In September 2025, Carnitine prices in China rose 2.38% in response to higher raw material prices, government stimulus programs, and supply chain constraints from tariffs. Higher prices for inputs such as fatty acids and their derivatives combined with government stimulus programs has generated more activity in nutraceuticals and pharmaceuticals leading to a rise in demand for Carnitine. Tariffs on chemicals brought about a constraint on the availability of raw materials, while a stable USD/CNY exchange also supported the competitiveness of exports. Demand rose in pharmaceuticals, nutraceuticals and animal feed as a result of wellness trends around the world and efforts at replenishing inventories in China. Modest drawdowns in inventories and effective logistics easing earlier serious overcapacity has changed the outlook for the Carnitine market in China from cautious to somewhat bullish. In early October, Carnitine prices are still at a high level because of still active demand conditions and upward pressures on input costs. Market activists forecast large increases in Carnitine prices through late October as restocking occurs for yearend production cycles, various inquiries from outside buyers for existing supplies are increasing in number, and inventory levels are tightening slightly reinforcing all generally favorable developments for the markets for Carnitine in China's active chemical sector.
In the first part of October 2025 prices of Carnitine in the Chinese market kept going up, and to make matters worse they'd gained another 2.38% in September. These continued high prices for Carnitine are due to a combination of rising raw material costs and an exceptionally strong demand both on the domestic and international sides. The Carnitine market is being driven by a surge in prices for the raw materials it needs to make - such as fatty acid derivatives & precursors - these are following the general trend of commodity prices and have sent production costs higher. As a result of that Carnitine producers have had to hike their prices, helping to keep those Carnitine prices moving upwards.
By September 2025 the Carnitine market had flipped from August's rather gloomy outlook to being cautiously optimistic. The trade tensions that've been going on in recent months, with tariffs on chemical imports going up in 2025, have caused all sorts of problems for the supply chains of the raw materials Carnitine needs. As a result the availability of those materials has been squeezed tight, and the cost of making Carnitine has gone up as a result.
Looking at the supply side, the prices for Carnitine have been influenced by increasing raw materials & energy cost, plus various logistical headaches. Key inputs like fatty acid derivatives have seen price rises very similar to those that the creatine monohydrate market is experiencing. On the plus side, government stimulus has improved, factories are running smoothly but has also added to energy and transport costs - which supported the price rise. Technological advancements in the fermentation have helped with supply bottlenecks a bit, but overall, it's been cost-push inflation & growth in production that has kept prices steady. Inventory levels have reduced a bit, which has helped alleviate concerns of overproduction, and left the Carnitine market in a balanced place. Despite some suppliers of Carnitine discounting their prices to compete, there's been a bit of a boost from export sales and efficient trade flows - overall the market has been nudged a bit more in a positive direction.
Demand for Carnitine in September 2025 saw an increasing trend, especially due to increased demand in the pharmaceuticals, nutraceuticals & animal feed areas. Nutraceutical applications - particularly for weight loss and energy supplements. These have been picking up a lot of steam thanks to global wellness trends & rising obesity rates, which has really put the foot down on demand for Carnitine. Pharmaceuticals making use of Carnitine to treat metabolic disorders have also played their part, though there's still some caution going on in case prices surge again. There's been some stimulus from the government that's helped the health industry, which has encouraged a bit of restocking - and inventories from earlier oversupply are now dwindling down. Export volumes have picked up which has helped offset previous weaker domestic demand, and the logistics & digital trading platforms have really streamlined the whole process of buying & selling Carnitine - all this has helped close the gap between supply and demand a bit and supported price stability.
Looking forward to 2025, market expecting the continuation of price hike for Carnitine in mid-October. Market experts say it’s all down to restocking ahead of the end of the year, when manufacturers in pharma and supplements really start getting back on the production treadmill. They're also predicting a flurry of export orders for Carnitine plus steady domestic sales which is all going to keep the market upward. Supply is going to be a bit tighter as stock levels edge downwards. This is all going to keep pushing prices up, and the strong demand won’t be letting up any time soon. As for China, that market is really driving ahead, with Carnitine playing a crucial role in the health and industrial sectors.
