What is Isobutyric Acid Market Analysis: Price Trend, Trade Data and Ester and Feed Demand
Analysts Sentiment
Bullish
Neutral
Bearish
What's driving sentiment this week:
Latest published month (2026-07) — Sentiment: Neutral
The most recent published customs observation for HS 291560 is 2026-07 at USD 1,958.81/ton, -15.2% against the previous month and -2.6% against 2025-08.
Reported volume across the fixed 9-economy panel was 97,632 tonnes over the window, 8,136 tonnes a month on average, and the three-month trend is +0.4%.
Next 1–3 Months — Outlook
This page is refreshed from public customs statistics rather than paid price assessments, so the next revision will roll in each newly published month for HS 291560. Direction shown here is a reading of published customs unit values, not a forecast.
Key Market Impact
Customs unit values for this heading are the single most checkable price signal available without a subscription: they combine the product mix actually crossing borders, the average contract level behind those shipments and freight-relevant volume. Treat them as the trade-weighted baseline for the heading, and read the coverage note above before applying them to a single grade.
How About the Price?
Data source: UN Comtrade public trade statistics (https://comtradeapi.un.org/public/v1/preview/C/M/HS?reporterCode=156,842,699,410,276,528,356,360,764,458,724,40,56,251,380,616,826,124,76,484,792,682,784,704,490,702,643,36,710,818,364,203,348,300,620,372,208,246,752,578,320,508&period=202607&cmdCode=291560&partnerCode=0&flowCode=X&includeDesc=true) | Last updated: 2026-11-01
Price Trajectory, latest 12 months (2025-08 to 2026-07)
The monthly customs export unit value for HS 291560 moved from USD 2,010.46/ton in 2025-08 to USD 1,958.81/ton in 2026-07 (-2.6% across the window). The window high was USD 2,494.49/ton in 2025-12 and the low USD 1,804.64/ton in 2025-10. Three-month averages put the latest quarter +0.4% against the previous one, which is classified here as neutral.
The same panel reported USD 211.5 million of export value on 97,632 tonnes over the twelve months, an average of 8,136 tonnes a month. Values are customs returns for the stated HS heading, so they capture the traded mix of that heading rather than a single quoted grade.
The EU side of the same heading is one month fresher than the panel above: Eurostat Comext records EU27 imports of HS 291560 from outside the EU at USD 2,469.76/ton in 2026-08 (EUR 2,130.37/ton at the ECB monthly reference rate), -8.1% against 2026-07, on 3,568 tonnes; the twelve months to 2026-08 totalled 32,741 tonnes. On the 11 months the two datasets share (2025-09 to 2026-07), three-month blocks that far apart moved +11.6% on the export panel and +3.9% on the EU import side, so the two agree on direction. At this volume the monthly unit value still moves with the mix of consignments, so read it as a cross-check rather than as a second price series. Import values are recorded on a CIF-type basis by a single bloc, so the level is not comparable with the export panel — the comparison above is directional.
2026-08 is deliberately not in the series: of the 9 economies that make up this page's fixed panel, 6 had filed both value and net weight for this heading when the page was rebuilt on 2026-11-01, while the heading drew 15 filers in total that month; 2026-09 drew 0 filings for this heading, 0 of them from panel members, and 2026-10 drew 0 (0 from the panel). Splicing a partly-filed month onto a fixed panel would move the unit value through composition alone, so the window stays at 2026-07 until the whole panel for 2026-08 has reported.
HS 291560 covers butanoic acids and pentanoic acids together with their salts and esters, so isobutyric acid shares the heading with n-butyric acid, the valeric acids and the esters of all of them; the unit value is an acid-and-ester composite and the acid alone cannot be isolated from published customs data.
Supply-side factors
- Fixed reporting panel of 9 economies: BRA (76), CAN (124), DNK (208), HUN (348), MYS (458), MEX (484), NLD (528), SWE (752), USA (842). The panel is held constant in every month of the window so month-to-month movement is not a composition effect.
- Monthly unit value range over the window: USD 1,804.64 to USD 2,494.49/ton.
- Latest month, 2026-07: USD 1,958.81/ton, -15.2% against the previous month, on 9,969 tonnes.
Demand-side factors
- Isobutyric acid demand is small and specialised: esters for solvents, flavours and fragrances, pharmaceutical intermediates including ibuprofen, feed preservatives and agrochemical synthesis, so volumes follow a handful of downstream plants rather than a broad industrial cycle.
- Related market pages on this site: Isobutyraldehyde (the oxidation feedstock), Methyl Methacrylate (the methacrylic acid route that can absorb the acid), n-Octanoic Acid (the other saturated monocarboxylic acid page).
Basis: these are customs unit values for the stated HS heading, not quoted spot, contract or assessed prices, and no paid price assessment is used or redistributed on this page. Every figure can be re-checked at the API links listed at the end of this page.
Need the supplier landscape, contract structure or a delivered-cost build-up behind this heading? Request a sample report or a custom cut.
Substitutes & Alternatives
| Substitute / Alternative | Replacement Scenario / How It Substitutes |
|---|---|
| n-Butyric Acid | In flavor and fragrance ester synthesis, n-butyric acid esters (e.g., ethyl butyrate, isoamyl butyrate) can replace isobutyric acid esters when a straight-chain butanoic note is acceptable. The substitution requires reformulation of the ester since the branched vs. linear structure gives different odor profiles; not a drop-in replacement but widely used as a functional analog in food flavoring applications. |
| Propionic Acid | In antimicrobial and preservative applications (grain preservation, silage treatment), propionic acid can substitute for isobutyric acid where a shorter-chain acid is sufficient. It is a drop-in replacement in many feed preservation blends, though it is more volatile and has a slightly different efficacy profile against molds and bacteria. |
| Methacrylic Acid | In the production of methacrylate monomers, methacrylic acid is the direct end-product that isobutyric acid is sometimes used to produce (via dehydrogenation). When methacrylic acid is available at competitive cost, producers can bypass the isobutyric acid intermediate entirely and purchase methacrylic acid directly for downstream esterification to methyl methacrylate (MMA) or other acrylates. |
| Isobutyric Anhydride | In acylation reactions and pharmaceutical synthesis where isobutyric acid is used as an acylating agent, isobutyric anhydride can substitute as a more reactive acylating reagent. It is not a drop-in replacement but is preferred in reactions requiring higher reactivity or anhydrous conditions; it is itself derived from isobutyric acid. |
| 2-Ethylhexanoic Acid | In lubricant additive and metalworking fluid formulations, 2-ethylhexanoic acid (a branched C8 acid) can substitute for isobutyric acid as a corrosion inhibitor or metal-complexing agent when higher molecular weight and lower volatility are desirable. Requires reformulation to adjust dosage and compatibility. |
| Pivalic Acid (2,2-Dimethylpropanoic Acid) | In specialty ester synthesis and as a pharmaceutical intermediate, pivalic acid (a branched C5 acid) can substitute for isobutyric acid when greater steric bulk and hydrolytic stability of the resulting ester are required. Used as a partial substitute in prodrug design (pivaloyl ester prodrugs) and in certain coating resin applications. |
| Acetic Acid / Acetic Anhydride | In some flavor ester and pharmaceutical acylation applications where the specific branched-chain character of isobutyric acid is not critical, acetic acid or acetic anhydride can serve as lower-cost acylating agents. This substitution is limited to applications where the shorter chain length and different sensory or physicochemical properties are acceptable. |
Related PetroApex Market Pages
Regulatory Status
| Region | Regulation / Policy Name | Issuing Authority | Year (enacted or latest revision) | Key Requirement / Threshold | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| EU | REACH (Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation and Restriction of Chemicals) | ECHA | Registered (pre-registration 2009; registration ongoing) | Chemical safety assessment per Article 14(1) for quantities of 10 tonnes or more per year per registrant; dossier evaluation and compliance checks; Annex XVII restrictions not applicable (no entry for this substance) | ECHA Substance Infocard (https://echa.europa.eu/substance-information/-/substanceinfo/100.001.087); SDS referencing Regulation (EC) No. 1907/2006 as amended by 2020/878/EU |
| USA | TSCA Inventory (Toxic Substances Control Act) | EPA | 1976 (listed; active status confirmed) | Listed on TSCA Inventory as active substance (40 CFR Part 710); no additional risk evaluation or controls identified for this substance | EPA TSCA Inventory confirmation; SDS referencing TSCA Section 8(e) and 40 CFR Part 710 |
| USA | 21 CFR 172.515 (Synthetic flavoring substances and adjuvants) | FDA | Listed (GRAS; no specific amendment) | Used in minimum quantity required to produce intended effect; GRAS for food additive use with no numerical threshold or restriction specified | 21 CFR 172.515 (as of 6/04/2026); FDA EAFUS database (substance ID ISOBUTYRICACID) |
| EU | Regulation (EC) No 1333/2008 on food additives | European Commission / EFSA | 2008 (no amendment for this substance) | Authorised as food additive/flavouring under Regulation (EC) No 1333/2008; specific purity criteria in Regulation (EU) No 231/2012 | EFSA re-evaluation context for related esters; FDA/EFSA cross-reference in flavour databases |
| International | UN Model Regulations for Transport of Dangerous Goods (ADR, IMDG, ICAO) | UN / IMO / ICAO (national adoption) | UN number assigned (no revision) | UN 2529 (ISOBUTYRIC ACID); hazard class 3 (flammable liquid); packing group III; class 3+8 (corrosive) | SDS (Carl Roth, Fisher Scientific, etc.); ADR/RID/IMDG references |
| China | New Chemical Substance Notification / MEE environmental management | MEE | Order 12 (2020); ongoing environmental compliance | Notification required for manufacture/import/use; no specific emission/effluent thresholds or prohibition identified for this substance | MEE Order 12; no entry in MEE priority pollutant lists (2023/2025 editions) |
| Global Trade | No specific trade measures | WTO / customs | No enacted or revision | No anti-dumping duties, tariff adjustments, or export controls identified | WTO Anti-Dumping database; no matching investigations |
Key Influence Events
Isobutyric acid (2-methylpropanoic acid, CAS 79-31-2) is a short-chain branched saturated carboxylic acid with the molecular formula C4H8O2 and a molecular weight of 88.11 g/mol. It is a colorless, oily liquid with a pungent, rancid odor, miscible with water, ethanol, and ether. It occurs naturally in small amounts in certain plant materials and fermentation products. Industrially, it is produced primarily by the liquid-phase oxidation of isobutyraldehyde (derived from the oxo synthesis of propylene) or by the Reppe-based carbonylation route. It is used as an intermediate in the manufacture of esters for flavors and fragrances, as a feedstock for isobutyric anhydride, in the production of methacrylate monomers via dehydrogenation, as a pharmaceutical intermediate, and as a component in specialty coatings and lubricant additives.
Top Countries Production Capacity
Production Process of Isobutyric Acid Market Analysis: Price Trend, Trade Data and Ester and Feed Demand
Isobutyric acid (2-methylpropanoic acid, CAS 79-31-2) is a short-chain branched saturated carboxylic acid with the molecular formula C4H8O2 and a molecular weight of 88.11 g/mol. It is a colorless, oily liquid with a pungent, rancid odor, miscible with water, ethanol, and ether. It occurs naturally in small amounts in certain plant materials and fermentation products. Industrially, it is produced primarily by the liquid-phase oxidation of isobutyraldehyde (derived from the oxo synthesis of propylene) or by the Reppe-based carbonylation route. It is used as an intermediate in the manufacture of esters for flavors and fragrances, as a feedstock for isobutyric anhydride, in the production of methacrylate monomers via dehydrogenation, as a pharmaceutical intermediate, and as a component in specialty coatings and lubricant additives.
Specs & Grades
| Property | Typical Value / Range | Unit | Grade / Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Appearance | Clear, colorless liquid | — | All grades |
Data Sources
Price and volume figures are derived from the directly verified public sources below. The customs unit values are USD/ton and are not subscription price assessments. Grade-level specifications are not restated here: confirm them with the supplier. Every monthly endpoint used for the series on this page is listed below, together with the EU cross-check, the exchange rate used to express it in dollars and the HS classification reference.
- https://comtradeapi.un.org/public/v1/preview/C/M/HS?reporterCode=156,842,699,410,276,528,356,360,764,458,724,40,56,251,380,616,826,124,76,484,792,682,784,704,490,702,643,36,710,818,364,203,348,300,620,372,208,246,752,578,320,508&period=202508&cmdCode=291560&partnerCode=0&flowCode=X&includeDesc=true
- https://comtradeapi.un.org/public/v1/preview/C/M/HS?reporterCode=156,842,699,410,276,528,356,360,764,458,724,40,56,251,380,616,826,124,76,484,792,682,784,704,490,702,643,36,710,818,364,203,348,300,620,372,208,246,752,578,320,508&period=202509&cmdCode=291560&partnerCode=0&flowCode=X&includeDesc=true
- https://comtradeapi.un.org/public/v1/preview/C/M/HS?reporterCode=156,842,699,410,276,528,356,360,764,458,724,40,56,251,380,616,826,124,76,484,792,682,784,704,490,702,643,36,710,818,364,203,348,300,620,372,208,246,752,578,320,508&period=202510&cmdCode=291560&partnerCode=0&flowCode=X&includeDesc=true
- https://comtradeapi.un.org/public/v1/preview/C/M/HS?reporterCode=156,842,699,410,276,528,356,360,764,458,724,40,56,251,380,616,826,124,76,484,792,682,784,704,490,702,643,36,710,818,364,203,348,300,620,372,208,246,752,578,320,508&period=202511&cmdCode=291560&partnerCode=0&flowCode=X&includeDesc=true
- https://comtradeapi.un.org/public/v1/preview/C/M/HS?reporterCode=156,842,699,410,276,528,356,360,764,458,724,40,56,251,380,616,826,124,76,484,792,682,784,704,490,702,643,36,710,818,364,203,348,300,620,372,208,246,752,578,320,508&period=202512&cmdCode=291560&partnerCode=0&flowCode=X&includeDesc=true
- https://comtradeapi.un.org/public/v1/preview/C/M/HS?reporterCode=156,842,699,410,276,528,356,360,764,458,724,40,56,251,380,616,826,124,76,484,792,682,784,704,490,702,643,36,710,818,364,203,348,300,620,372,208,246,752,578,320,508&period=202601&cmdCode=291560&partnerCode=0&flowCode=X&includeDesc=true
- https://comtradeapi.un.org/public/v1/preview/C/M/HS?reporterCode=156,842,699,410,276,528,356,360,764,458,724,40,56,251,380,616,826,124,76,484,792,682,784,704,490,702,643,36,710,818,364,203,348,300,620,372,208,246,752,578,320,508&period=202602&cmdCode=291560&partnerCode=0&flowCode=X&includeDesc=true
- https://comtradeapi.un.org/public/v1/preview/C/M/HS?reporterCode=156,842,699,410,276,528,356,360,764,458,724,40,56,251,380,616,826,124,76,484,792,682,784,704,490,702,643,36,710,818,364,203,348,300,620,372,208,246,752,578,320,508&period=202603&cmdCode=291560&partnerCode=0&flowCode=X&includeDesc=true
- https://comtradeapi.un.org/public/v1/preview/C/M/HS?reporterCode=156,842,699,410,276,528,356,360,764,458,724,40,56,251,380,616,826,124,76,484,792,682,784,704,490,702,643,36,710,818,364,203,348,300,620,372,208,246,752,578,320,508&period=202604&cmdCode=291560&partnerCode=0&flowCode=X&includeDesc=true
- https://comtradeapi.un.org/public/v1/preview/C/M/HS?reporterCode=156,842,699,410,276,528,356,360,764,458,724,40,56,251,380,616,826,124,76,484,792,682,784,704,490,702,643,36,710,818,364,203,348,300,620,372,208,246,752,578,320,508&period=202605&cmdCode=291560&partnerCode=0&flowCode=X&includeDesc=true
- https://comtradeapi.un.org/public/v1/preview/C/M/HS?reporterCode=156,842,699,410,276,528,356,360,764,458,724,40,56,251,380,616,826,124,76,484,792,682,784,704,490,702,643,36,710,818,364,203,348,300,620,372,208,246,752,578,320,508&period=202606&cmdCode=291560&partnerCode=0&flowCode=X&includeDesc=true
- https://comtradeapi.un.org/public/v1/preview/C/M/HS?reporterCode=156,842,699,410,276,528,356,360,764,458,724,40,56,251,380,616,826,124,76,484,792,682,784,704,490,702,643,36,710,818,364,203,348,300,620,372,208,246,752,578,320,508&period=202607&cmdCode=291560&partnerCode=0&flowCode=X&includeDesc=true
- https://comtradeapi.un.org/files/v1/app/reference/HS.json
- Eurostat Comext DS-045409, EU27 extra-EU imports, monthly: https://ec.europa.eu/eurostat/api/comext/dissemination/statistics/1.0/data/DS-045409?format=JSON&freq=M&reporter=EU27_2020&partner=EXT_EU27_2020&flow=1&indicators=VALUE_IN_EUROS&indicators=QUANTITY_IN_100KG&product=291560&sinceTimePeriod=2025-09
- ECB euro reference rate, monthly average (EXR/M.USD.EUR.SP00.A): https://data-api.ecb.europa.eu/service/data/EXR/M.USD.EUR.SP00.A?format=csvdata&startPeriod=2025-09&endPeriod=2026-09
Who are the Top Players?
Our Analysis are Happy
"Global volatility doesn't have to be a risk for your business. We monitor feedstock shifts and geopolitical trends daily to help you anticipate price movements before they hit the market."
Theo James
"Data is only as good as its source. We go beyond the numbers to ensure that the product grade you select matches your specific application, reducing waste and optimizing your operational efficiency."
Emilia Munro
"Timing is everything in petrochemical procurement. Our goal is to align your purchasing cycles with market troughs, effectively lowering your cost basis and maximizing your margins."
Branden Griffiths
we’re here to all your questions
Everything you need to know about our market analysis, product quality, and procurement process.
How much for a custom market analysis?
Costs vary based on the scope. Please contact our sales team for a custom quote.
Do you offer trade credit or bulk pricing?
Yes, we offer flexible payment terms and volume-based pricing for corporate accounts.
Do you provide product quality documentation?
Yes, every delivery includes a Certificate of Analysis (COA) and safety documentation (MSDS).
Can you help me select the right product specification?
Certainly. Our technical experts are available to guide you to the ideal grade for your specific application.