US sodium bisulfite edged higher in early March after a sharp late-February correction as buyers tested the bottom of a prolonged downtrend. Yet the rebound remained tentative amid tepid downstream demand and ample inventories that kept sellers competitive. Steady import arrivals and a comfortable stock position supported supply-side resilience, while online consumer concerns over sulfite preservatives dampened confidence among formulators and cooled spot inquiries. Demand from personal-care and food formulators stayed soft through February as transparency questions around sulfite preservatives weighed on buying appetite. The February assessment indicated softer levels versus prior, highlighting a structurally weak spot market. Supply remained ample with no raw-material shortages or major logistics issues; producers reported calm operations and uninterrupted flows. Looking ahead, any sustained upturn depends on renewed formulators' confidence and a re-entry into spot markets. Without a demand rebound or tightening supply, prices are expected to remain constrained near recent levels. The rebound will depend on downstream sentiment.
