Global vitamin markets held a firming tone this week as tight supply and lingering Middle East concerns shaped sentiment across regions. In Asia, activity was muted, but vitamins A, E, and B3 stayed firm as several producers raised offers in both export and domestic channels, though some traders offered slightly lower levels on speculation that prices could ease if the conflict resolves. European prices were steady across the board, with participants citing continued tightness, reduced availability of lower-priced material, planned shutdowns, and low inventories following hand-to-mouth buying in recent quarters. US prices ended mixed, with vitamins A and E firming on raw material concerns and the BASF shutdown, while vitamin D3 weakened. Brazil held steady early before strengthening late week as buyers covered immediate needs at higher prices, with most of the B-complex firming while B6 and B9 held stable on stronger stock positions.
Asia
A stable trend dominated across vitamins this week, with sources reported muted activity. Vitamins A, E and B3 remain on a firm trend, with several producers raising their offer prices in both the export and domestic markets, while some traders offered at slightly lower levels amid concerns that prices could fall if the Middle East conflict ends.
Europe
Steady prices were seen across the board, with market participants reporting continued tightness and reduced availability of lower-priced material, according to sources. The uncertainty in the market around the impact of the conflict in the Middle East on the supply/price of raw materials, the limited availability due to planned shutdowns, and a surge in demand (hand-to-mouth of the last quarters has left inventories at a very low level) remain crucial drivers, sources said.
North America
US vitamin prices ended the week mixed, with vitamins A and E firming while vitamin D3 weakened. Producers of A and E continued to flag raw material availability as an ongoing concern, and market sources noted that inventories remained low across many regions, supporting a firming trend in markets dependent on imports. Vitamin A moved higher on fresh buyer indications, extending gains tied to the BASF shutdown and limited producer offers. Vitamin E also firmed, with a new buyer indication pushing the top of the range higher amid continued tightness. Vitamin D3 softened on weaker buyer indications.
South America
The Brazilian vitamin market held steady early in the week following previous price increases but strengthened late in the week as buyers secured immediate supply needs at higher prices amid tight availability. B6 and B9 maintained relative stability supported by stronger stock positions while most other items across the B-complex range firmed.
Local media reported potential US and Iran talks progressing constructively. However, suppliers maintained their cautious stance on allocations given elevated crude oil prices and fears of prolonged supply interruptions, meaning supply remained tight.
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Written by Elliot Holgate, Lydia Ma, Greg Potter and Karolina Zagrodna
