Recent weeks have seen a largely stable global vitamin market, with minimal price movement across key products. Strong forward contracting for Q2 and Q3 has resulted in subdued demand and calm trading, despite regional price differences and supply disruptions.
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Vitamin E 50%
Recent weeks have shown minimal changes in the market landscape. While suppliers are pushing for increased pricing, many are either delaying proposals or entering periods of maintenance. The market appears predominantly contracted, with insufficient demand to drive further activity. Consequently, attention has largely shifted toward honouring existing agreements, as commitments for Q2 and a significant portion of Q3 are already in place.
Vitamin A 1000
The market remains stable following recent price increases, with demand decreasing and less pressure observed. No new price hikes have occurred this week, and suppliers are mostly still withholding offers on their vitamin A, as they would like to try to move away from the current low price levels. The current situation is calm, and end-users have secured agreements for the second and part of the third quarter.
Vitamin D3 500
A shift is occurring in several regions as buyers remain cautious due to the lack of new demand. Suppliers aim to sustain output while managing inventory, and buyers are being strategic in their purchases, focusing on short-term plans to avoid high prices. This has resulted in some equilibrium in the market, along with a price decline in some cases. A significant portion of Q2 has already been secured through existing agreements.
Vitamin B2 80%
In line with a general firmer tone in the vitamin market, vitamin B2 also firmed a bit in price, but nothing significant. The recent increase did trigger some forward buying, and Q2 and most of Q3 have been contracted by now.
D-Calpan
After the recent increase in D-Calpan prices, the market has become calm again, and in some cases, local spot prices even declined a bit. Buyers have successfully secured their stocks for at least the second quarter and a small portion of the third quarter based on old, lower price contracts.
Vitamin B3
Recent developments in the petrochemical market due to the ongoing conflict in the Middle East have affected the availability of intermediates for vitamin B3 production, resulting in a slight price increase. However, the market is currently stable, with established long-term positions and steady prices. Contracts for the second and third quarters, along with parts of the fourth quarter, are already secured.
Biotin
Over the past few weeks, a notable uptick in prices was seen, following a prolonged phase of low and stable developments. This was largely fuelled by stronger sentiment in the vitamin market stemming from the situation in the Middle East, which has also likely impacted the availability of key raw materials for biotin production. However, with significant forward cover now established, the biotin market has subsequently entered a calmer phase.
Vitamin C 35% mono
Rather large regional differences are seen. For example, the spot prices in Europe have increased quite significantly over the past few weeks as the supply chain has been disrupted ex-China. But for example, on a FOB China basis, prices have only shown a minor increase, and availability is good. Relatively long forward contracts are concluded for vitamin C mono for Q2, Q3, and even some for Q4.
