Maintaining a keen insight into the supply and demand fundamentals of niche fine chemical raw materials is at the core of optimizing international trade procurement and global supply chain configurations. Today, Wuxi High Mountain Hi-tech Development Co., Ltd. provides a systematic overview of the domestic chloroacetic acid (MCAA) market operations, supply-demand structures, and future market outlook based on first-hand market data for May (May 1, 2026 – May 25, 2026), aiming to deliver objective and practical commercial references for our global partners.

1. May Chloroacetic Acid Market Summary: Decreasing Price Center After Initial Surge

In May, the domestic chloroacetic acid market experienced a volatile "declining after an initial surge" trend, accompanied by generally moderate downstream purchasing sentiment. Statistics show that as of May 25, the monthly average price of chloroacetic acid stood at 3,479 RMB/ton, down 1,448 RMB/ton from the previous month's average (4,927 RMB/ton), representing a decline of 29.39%.

Since entering May, the market evolution trajectory fell into two distinct phases:

• Early Month Phase (Cost Support & Minor Supplement Upward): Following the Labor Day holiday, spot prices for raw material liquid chlorine and glacial acetic acid remained relatively firm. Supported by cost pressures, chloroacetic acid production enterprises slightly raised their selling quotes, prompting some manufacturers with lower previous prices to follow suit.

• Mid-to-Late Month Phase (Weak Demand & Lowering Price Center): Nearing the middle of the month, purchasing sentiment among downstream manufacturing enterprises remained persistently sluggish, while the price of the primary raw material, acetic acid, reversed downward. Against this backdrop, despite localized adjustments to operation loads across certain chloroacetic acid facilities, shipping pressures on manufacturers remained apparent. This led to a gradual drop in ex-factory transaction prices, with reports of even lower individual trade negotiations in local markets.

2. Multi-Dimensional Portfolio of the Industrial Chain

Supply Side: Partial Plant Resumptions with a Slight Increase in Overall Supply

Industry operation rates experienced regional fluctuations after the holiday. Following Labor Day, certain chloroacetic acid enterprises in the Henan region raised their production loads. Meanwhile, previously suspended production facilities in the Jiangsu region resumed operations around the middle of the month. Although a few individual factories in Henan scaled back production capacities in the mid-to-late period due to phase-specific shipping pressures, production loads of chloroacetic acid enterprises in Shanxi stayed at a relatively high level. Comprehensively, the overall spot supply in the domestic chloroacetic acid market during May witnessed a slight increase compared to the previous period.

Demand Side: Quiet Inquiries Dominated by Rigid-Demand Purchasing

Throughout the month, overall order intake across various downstream application sectors was quiet, showing a lack of intent for concentrated, large-volume bulk purchasing. Most buyers maintained a scattered procurement pace tied strictly to "rigid demand," resulting in a quiet trading atmosphere. The demand side provided insufficient upward momentum for market prices.

Cost Side: Acetic Acid Fluctuated While Liquid Chlorine Impact Remained Limited

This month, raw material acetic acid prices similarly demonstrated an initial rise followed by a decline, and chloroacetic acid manufacturers flexibly micro-adjusted their selling quotes based on immediate profit margins. Notably, while liquid chlorine prices adjusted flexibly within the month, the vast majority of large and medium-sized domestic chloroacetic acid enterprises are equipped with integrated chlor-alkali support facilities. Consequently, the volatility of liquid chlorine itself had a limited external impact on the chloroacetic acid market, leaving the cost focus heavily centered on the acetic acid market dynamics.

3. Current Mainstream Spot Transaction Prices

The actual transaction prices for mainstream domestic production regions of flake chloroacetic acid are distributed as follows:

• Hebei Region: Mainstream transaction prices are concentrated between 3,400–3,500 RMB/ton.

• Shandong Region: Mainstream transaction prices are concentrated between 3,300–3,400 RMB/ton.

• Henan Region: Mainstream transaction prices are concentrated between 3,000–3,400 RMB/ton.

• Shanxi Region: Mainstream transaction prices are concentrated between 3,100–3,300 RMB/ton.

4. Next-Month Market Outlook and Supply-Demand Projections

Looking ahead to next month, the chloroacetic acid market faces variables across cost, supply, and demand fronts, pointing toward a volatile, dual-weak pattern in both supply and demand:

• Cost Aspect Expectations: The domestic acetic acid market's average price is projected to continue its weak, volatile trend next month, with a potential further decline of 100–200 RMB/ton, which may continue to weaken cost-end support for chloroacetic acid.

• Supply Aspect Expectations: A partial reduction in supply is expected. Several chloroacetic acid enterprises in Shandong have scheduled maintenance in the near future. Although manufacturers in other regions have no explicit overhaul plans, most factories will flexibly adjust their production loads based on inventory levels and shipping pressures, creating an expectation of tighter market supply.

• Demand Aspect Expectations: As summer temperatures rise, safety and environmental inspections across various regions are anticipated to increase. Operation rates of downstream end-user enterprises face risks of downward adjustments, meaning the overall market trading atmosphere is unlikely to see a significant short-term rebound.

In Summary: Although the supply side may see localized reductions next month, the potential drop in downstream operation rates will concurrently offset this benefit. Combining this with the price trajectory of raw material acetic acid, the domestic price range for chloroacetic acid next month is projected to fluctuate primarily between 3,500–4,100 RMB/ton.