as a colorless gas with a fish- or ammonia-like odor; it is a liquid below about 21°F (-6°C) and is shipped in suitable forms as a liquefied compressed gas or supplied in aqueous solution depending on commercial requirements.

In the amines industry, monomethylamine is sometimes abbreviated as MMA. Buyers should distinguish this usage from methyl methacrylate, another chemical commonly abbreviated MMA. Using the CAS number, concentration and packaging specification in enquiries helps avoid ambiguity.

Key Downstream Applications Supporting Methylamine Demand

· Agrochemicals and crop-protection intermediates

· Pharmaceutical intermediates and active-ingredient synthesis

· Surfactants and specialty chemical intermediates

· Rubber chemicals and selected resin or process applications

· Water-treatment and other industrial chemical derivatives

Procurement Outlook for the Second Half of 2026

The Q2 data suggest that methylamine buyers should expect continued sensitivity to feedstock and logistics changes during the second half of 2026. A sustained increase in methanol or ammonia could raise replacement costs, while softer downstream demand or higher producer inventories could offset part of that pressure.

For importers, the most practical approach is to monitor three variables together: domestic China pricing, international freight and the timing of downstream restocking. Locking in a product price without checking tank or vessel availability can create a misleading view of the real delivered cost.

Buyers with regular monthly requirements may also benefit from discussing shipment windows and packaging options in advance, particularly when supply is needed for regulated or hazardous-chemical logistics routes. Forward planning can reduce the risk of being forced into higher-cost prompt shipments.

China Amines: Supporting Global Methylamine Procurement

China Amines Co., Ltd. supplies aliphatic amines, amine derivatives and specialty chemicals to international customers across pharmaceutical, agrochemical, water-treatment, rubber-chemical and other industrial sectors. For methylamine enquiries, our team can discuss product specification, concentration, packaging, shipment planning and destination requirements based on the buyer’s application and market.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why did methylamine prices rise in China during Q2 2026?

The reported increase was mainly associated with higher methanol and aqueous ammonia feedstock costs, firmer spot enquiries and tighter prompt merchant inventories. Freight and export logistics also affected the economics of international offers.

What is the difference between methylamine and monomethylamine?

They refer to the same compound, CH3NH2, CAS No. 74-89-5. “Monomethylamine” is often used to distinguish it from dimethylamine and trimethylamine.

What information should a buyer provide when requesting a methylamine quote?

A complete enquiry should normally include the required concentration or grade, quantity, packaging preference, destination port or delivery location, intended shipment window and any document or compliance requirements. This allows the supplier to evaluate product, packaging and logistics together.

Data Sources and Editorial Note

Market trend source: ChemAnalyst – Methyl Amine Price Trend and Forecast (Q2 2026 regional market assessments). Chemical identification and basic physical data were cross-checked against the CDC/NIOSH Pocket Guide for Methylamine.

Editorial disclaimer: This article is an independently rewritten market commentary prepared for the China Amines website. Third-party prices are indicative market assessments, not firm offers from China Amines Co., Ltd. Actual prices depend on specification, concentration, packaging, quantity, incoterm, destination, freight and market conditions at the time of quotation.