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Melamine Price Trend Analysis 2026: Historical Prices, Supply Demand Analysis, Market Insights, Latest News & Price Drivers
Written ByShriya Singh
Latest Development
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Melamine Price Trend Q2 2026
| Product | Region | Incoterm Basis | Price | Last Updated Month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Melamine | China | FOB | USD 968.49/MT | May 2026 |
| Melamine | USA | FOB | USD 1,087.68/MT | May 2026 |
| Melamine | Germany | FOB | USD 1,061.94/MT | May 2026 |
| Melamine | India | CIF | USD 968.49/MT | May 2026 |
| Melamine | Japan | CIF | USD 968.49/MT | May 2026 |
| Melamine | China | FOB | USD 1,258.44/MT | April 2026 |
| Melamine | USA | FOB | USD 1,363.44/MT | April 2026 |
| Melamine | Germany | FOB | USD 1,347.44/MT | April 2026 |
| Melamine | India | CIF | USD 1,308.33/MT | April 2026 |
| Melamine | Japan | CIF | USD 1,300.44/MT | April 2026 |
Stay updated with the latest Melamine prices, historical data, and tailored regional analysis
- Global melamine pricing in Q2 2026 declined across all major regions, driven by oversupply, weak downstream consumption, and sustained inventory pressure in resin and laminate value chains.
- Feedstock urea remained well supplied in China, keeping production costs low and removing cost-side support even when fertilizer markets briefly tightened due to geopolitical disruptions.
- Downstream demand from decorative laminates, plywood, MDF, and furniture manufacturing stayed weak due to sluggish construction and housing activity, reducing procurement intensity.
Asia
In China, the monthly average melamine price was around RMB 8.54/kg in April and ~RMB 6.58/kg in the subsequent month, showing a decrease of ~23.0%. Similarly, in Japan, the monthly average melamine price was ~JPY 209.51/kg in April and approx. JPY 156.03/kg in the subsequent month, showing a decrease of ~25.5%. Prices fell due to excess domestic production capacity, high inventories, and weak demand from wood panel and laminate manufacturers. Export competition from Asian suppliers further pressured offers, while urea feedstock remained abundantly available, reducing production cost support. Meanwhile, in India, the monthly average melamine price was about INR 124.90/kg in April and ~INR 92.45/kg in the subsequent month, showing a decrease of about 26.0%. Weak downstream demand from laminates and adhesives, combined with ample import availability, led to aggressive inventory correction and reduced spot buying.
Europe
In Germany, the monthly average melamine price was ~EUR 1.33/kg in April and around EUR 0.93/kg in the subsequent month, showing a decrease of ~30.1%. Prices declined due to weak demand from furniture and construction sectors, high inventories, and increased availability of competitively priced Asian imports. Lower feedstock costs during most of the quarter added further pressure.
North America
In North America, the monthly average melamine price was ~USD 2,150.44/MT in April and approx. USD 1,087.68/MT in the subsequent month, showing a decrease of ~49.4%. Prices dropped sharply due to weak demand from laminate and wood adhesive sectors, adequate import availability from Asia, and buyers delaying purchases expecting further declines, which intensified downward momentum.
Analyst Insight
According to Procurement Resource, melamine prices are expected to remain under pressure with limited recovery potential, as feedstock normalization and adequate global supply continue to outweigh stable but moderate downstream demand.
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- Global melamine prices showed a sharp upward trend in Q1 2026, shifting from weak stability in January to a strong surge in March, driven by cost shocks and supply tightening.
- Feedstock pressure intensified as urea prices strengthened, further amplified by the Iran war and disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz, which severely impacted global fertilizer trade and raised production costs.
- Downstream demand improved gradually after the Spring Festival, with restocking in panel and coatings sectors supporting price transmission despite earlier weakness.
Asia
In China, the melamine price curve witnessed a fluctuating trajectory with an upward bias in the first quarter of 2026. The quarter began with weak demand and oversupply pressure, keeping prices soft despite slight cost support. Ahead of the Chinese New Year and Spring Festival, prices saw limited upward movement due to tight supply and firm urea costs. Post-holiday, demand recovery was slow, and prices remained largely stable due to balanced supply-demand conditions.
Entering March, the market surged sharply as the Iran war and disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz severely impacted global urea trade, tightening supply and sharply increasing costs. Around 35% of global seaborne urea trade was disrupted, while Iran’s exports declined significantly, triggering strong cost transmission across the melamine chain. Tight domestic supply, plant maintenance, and strong downstream restocking further accelerated price increases.
Europe
In Europe, melamine prices followed an upward trend, supported by rising import costs and tight global supply. The Iran war and Strait of Hormuz disruptions increased energy and fertilizer costs, directly impacting urea-linked production economics and supporting prices despite moderate demand.
North America
In North America, melamine prices also strengthened, driven by higher feedstock costs and global supply disruptions. Logistics risks and rising energy costs linked to Middle East tensions increased production expenses, while steady demand from construction and coatings sectors supported the market.
About Melamine
Melamine, also known as cyanuramide, is a colourless crystalline compound. It is a nitrogen-rich compound whose derivatives are used as flame retardants. It is used to make thermosetting plastics, plywood, kitchenware, dinnerware and melamine resins.
Melamine Product Detail
Hs Code
29336100
Chemical Formula
C3H6N6
Cas Number
108-78-1
Molecular Weight
126.119 g/mol
Industrial Uses
Thermosetting Plastics, Plywoods, melamine resins, soundproof materials
Synonyms
Cyanuramide, Triamino Triazine
Supplier Database
Sichuan Golden Elephant Chemical, Nissan Chemical Industries, BASF SE, Mitsui Chemicals Inc., OCI Nitrogen, Cornerstone Chemical Company, Borealis AG, Haohua Junhua Group Co. Ltd., Methanol Holdings.
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.
Melamine Production Processes
Melamine is produced by using urea as the starting material. Urea is decomposed into cyanic acid and ammonia, and cyanic acid further polymerizes to form melamine.
Frequently Asked Questions
Melamine prices showed a sharp upward trend during Q1 2026. In China, prices increased by 27.22% from January to March, while India recorded a 22.33% increase. The quarter began with weak stability, but prices surged in March as urea costs rose sharply and supply tightened.
The melamine outlook for 2026 is expected to remain sensitive to urea feedstock costs, plant operating rates, and demand from laminates, wood panels, coatings, adhesives, and molding compounds. Demand may improve with construction and furniture activity, but new capacity and weak downstream buying could limit strong price gains in some regions.
Melamine prices are primarily influenced by urea feedstock costs, plant operating rates, and supply-demand conditions across the laminates, wood panels, coatings, adhesives, and molding compounds sectors. Changes in urea availability, production outages, downstream restocking activity, export demand, and inventory levels can significantly affect market sentiment and pricing trends. In addition, energy costs and environmental regulations may influence production economics and supply availability.
China is the dominant producer and consumer of melamine due to its large urea-based production capacity and strong downstream resin industry. Other important market participants include Germany, the Netherlands, Qatar, the United States, India, and Japan. Major producers include OCI, Borealis, Prefere Melamines, Cornerstone Chemical, Qatar Melamine Company, Sichuan Golden Elephant, and Henan Xinlianxin.
In January 2026, Proman Trinidad temporarily suspended production at its melamine plant in Point Lisas for an initial two-year period, citing continued unfavorable global market conditions. The shutdown reduced regional supply availability and reflected persistent pressure from weak margins, elevated production costs, and competitive global market conditions.
Melamine is produced from urea, so urea price movement directly affects production economics. In Q1 2026, higher urea prices raised melamine manufacturing costs, especially for producers exposed to volatile fertilizer and natural gas markets. When producers face higher urea costs, they usually increase melamine offers to protect margins.
Plant operating rates strongly influence melamine supply because production is concentrated among integrated urea and chemical producers. Lower operating rates, maintenance shutdowns, or prolonged plant closures reduce market availability and support prices when downstream demand is steady. Higher operating rates can ease supply tightness but may pressure prices if buyer demand is weak.
Procurement Resource employs a structured methodology combining primary research, secondary market data, analytical models, and validation processes to assess melamine prices and trends. Price evaluations incorporate supply-demand dynamics, feedstock movements, trade flows, and value chain analysis, supported by continuous market monitoring to ensure accurate and reliable insights.
About the Author
Shriya Singh
Business Insights Analyst
Helping procurement and sourcing teams navigate complex markets through data-driven research, category intelligence, and actionable insights - with a focus on identifying market trends, analyzing supply-side developments, and delivering clear intelligence that supports informed business decisions.
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