Oleic Acid Prices in the USA Reach USD 1,307/MT, Reflecting Steady Domestic Demand

Oleic acid, classified as a monounsaturated omega-9 fatty acid, serves critical functions across multiple sectors worldwide. Extracted predominantly from plant-based sources including olive, sunflower, and palm oils, this compound demonstrates remarkable utility in food and beverage manufacturing, pharmaceutical formulations, cosmetic applications, personal care products, and diverse industrial processes. Its multifunctional characteristics enable it to function as a stabilization agent, emulsification component, lubrication material, and surface-active substance, establishing its position as a fundamental ingredient across numerous product categories. As a result, oleic acid demonstrates increasing adoption in industrial applications such as lubrication systems, metalworking solutions, and biofuel production due to its biodegradable nature and environmentally conscious properties.

Global Market Overview:

Globally, the oleic acid industry reached a value of USD 340.5 Million in 2025. Market projections indicate expansion, with the industry expected to reach USD 464.8 Million by 2034, representing a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 3.52% from 2026-2034. The market continues to be fundamentally supported by escalating consumption across personal care manufacturing, food processing operations, lubricant production, and chemical synthesis activities, alongside growing utilization in surfactant applications and plasticizer formulations. The expansion trajectory reflects sustained industrial adoption driven by the compound's versatile properties and increasing recognition of its functional benefits across diverse end-use applications. Market dynamics remain influenced by raw material availability, technological advancements in processing methodologies, and evolving regulatory frameworks governing oleochemical utilization in various product categories.

Oleic Acid Price Trend Q3 2025:

Regional prices (USD per MT) and QoQ changes vs Q2 2025:

To access real-time prices Request Sample

What Moved Prices:

• USA: Valuations settled at USD 1307/MT in September, reflecting a downward adjustment influenced by tempered procurement activity among downstream consumers. Manufacturing entities calibrated their acquisition strategies in response to underwhelming consumption patterns across the food additive and surfactant manufacturing segments. Feedstock supply conditions maintained stability, though diminished export inquiry volumes exerted downward influence on domestic supplier quotations. Reduced freight expenditures contributed to softened overall production costs, while substantial inventory positions diminished buyers' imperative to establish extended contractual commitments.
• Indonesia: Market valuations reached USD 1150/MT in September. A surplus in available material kept prices from gaining upward traction, even though palm oil feedstock supplies remained steady. Reduced demand from international buyers eroded export margins, prompting vendors to adopt more adaptable cost structures. Amid these conditions, domestic production operations were pressured by declining global demand for palm-derived oleochemical products, causing the market to trend downward.
• Netherlands: Prices settled at USD 1273/MT in September throughout the third quarter of 2025. Price dynamics were weighed down by softer offtake from the lubricant, resin, and coatings industries, which consistently dampened market sentiment. Even with manufacturing output holding steady, plentiful inventories at European terminals prevented any meaningful rebound in prices. At the same time, restrained buying behavior across international markets curtailed export volumes.
• South Korea: Valuations progressed downward to USD 1269/MT in September during the third quarter of 2025 amid weaker demand faced by local producers from chemical, cosmetics, and plasticizer end-use sectors. Stockpiles stayed high, encouraging manufacturers to maintain cautious price positions in order to keep product moving. At the same time, export activity slowed as buyers in regional markets turned toward lower-cost supply options.
• Canada: The price decline to USD 1321/MT in September during the third quarter of 2025 reflected subdued activity within the domestic industrial, lubricant, and food processing sectors. Elevated stock levels among distributors constrained any upward market movement. Import competition intensified as global suppliers sought to clear excess inventories, pressuring local producers to reduce offers.

Drivers Influencing the Market:

Several factors continue to shape oleic acid pricing and market behavior:

• Downstream Demand Fluctuations

Consumption patterns across food additives, surfactants, personal care, and industrial applications directly influence pricing dynamics. When downstream sectors moderate procurement due to weaker end-market consumption, suppliers face pressure to adjust valuations. The third quarter witnessed subdued purchasing across multiple application segments, contributing significantly to the downward price trajectory across all monitored regions.

• Feedstock Availability and Raw Material Costs

Oleic acid production relies heavily on vegetable oil feedstocks, particularly palm oil, olive oil, and sunflower oil. Consistent feedstock supply maintained stability during the quarter, yet this abundance prevented upward price movements. Regional variations in agricultural output, seasonal harvesting cycles, and processing capacity utilization influence raw material costs, which ultimately cascade through the oleic acid value chain. Steady supply conditions combined with moderate demand resulted in neutral to negative pricing pressure.

• Export-Import Dynamics and Global Trade Flows

International trade patterns significantly impact regional pricing structures. Reduced export inquiries from international buyers limited pricing power for domestic suppliers, particularly in major producing regions like Indonesia and Southeast Asia. Import competition intensified as global suppliers sought to clear excess inventories, creating downward pressure on local markets. Transportation cost reductions further facilitated competitive pricing from international sources, influencing domestic market dynamics across North America and Europe.

• Inventory Levels and Supply Chain Management

Elevated inventory positions among distributors and end-users reduced the urgency for immediate procurement, weakening spot market activity. Abundant stock availability across major distribution hubs limited price recovery potential despite stable production operations. Suppliers adjusted strategies to maintain dispatch volumes, often prioritizing market share retention over price preservation. This inventory overhang condition persisted throughout the quarter, contributing to the sustained downward pricing trend across multiple geographies.

Recent Highlights & Strategic Developments:

Recent strategic moves within the industry further illustrate evolving dynamics:

• In May 2025, a research team introduced a reliable fabrication technique for producing cobalt ferrite nanoparticles with complex, multi-armed octapod structures, enabling finer tuning of both structural anisotropy and magnetic behavior. The researchers identified oleic acid as the key regulating agent, noting its influence on particle stability and morphological evolution via controlled thermal breakdown and selective surface interactions. Through this process, particles were shown to transition from simple spherical or cubic shapes into robust octapod configurations. The work emphasizes the growing significance of this material system in cutting-edge nanoscience and advanced material design.

Outlook & Strategic Takeaways:

Looking ahead, the oleic acid market is expected to maintain its gradual growth trajectory, supported by sustained demand from personal care, food processing, and industrial applications. However, near-term pricing may remain under pressure as the industry works through elevated inventory levels and cautious procurement patterns persist among downstream consumers.

To navigate this complex landscape, stakeholders should:

• Monitor Regional Price Differentials: Track pricing variations across major markets to identify arbitrage opportunities and optimize procurement strategies. Regional supply-demand imbalances create windows for strategic sourcing decisions. Establishing relationships with suppliers in multiple geographies enables flexible purchasing based on prevailing market conditions and transportation cost considerations.
• Evaluate Feedstock Market Dynamics: Closely analyze developments in palm oil, sunflower oil, and other vegetable oil markets that serve as primary feedstocks for oleic acid production. Understanding upstream supply conditions, agricultural yield forecasts, and processing capacity expansions provides early indicators of future pricing trends. This forward-looking approach enables proactive adjustment of procurement volumes and contract negotiations.
• Assess Downstream Sector Trends: Maintain awareness of consumption patterns across key application segments including personal care, food additives, surfactants, and industrial lubricants. Shifts in end-market demand directly influence oleic acid requirements and pricing. Understanding these dynamics enables better demand forecasting and inventory planning, reducing exposure to sudden market adjustments and optimizing working capital allocation.
• Diversify Supply Sources: Develop relationships with suppliers across multiple regions to mitigate concentration risk and enhance supply chain resilience. Geographic diversification provides protection against localized supply disruptions, regulatory changes, or unfavorable pricing developments in specific markets. This approach also facilitates competitive bidding processes that can yield more favorable commercial terms and pricing structures.
• Optimize Inventory Management: Balance inventory positions carefully to capitalize on favorable pricing while avoiding excessive stock accumulation. In the current environment of elevated global inventories, maintaining lean inventory levels may prove advantageous. However, be prepared to increase stock positions opportunistically if pricing reaches particularly attractive levels or supply conditions show signs of tightening.
• Leverage Market Intelligence: Invest in comprehensive market intelligence capabilities to track pricing trends, production capacity developments, trade flow patterns, and regulatory changes across key markets. Regular monitoring of these variables enables more informed decision-making regarding procurement timing, contract structures, and strategic positioning. Access to reliable, timely market data provides a competitive advantage in negotiating favorable commercial terms.

Subscription Plans & Customization:

IMARC offers flexible subscription models to suit varying needs:

• Monthly Updates — 12 deliverables/year
• Quarterly Updates — 4 deliverables/year
• Biannual Updates — 2 deliverables/year

Each includes detailed datasets (Excel + PDF) and post-report analyst support.