Vitamins markets: US vitamin A suppliers attempt price hike

There is still upward pressure on vitamin E and vitamin A. Especially for vitamin A, there is upward price pressure from supplier in the USA. Both products have increased a bit on price over the past few weeks. Learn more in this week’s feed additives snapshot (week 23).

A mix of price increase announcements, high container freight, delays in the supply, low inventory and announced plant maintenance has led to some buying action. Vitamin D3 500 is showing a firmer tone FOB China, and so is vitamin B1 mono. The container freight rate increases start to weigh as well on relatively low priced vitamins.

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Vitamin E 50%

The market sentiment continues to be firmer and 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. Also, high container freight costs add to the final vitamin E price. Prices have increased in most regions, but it is still conservative as there are doubts about how long this firmer period can and will last. It did trigger Q3 buying. Q2 is contracted and a large portion of Q3 is as well.

Vitamin A 1000

Especially in the USA, there are attempts by suppliers to increase the price. They indicate stocks are low and material is delayed. Also in other regions. 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 PRICESHere the market prices of 3 important vitamins are tracked – check it out… — **VITAMIN PRICES**
Here the market prices of 3 important vitamins are tracked – check it out…

Vitamin D3 500

Prices FOB China are firmer and some suppliers have stopped offering. There is a strong desire by manufacturers and suppliers to increase prices and move away from the relatively low price level. Also, price increases are seen as container freight increases start to be significant now. Prices in the USA and Europe have been relatively stable still, but may become firmer as well soon. The market feels quiet, despite the delays ex-China and higher container freight costs and higher fob China prices. Q2 is contracted, and a portion of Q3 is as well.

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, and there is even a bit firmer tone seen now. Demand is still said to be sluggish, so a significant price increase in the short term is not very likely. In general, the market feels quiet and prices are mostly stable at a relatively low level. If any increase is seen, it is led by higher container freight rates. 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.