US Vitamin B5 markets eased in January as logistics improvements and origin-side availability reduced landed costs and softened spot interest. Early-month gains in vessel availability after year-end blank sailings alleviated freight stress, while Chinese pantothenate plants operated normally and European outages were not reported, keeping origin supply ample. Domestic buyers entered January with replenishment, limiting spot tenders to contract call-offs rather than aggressive new purchases. Steady demand from dietary supplements, fortified foods and cosmetics provided a baseline, though cost-driven sentiment remained a drag. End-use demand differed by sector: nutraceutical and pharmaceutical manufacturers maintained routine production, supporting offtake even as spot orders paused; cosmetic and personal-care formulators sustained steady order flows with spring product preparations anticipated to lift buying later in the quarter. Freight savings and reliable production dominated supply dynamics, with trans-Pacific container freight easing and contributing to softer landed costs. The outlook indicates mixed oscillations into coming period as buyers normalize restocking, while inventories and origin supply cap upside.
