Vitamin market: BASF resuming vitamin A and E production ahead of schedule
The global vitamin market remains relatively stable, with some fluctuations driven by production updates, currency shifts, and regional trade policies. Key players like BASF have announced earlier-than-expected production resumptions, which may impact market dynamics in the coming months. While certain vitamins, such as vitamin E and vitamin A, are seeing weak demand, others like vitamin D3 continue to experience tight supply. Below is a detailed update (week 12) on the latest trends and pricing movements across key vitamins.
In partnership with Feed Additive Prices
Vitamin E 50%
BASF has communicated that their vitamin E production will be resumed in May instead of July. The force majeure will not be lifted straight away, first the supply chain will be replenished. The market is quiet currently and prices are stable to weak in all regions. Only in the USA is the price stable, as any decline is offset by the imposed import duties. Q2 is mostly contracted.
Vitamin A 1000
BASF has mentioned that they are on track to resume production in April 2025. The market has been weak recently and it has to be seen how this renewed capacity may potentially influence the market. Buyers are mostly on the sideline and buy hand-to-mouth.Q2 is largely contracted already.
Vitamin D3 500
Although stock levels are still low and overall availability is still tight, the market prices have shown some decline, although it is still at a high level. A good portion of Q2 is contracted by now, as buyers did not expect any significant short-term price relief.
Vitamin B2 80%
The market continues to display stability with consistent prices and a positive outlook on availability, bolstered by the recent approval of a new Chinese supplier for the EU market. Although manufacturers remain inclined to pursue price increases, the prevailing stability reflects a balanced market environment. Looking forward, notable fluctuations are not expected in the near term, with Q1 and the majority of Q2 already fully contracted.
D-Calpan
In most regions, the market remains stable. Only in Europe, the price has been a bit lower due to a more favourable EUR against the USD. In the US the prices are slightly higher as additional import duties start to be seen. A good portion of Q2 has been contracted already.
Vitamin B3
Prices continue to be weak, as for example Chinese suppliers continue to adjust prices downwards to try to secure market share. In Europe the EUR-USD has been stronger, leading to lower prices. In the USA the market is stable as the price decline is offset by higher import duties. The recent incident at a vitamin B3 production facility did not influence the bearish trend. A decent portion of Q2 has been contracted but not all of it yet.
Biotin
Recently, a small price decline was seen for biotin pure and that has led to a small decline in the diluted biotin 2% product as well. The biotin market has shown stability over the past few months, consistently maintaining a historically low level. The current market remains balanced, with no significant fluctuations expected in the near term. Contracts for the first quarter are firmly in place, along with a large portion of agreements for the second quarter.
Vitamin C 35% mono
While vitamin C prices remain mostly stable, a slight decline in sentiment is observable in certain regions. Current market trends reveal a strong desire among suppliers to implement price increases either directly or by restricting offers, even as some suppliers are quoting lower FOB China prices compared to previous weeks. This has led to a largely static market with prices remaining steady or slightly decreasing in specific areas, contrary to the anticipated upward movement. Furthermore, a significant number of contracts for both Q1 and Q2 have already been finalised.
