Threonine and vitamin E prices on the weak side, while lysine hcl remains firm

The threonine market has gone very quiet and prices have started to weaken. Suppliers try to make combination sales with lysine, so they keep moving threonine volume. Methionine, tryptophan and valine are currently stable, could even be said they are on the weak side and quiet.

Vitamin E has been a bit weaker again compared to previous weeks and there is no sign of any changes in that market. Vitamin A is pretty static and seems to have bottomed out, at a very low price level. No significant activity seen and/or nearby changes expected. Vitamin B3 and B2 remain firm ex China in terms of price offers for additional material. But the markets for these products have turned relatively quiet and calm now. B6 has been a bit firmer recently, and attempts seen to increase prices for cholin chlorid as well. Other vitamin markets remain very calm and in most cases low priced.

In partnership with Feed Additive Prices

Lysine

The lysine market remains relatively active for Q4 purchases and prices have been a bit firmer recently. Chinese manufacturers continue to try to increase prices, in order to move away from the relatively low price levels. Output has been reduced somewhat recently and the consumption for lysine hcl is not too bad as several end users have switched from lysin liquid and lysin sulphate to hcl. In Europe, the 2023 import volume contingent for 0% duties is potentially running out already in early Q4, if the speed of imported volumes remains the same as the first half of 2023. By now, most of Q3 and a decent portion of Q4 are contracted.

Threonine

In the USA the threonine market remains pretty stable, but FOB China and in Europe prices have been weakening in the past few weeks. Price offers are lower and suppliers like to sell lysine, only in combination now with threonine. As the threonine price went up relatively quickly in May and June, and Q3 volumes were booked, there is now a strong wait-and-see attitude amongst buyers as the fundamentals did not really change. Q3 is contracted and a small portion of Q4 as well.

DL-Methionine

Very few changes are seen in the methionine market in most regions. It is quiet, prices are relatively stable and end-users are contracted ahead for the coming period. Some talks of a potential firmer market in China, but nothing concrete yet. Most of Q3 is contracted some time ago already and despite some offers for Q4, there is a strong wait-and-see attitude in general.

Tryptophan

Relatively stable prices in all regions and no major market events can be seen for the coming weeks. The Chinese market actually feels a bit weakish. Prices in Europe did go up slightly recently, but nothing significant. Q3 is well contracted and as prices are relatively low, buyers took a bit Q4 cover as well.

Valine

The market is relatively quiet and prices are stable at the moment. Although some low-priced offers are seen in Europe for specifically Chinese origin. A slightly increased consumption is expected in several regions, in Q4 2023. New capacity from traditional suppliers has been introduced step by step, not disturbing the balance too much. Additional capacity will follow. Q3 is largely contracted, and in some cases, some Q4 cover has been taken as well.

Vitamin E 50%

Slightly weaker market again this week in several regions. The market dynamics have been very static in 2023 with a weakish tone and oversupply. Despite summer plant maintenance and restructuring measures indicated by one of the biggest manufacturers, the market remains quiet and weak until now. Q3 is well contracted and a portion of Q4 is as well.

Vitamin A 1000

Static market and again no changes are seen compared to previous weeks. The recent communication of a major vitamin A manufacturer about their plans to restructure their operation due to a depressed market and low prices did not have any impact on the day-to-day business and market so far. Q3 and a portion of Q4 are contracted by now. The market is quiet and the price is relatively stable, at a low level.

Vitamin D3 500

The market feels quiet and is well contracted ahead in most cases. Some buyers have gone back to their spot purchase strategy. Suppliers continue to try to increase prices or at least stop the decline. Q3 is mostly contracted but there is a more wait-and-see attitude towards Q4 still.

Vitamin B2 80%

The overall sentiment in the market is still firmer, although recently things have cooled down and prices have stopped increasing further, for example in China and the USA. In other regions, some firmer prices were also seen, but material was contracted already well into Q3 and early Q4. In Europe, prices have stayed stable to slightly firmer.

D-Calpan

Several buyers report keeping a closer eye on d-calpan as prices continue to stabilise, although the overall trend remains weakish. The current price level is relatively low. More resistance is seen from manufacturers to lower the price further, but ultimately they also do not want to lose too much market share. There is a decent contract cover for Q3, but some buyers also continue to buy hand-to-mouth as they expect even lower prices.

Vitamin B3

There is an ongoing tightness in the availability of raw material, in China in particular. Prices in China continue to be firm. As other regions have already contracted Q3 and a portion of Q4, there is no new demand seen and less pressure on the price. Unless the contract execution will partly fail, that could change things. In most regions, the market is calmer now.