As a feed additive producer, staying on top of raw material price movements is critical. In the second week of May 2026, the trace elements market – covering zinc, manganese, copper, iodine, selenium, cobalt, and potassium salts – presented a complex picture. While some metals rallied on macro factors, others faced cost pressure from tight supply. Below is a comprehensive breakdown of key feed-grade raw materials and what they mean for your procurement strategy.
Key Takeaways for Feed Additive Buyers
Rising pressure: Zinc sulfate, manganese sulfate, magnesium sulfate, calcium formate.
High but stable: Copper sulfate, iodine, potassium chloride, sodium selenite.
Watch for tightness: Ferrous sulfate (monohydrate) due to LFP diversion.
Slight upside risk: Cobalt chloride.
Recommendation: Lock in orders for tight materials (manganese, ferrous, calcium formate); for others, adopt demand‑based replenishment with a moderate safety stock.
| Units | Week 1 of May | Week 2 of May | Week-on-week Changes | April Average Price | Avg. Price for May up to the 15th | Month-on-month Changes | Current Price as of May 20 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Shanghai Metals Market # Zinc ingots | Yuan/ton | 24,067 | 24,474 | ↑407 | 23,727 | 24,321 | ↑594 | 24,450 |
| Shanghai Metals Network # Electrolytic copper | Yuan/ton | 102,717 | 106,490 | ↑3,773 | 100,316 | 105,075 | ↑5,759 | 103,310 |
| Shanghai Metals Australia Mn46% manganese ore | Yuan/ton | 42.25 | 37.90 | ↓2.05 | 45.09 | 38.16 | ↓6.93 | 44.25 |
| Business Society imported refined iodine prices | Yuan/ton | 635,000 | 635,000 | - | 635,000 | 635,000 | - | 635,000 |
| Shanghai Metals Market Cobalt Chloride (co ≥ 24.2%) | Yuan/ton | 115,433 | 115,500 | ↑67 | 115,531 | 115,433 | ↓56 | 115,433 |
| Shanghai Metals Market Selenium Dioxide | Yuan per kilogram | 172.5 | 172.5 | - | 172.50 | 172.50 | - | 172.5 |
| Capacity utilization rate of titanium dioxide manufacturers | % | 76.16 | 76.56 | ↑0.4 | 71.78 | 76.16 | ↑4.58 | - |
1）Zinc sulfate
① Raw materials: Zinc hypooxide: The transaction coefficient remains high.
Zinc network price background: Macroscopically, US PPI in April exceeded expectations, interest rate hike expectations are positive for the US dollar but negative for metal prices.
In terms of fundamentals, there is a clear fear of high prices and weakening demand
Forecast: The average price of zinc next week will be 24,200 yuan per ton.
② Sulfuric acid: Sulfuric acid prices remain stable at a high level.
Lock in orders in time. Customers who have not purchased are advised to replenish their inventories
2）Manganese sulfate
The price of sulfuric acid is high and firm.
Manganese sulfate was quoted at a high price this week, mainly due to the continuous increase in prices of various raw materials. Currently, the overall operating rate is not high, resulting in cost hikes.
Manufacturers are tight on delivery. It is recommended to lock in orders in time to avoid the peak delivery period
3）Ferrous sulfate
The capacity utilization rate of titanium dioxide manufacturers at the raw material end has slightly rebounded, but heptahydrate ferrous has been significantly affected by the cross-industry diversion in the lithium iron phosphate industry, and the growth in the inflow of monohydrate ferrous has been limited. The tight situation remains unchanged.
Sulfuric acid: High for the week.
Quotations are firm at high levels, affected by both abundant orders and tight raw materials
4）Copper sulfate/basic copper chloride
On a macro level, the U.S. PPI rose 6 percent year-on-year in April, hitting a nearly four-year high, while the core PPI rose 5.2 percent year-on-year, far exceeding market expectations. Rising interest rate hikes are bearish for metal prices.
In terms of fundamentals, Peru's energy crisis has exacerbated shortages at the ore end, and domestic copper concentrate processing fees have remained at a low negative value, providing bottom support for copper prices. High copper prices have suppressed some downstream purchases, but emerging demand such as AI servers and new energy vehicles provides long-term support.
Copper prices are expected to fluctuate weakly next week, with a core range reference of 104,000-105,000 yuan per ton.
1) Current price trend
2) Copper price trend over the past five years (2021-2026) : Summary of the five-year trend: Upward - pullback - sideways - breakout again - High consolidation. It is currently at its highest point in nearly five years.
5) Magnesium sulfate/magnesium oxide
In terms of raw materials: Magnesium oxide has seen a slight increase recently, supported by raw materials and environmental protection.
Sulfuric acid in the north is currently stable at a high level. Magnesium sulfate is consolidating at a high level, while magnesium monohydrate is rising steadily. The peak season for aquaculture has bottomed out, raw material and energy costs are high, short-term market is strong and volatile, and it is more likely to rise than fall in the future market. It is recommended to replenish stocks in batches as needed.
6）Calcium iodate
The calcium iodate market was stable at a high level with a narrow consolidation. Raw material refined iodine is firm and cost support is solid; Manufacturers are operating steadily and there is an abundance of stock; Downstream feed companies are mainly replenishing supplies due to essential demand. Transactions are moderate and the short-term price stabilization trend continues, with no obvious upward or downward drivers. Replenishment as needed
7）Sodium selenite
Crude selenium supply is loose and prices fluctuate at a low level. Selenium dioxide is weak along with crude selenium. Feed-grade sodium selenite has stable essential demand and cost support for price stability. Short-term overall range fluctuations and average transactions. Buy on demand.
8）Cobalt chloride
Cobalt sulfate and cobalt chloride have stopped falling and are trading sideways. The tightening of cobalt quotas in Congo has propped up raw material costs. Downstream strong demand has led to flat transactions. Lithium batteries are gradually resuming production. Short-term cobalt salts are expected to be stable with a slight upward trend. It is recommended to purchase on demand.
9）Potassium chloride/potassium carbonate/calcium formate/iodide
1. Potassium chloride: The current potassium salt market is in a tight global balance of supply and demand, supported by low domestic inventories. The market is now in the off-season of demand, with the market fluctuating narrowly at a high level, unlikely to fall sharply or rise sharply. Looking ahead to the long term, the market is expected to gradually stabilize and recover as autumn fertilizer preparations start. Overall, it is more likely to rise than fall. Appropriate stockpiling and replenishment as needed.
2. Feed-grade calcium formate is expected to rise steadily with the support of raw materials. The spot market is tight and manufacturers are holding prices. The short-term market is expected to remain strong.
3 Iodide prices remained stable this week compared with last week.
Stay tuned for next week’s update. For sourcing inquiries or technical support, contact our feed additive team.
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Post time: May-22-2026
