Vitamin B4 prices in the U.S. are set to rise further in June, driven by soaring transpacific freight rates, early peak season demand, and aggressive pre-buying ahead of a potential tariff reinstatement in August. Importers are fast-tracking shipments amid port congestion and vessel shortages, while downstream demand remains strong across supplements and nutrition sectors. These pressures are tightening supply and fueling expectations of continued price hikes into July.
The U.S. market for Vitamin B4 is bracing for continued price escalation through June, with a combination of transpacific shipping rates rising further, ahead-of-normal peak season shipping, and tactical pre-buying in expectation of an impending tariff renewal that continues to congest supply fundamentals.
After the precipitous surge in Vitamin B4 prices in May, following the lifting of 90-day tariffs on Chinese imports precipitated a stampede into forward contracts, momentum has spilled over into June. The short-term tariff relief that holds until August 14 has created a domino effect among importers to advance orders prior to duties potentially resuming. Vitamin B4, primarily imported from China, has been heavily impacted by this accelerated buying cycle.
The picture was further obscured in early June by a steep surge in shipping prices. Through June 1, transpacific container rates to the U.S. West Coast doubled when top ocean carriers authorized General Rate Increases (GRIs). Those higher rates, fueled by peak season highs in volumes, have driven logistics expense through the roof for Vitamin B4 shipments, boosting landed costs.
Carriers also reported increased GRIs during mid-June and July 1, which shows freight expense will keep going on its rising trend this summer. Pre-season demand is responsible for most of this increase, as shippers are working to move product prior to the tariff decrease expiration. Shipping volume has skyrocketed, and freight bookings were up over 300% for a week during May, according to industry sources.
Meanwhile, Chinese ports are still clearing backlogs caused by an April-May lull in export activity, resulting in equipment shortages and vessel delays. Compounding the issue, some transpacific ships that were temporarily reassigned to other trade lanes during the slowdown have yet to return to regular service. This misalignment is constraining available capacity at a time when Vitamin B4 demand is peaking.
American ports like Los Angeles and New York are also feeling the mounting congestion with rising container turns causing delays. Such shipping hassles have made it progressively more challenging to deliver Vitamin B4 in a timely manner, particularly because buyers want to replenish stockpiles.
On the consumption side, downstream distributors and consumers continue to buy Vitamin B4 in bulk. Core end-use markets-especially dietary supplements, fortified foods, and clinical nutrition-are showing solid gains, driving Vitamin B4 demand higher and constricting tight supply. May's modest 0.1% increase in U.S. inflation has offered a relatively calm economic environment, prompting firms to stock up on Vitamin B4 prior to expected cost hikes.
With these converging elements, market players project Vitamin B4 prices to continue rising during June, and with good possibilities of additional hikes in July as shipping prices rise and the expiration of the tariff break approaches. A blend of contracted logistics, active restocking, and trade policy insecurity is going to keep things tight in the market, prompting the majority of buyers to bring Vitamin B4 buying strategies forward in an attempt not to be short or to experience cost inflation during the back half of the year.
