Vitamin markets: Bullish market but for how long
Vitamin D3 500 has the most active market at the moment and prices have been very firm over the past few days. Suppliers have a strong desire to increase prices and stocks in the local regions are said to be very low and incoming shipments delayed. D3 500 prices have more than doubled in some cases and the market is active. Learn more in this week’s feed additives snapshot (week 27).
As there are also several long term contracts already in place and new demand therefore limited, the question is how long this bullish market will last. Vitamin E suppliers continue to try to increase prices as well and to a certain extend that is working, although limited until now. There is some price increase seen but nothing significant yet. Vitamin A 1000 is stable at the moment, although buyers keep a close eye on vitamin AD3, as vitamin D3 500 is firm. No specific activity is seen on other vitamins right now.
In partnership with Feed Additive Prices
Vitamin E 50%
Suppliers continue offering significantly higher prices in another attempt to increase the final market price. In some cases the price is moving up, but not yet to the extent that the suppliers would like to see it. Buyers remain conservative. and they had already contracted their vitamin E forward recently, or even some time ago already. Summer plant maintenance for several suppliers will start soon or has already started. High container freight costs add to the final vitamin E price as well. Q3 is mostly contracted and a portion of Q4 is as well.
Vitamin A 1000
As vitamin D3 500 is increasing rapidly, buyers do keep an eye on vitamin AD3 as that may increase as well and can have an effect on vitamin A 1000 too. Some market participants indicate that stocks are low, material is delayed and container freight is weighing on the price. But so far the price has been stable and buyers are not really reacting. A good portion of Q3 is contracted by now and a small overlap into Q4 as well.
Vitamin D3 500
Here the market prices of 3 important vitamins are tracked – check it out…
Within only a few days, the price of vitamin D3 500 increased significantly. There was a strong desire by suppliers to increase prices, but now price offers have indeed been much firmer. At the same time the stock levels in the different regions are said to be very low and incoming material is significantly delayed. Most suppliers indicate to be sold out or offer much higher prices compared to last week. The market has heated up a lot. There are many older long-term contracts already in Q4, so in theory, there is no need to buy material. But as the pipeline is disrupted, several buyers return to the market to take in buffer stock and are willing for now to pay a high price. A good portion of Q3 is contracted already, some overlap into Q4.
Vitamin B2 80%
The market price in Europe increased a bit compared to some weeks ago due to poorer availability at local EU suppliers. But that situation seems to have stabilised at that slightly higher price level. In other regions, the prices are mostly stable, although there is a continuous desire for manufacturers to increase prices. But demand is not supportive enough. A good portion of Q3 is already contracted for mostly strategic reasons.
D-Calpan
Despite the higher container costs, the end price of d-calpan in the regions is not really moving. The market feels stable at a low price level in most regions at the moment as supply in general is ample and suppliers are keen to maintain market share and move stock. Already a good cover ahead is taken into Q3 for strategic reasons.
Vitamin B3
Stable market and no significant changes seen and/or expected, compared to previous weeks. Higher container freight costs do not have a big impact on the final product price in this case. Demand is still said to be sluggish, therefore a significant price increase in the short term is not very likely. There is cover taken well into Q3 and in some cases even further at a time when prices were lower compared to today.
Biotin
No changes are seen in the biotin market at the moment. Supply is ample and long-term contracts have been concluded and/or pending. Prices remain historically low. A good portion of Q3 is contracted and in some cases, buyers took long-term contracts well into late 2024.
Vitamin C 35% mono
Suppliers are trying to move prices up for new business. Through a reduction in output, extended maintenance periods, and recent price increase announcements, suppliers try to increase prices. It is to be seen if this bullishness by the suppliers will do anything in the market. Prices are still at a higher level though, compared to a year ago. Q3 and partially Q4 are mostly contracted based on lower-priced old contracts.
