In September 2025, US calcium powder prices increased on the back of a combination of increasing domestic manufacturing activity and residual impact of trade tariffs. While US plants posted mild growth, tepid new orders and tariff costs imposed a damper on input prices. The import market was volatile, with prices rising slowly as trade tensions persisted. There was some relief, however, as the Peak Season Surcharge (PSS) was delayed until October 15, and the General Rate Increase (GRI) was entirely withdrawn due to low demand. Carriers responded by cutting freight rates in an effort to stimulate activity, with discounts running through mid-October. Notably, export prices rose on the back of strong demand from Southeast Asia and Europe despite trade policy issues, with port operations remaining strong to support higher volumes of exports. In the future, the market is also be safeguarded. The sellers are looking at the trade levels between U.S.-China and the local production tendencies extremely closely, which would be the most influential determinants of the prices of calcium powder in the fourth quarter of 2025.
Key Highlights:
The U.S. market for calcium powder experienced a notable change of around +3% in prices during September as both domestic production levels, trade, and changing global demand dynamics control the market. Although the price increase is partly due to the general economic pressures, analysts indicate that the increase is also correlated with changing patterns of trade, especially with China.
U.S. manufacturing activity inched upward in September, according to recent industry reports. But the expansion was weighed down by soft new orders, as factories continued to grapple with the lingering consequences of President Donald Trump's broad tariffs.
Despite this, the sustained pick-up in manufacturing activity has pushed demand for industry inputs up, such as calcium powder-one of the important inputs used in industries like drugs, food processing, and construction. Increasing domestic demand has propelled calcium powder prices upward, though experts mention that the recovery remains uneven.
The market for importation of calcium powder has been characterized by optimistic conservatism; prices pushed upward amid persistent uncertainty. Tensions in trade and rolling tariffs have caused importers trouble keeping ahead of costs, promoting a more conservative procurement attitude. The recent reprieve awarded in deferment of the Peak Season Surcharge (PSS)-a surcharge normally imposed during peak demand periods-through October 15 has been some salve. Additionally, the planned September 15 General Rate Increase (GRI) was canceled outright due to weaker than expected demand.
Carriers, experiencing slack demand, started cutting freight rates to encourage business, with some offering extended discounted rates to October 14. The move is designed to push shippers prior to China's Golden Week holiday when industry activity normally subsides.
Notably, while import prices of calcium powder have increased moderately, export prices of calcium powder have increased substantially. The trend defies the overall backdrop of trade policy uncertainty and indicates that international demand remains strong. Trade business analysts attribute the increase in export prices to the fact that port operations are smooth and there is good demand in markets like Southeast Asia and Europe, where calcium powder is in high demand for industrial and agricultural applications.
As the market heads into the fourth quarter of 2025, all players are taking a wait-and-see approach. The GRI withdrawal and the near-term suspension of the PSS are symptomatic of importers and carriers preparing for what they believe will be a slow demand climate. Yet some optimism comes in the form of the strength of export prices which indicates that demand for calcium powder remains robust in the face of trade policy challenges.
