Late March activity in the U.S. Vitamin B9 market showed modest firmness as FOB New Jersey prices rose about 0.72% on a neutral-to-firm month-end. Early momentum was supported by fortification requirements and advances in micro-encapsulation technology, sustaining demand from mills and bakers; mid-month e-commerce orders provided steady secondary support. Elevated energy costs and higher risk premiums increased landed-cost considerations, yet uninterrupted raw-material arrivals and ample inventories kept supply steady and allowed suppliers to maintain firmer offers without triggering disruptions. Overall, March traced a measured advance rather than a spike, with balanced flows limiting volatility. Demand was mixed across end-use sectors, though the food/fortification segment remained the backbone due to mandatory folic-acid enrichment across flour and cereal categories, with domestic output and imports balancing the supply. Supplements and retail channels delivered moderate, steady demand, while substitution toward L-5-methyltetrahydrofolate moderated upside. Looking ahead, analysts expect stability with energy and logistics dynamics keeping gains gradual rather than pronounced.
