Vitamin markets: Dust settling somewhat for vitamin E and A
The market for both vitamin E and A is still very tense, but at the same time the number of transactions has reduced a lot and it seems cover is taken for the short-term and (a part of) Q4. Learn more in this week’s feed additives snapshot (week 36).
Prices are still very high, but there is also a strong wait-and-see attitude amongst buyers. Vitamin D3 500 remains high in price, but there is also a strong wait-and-see attitude for any new and/or additional business. Vitamin B3 remains firm and manufacturers have a strong desire to increase prices further. There is a decent cover for Q3/Q4 by now though and the market feels more quiet. Vitamin B1, B6 and K3 remain firmer in price. Biotin was a bit firmer recently but seems to have stabilised this week.
In partnership with Feed Additive Prices
Vitamin E 50%
The vitamin E market remains very nervous after the recent incident at a Western manufacturer, but it seems that at least for now the dust is starting to settle a bit. The impacted vitamin E manufacturer does not have a significant market share for vitamin E, so eyes are also on other traditional suppliers to see if they can fill the gaps. So far this situation has led to much firmer prices and also other suppliers have significantly increased their prices. Some are still entering plant maintenance while others just got out of that. So the market is still unclear, although the number of transactions has dropped considerably compared to previous weeks and buyers have a strong wait-and-see attitude and can carry on with existing material and/or contracts into Q4. Q3 and most of Q4 are contracted by now and even some Q1 cover is taken.
Vitamin A 1000
Despite the tense market situation after the recent incident and claim of force majeure at a Western vitamin manufacturer, the market has become relatively quiet now and hardly any transactions are reported. It seems that short-term needs have been contracted or purchased and there is a strong wait-and-see attitude right now for further market developments. Most manufacturers have still stopped offering material and it is mostly traders that are active with relatively small volumes. By now Q3 and a good portion of Q4 are contracted.
Vitamin D3 500
Prices for vitamin D3 500 have gone up considerably in the past weeks and remain at a high level until now. But by now most spot and Q3/Q4 material have been contracted and no significant demand is seen anymore and the market feels very quiet at the moment with a strong wait-and-see attitude. Suppliers remain very firm on the price though. It is now to be seen if the contracted volume will be supplied on time and in full.
Vitamin B2 80%
No changes are seen in the vitamin B2 market compared to previous weeks. The market remains stable and relatively quiet. Although both Chinese and Western manufacturers are keen to get the price up. Most of Q3 is contracted and a good portion of Q4 as well.
D-Calpan
In the past few weeks, suppliers have tried to increase prices by adjusting offers upwards or by stopping to offer at all. There was some short-lived activity seen in the market but nothing really changed compared to several weeks ago and prices are still low and stable. The market is very quiet. A good cover ahead is taken for Q3 and Q4. Already a good cover ahead is taken for Q3 and Q4.
Vitamin B3
The market sentiment remains relatively firm, although the level of activity has become less than in previous weeks in most regions. Due to a shortage and higher prices of raw materials, vitamin B3 has gone up in price. There is cover taken well into Q4.
Biotin
In the past few weeks, firmer prices were seen, but at the moment the market has stabilised again at a bit higher price level than some weeks ago. Suppliers do still have a strong drive to increase prices further. Recently several suppliers have stopped offering and/or are increasing their price offers for new business. Prices have been very low for a long time now and there is a decent forward cover already at these low levels.
Vitamin C 35% mono
There is an ongoing strong desire from manufacturers to increase the price of several vitamin C products. So far no significant increase has been seen. The only real impact on the price is seen from the increased container rates. But recently, the container freight rate on some routes has weakened again. Suppliers are undergoing summer plant maintenance. Q3 and most of Q4 are contracted.
