Vitamin markets: Several market disruptions announced
There is still upward pressure on vitamin E and to a certain extend on vitamin A, both products have increased a bit on price over the past few weeks. A mix of price increase announcements, delays in the supply, low inventory and announced plant maintenance has led to some buying action. The container freight rate increases start to weigh as well on relatively low priced vitamins. A B12 source ex China has been authorised in the EU. Learn more in this week’s feed additives snapshot (week 22).
In partnership with Feed Additive Prices
Vitamin E 50%
The market sentiment continues to be firmer and the market still shows some buying activity in several regions, although less than in previous weeks. Delays in shipments, price increase announcements, announced plant maintenance, low stock levels, and decent consumption have led to a firmer market. Prices have moved up a bit in most regions, but it is still conservative as there are still doubts as to how long this firmer period can and will last. It did trigger Q3 buying as prices are still relatively low. Q2 is contracted and a large portion of Q3 is as well.
Vitamin A 1000
Several potential market disruptions are being communicated like price increases, reduction in production output, maintenance periods, and supply delays. But so far the price is moving only slightly up and buyers are not reacting really to any of these communications. Prices are stable to slightly firmer in most regions. The market is quiet. Most of Q2 has been contracted and a portion of Q3 as well.
Vitamin D3 500
Prices fob China have gone up lately and there is a strong desire by manufacturers and suppliers to increase prices and move away from the relatively low price level. Slight increase in prices seen as container freight increases start to be more significant now. But as with many vitamins, it is not that easy and buyers are not tempted to take long-term contracts as they do not see any structural bullish factors. This has led to stable prices in most regions so far, at a low price level. The market feels quiet, despite the delays ex China and higher container freight costs. Q2 is contracted, and in some cases a portion of Q3.
Vitamin B2 80%
Again, there have been some attempts by suppliers to increase prices, but so far there has been no reaction from the market. In general, the vitamin B2 market remains quiet and stable. Prices in Asia are still relatively low, while prices in Europe and the US are higher. Most of Q2 is contracted and bits and pieces of Q3 as well.
D-Calpan
Slight increase in prices seen as container freight increases start to be more significant now. Suppliers are trying to increase prices for new demand and container price increases are potentially leading to firmer prices as well, although that impact is relatively limited on the total price/kg. Despite that, prices remain stable in most regions at a low level as supply in general is ample and suppliers are keen to maintain market share and move stock. Already a decent cover ahead is taken for Q2. Q3 is still mostly uncovered.
Vitamin B3
Most suppliers have stopped reducing prices further, as that did not trigger additional sales. Demand is still said to be sluggish, so a price increase in the short term is also not very likely. In general, the market feels quiet and prices are mostly stable at a relatively low level. Availability seems to be OK in most regions. There was already some cover taken into Q2 and even early Q3 some time ago when prices stabilised at a low level.
Biotin
There have been some attempts by manufacturers to increase prices, but it did not work. Supply is ample and long-term contracts have been concluded and/or pending. The market is quiet and even slightly lower prices were seen again for both biotin pure or the lower 2% content material. Prices remain historically low. Most of Q2 is contracted and some of Q3 is as well. In some cases, buyers took long-term contracts well into late 2024.
Vitamin C 35% mono
Even though some manufacturers have indicated to reduce their production output, the market sentiment has turned a bit weak over the past few weeks. No major changes are seen, but in some regions, vitamin C prices have come down a bit and demand is sluggish. Prices are still at a higher level though, compared to a year ago. There are still long-term contracts in place that were concluded at the previous low price levels and carry well into 2024. Q2 is largely contracted and in some cases, a large portion of 2024 as well.
