Ketoprofen FOB Shanghai Remains Firm on Stable Feedstocks and Export Offtake

China Ketoprofen (USP FOB Shanghai) prices continued to remain firm during the first half of July 2026 as stable producer utilization and sustained summer analgesic demand from Latin America and Southeast Asia supported steady export offtake, keeping Ketoprofen offers slightly elevated. Upstream 3-benzoylpropionic acid and propionic acid derivatives remained stable across East China, with no major anhydride shortages reported, allowing Ketoprofen manufacturers to maintain consistent conversion margins. The market outlook in July reflects the continuation of favorable export fundamentals that emerged in June.

Previously, China Ketoprofen (USP FOB Shanghai) prices increased by 1.61% during June 2026 as tightening prompt availability and firm export enquiries created a bullish market tone. Early June saw export-oriented Ketoprofen producers in Zhejiang, Shandong, and Hebei maintain steady operating rates while limiting spot allocations, enabling higher offer levels despite broadly stable production costs. Throughout the month, disciplined allocation toward long-term overseas contracts restricted merchant availability of Ketoprofen, while geopolitical concerns in the Middle East encouraged exporters to maintain conservative pricing strategies as protection against potential feedstock disruptions. As a result, Ketoprofen market conditions remained supported by strong downstream demand and growing logistics constraints.

The pharmaceutical sector remained the principal demand driver for Ketoprofen during June. Robust production of NSAID formulations, arthritis therapies, pain management products, and continued API supply to pharmaceutical formulators sustained consumption levels. Additional enquiries from formulators in India and Brazil further strengthened the Ketoprofen market, while seasonal analgesic demand across Latin America and Southeast Asia maintained healthy export volumes. However, some buyers delayed larger procurement decisions until upcoming Q4 tender cycles, slightly moderating immediate restocking activity. China’s dominant position in global Ketoprofen supply, representing approximately 60–70% of worldwide availability according to ChemAnalyst data, continued to reinforce its influence over international trade flows and pricing trends.

On the supply side, stable feedstock conditions supported Ketoprofen production economics. Inputs such as 3-bromacetophenone and benzoyl chloride remained broadly steady, while stable 3-benzoylpropionic acid availability enabled producers to preserve margins without facing significant raw material cost pressure. Additionally, easing aromatic feedstock costs following refinery normalization in Shandong slightly reduced marginal production expenses. Nevertheless, geopolitical developments continue to pose potential risks to benzene-related supply chains. Logistics conditions remained challenging, with Shanghai port delays extending from two to three days in May to four to five days during June, averaging nearly 60 hours according to ChemAnalyst data. These delays encouraged some buyers to advance purchases of Ketoprofen to avoid shipment disruptions. No major maintenance shutdowns or environmental restrictions were reported, allowing production facilities to operate normally.

Looking ahead, ChemAnalyst expects the Ketoprofen market to remain largely stable through the second half of 2026. Stable producer utilization, disciplined export allocations, and ongoing summer demand are expected to support Ketoprofen prices in the near term, while feedstock fluctuations, geopolitical developments, and logistics conditions will continue to influence market direction. Although only modest month-to-month price movements are anticipated, Ketoprofen market sentiment is expected to remain firm as exporters balance steady demand with controlled supply availability.