For the Quarter Ending March 2025
North America
The North American export market for Benzoic Acid Exp. remained under notable pressure through the first quarter of 2025, as suppliers faced restrained demand conditions and cautious buying behaviour. The opening month of the year saw procurement activities slow significantly, with downstream industries holding ample stock levels after prior inventory replenishments.
Buying interest remained thin as customers deferred fresh orders in anticipation of softer market conditions. Suppliers encountered difficulties in concluding new export deals, and to maintain offtake, they adopted flexible commercial strategies. The prevailing sentiment in February was similarly weak, as buyers remained hesitant to secure material beyond immediate requirements. Despite steady availability from producers, market momentum was hampered by minimal inquiries from international markets and a sluggish pace of procurement.
It was only towards March that the market began showing tentative signs of stabilization, supported by limited restocking from select segments. Suppliers observed marginal improvements in trade volumes as buyers returned to replenish inventories at low operating costs. However, overall sentiment continued to lean cautious, with downstream sectors proceeding conservatively amidst ongoing uncertainty regarding future consumption trends and order cycles.
Asia Pacific
The Asia Pacific export market for Benzoic Acid Exp. displayed progressive strength throughout the first quarter of 2025, with steady improvements in trade activity and a gradual firming of market sentiment. January commenced with moderate procurement from overseas buyers as most trading firms exercised restraint ahead of routine seasonal slowdowns and awaited operational restarts in various downstream sectors.
Product availability in the region remained balanced, while suppliers maintained consistent production rates to meet existing contractual obligations. Moving into February, market conditions improved as international inquiries increased following the resumption of operations in key consumer markets. This led to healthier offtake volumes and enhanced supplier confidence. The region’s producers effectively secured incremental demand from both pharmaceutical and food preservation industries, contributing to a well-supported export performance.
By March, demand momentum had further strengthened, with a steady stream of orders from overseas buyers coupled with relatively tighter product availability. Market players capitalized on this firmer environment, supported by an increase in procurement from international markets and sustained downstream consumption. As a result, overall market conditions in the region closed the quarter on a firm and positive note.
Europe
The European Benzoic Acid Exp. import market experienced persistent weakness over the course of the first quarter of 2025, weighed down by subdued demand and an oversupplied landscape. The year began with limited purchasing activity from downstream industries, particularly in pharmaceutical and food-related applications, as procurement specialists maintained conservative inventory strategies amid uncertain short-term consumption forecasts.
The situation deteriorated further in February, with market conditions remaining notably sluggish. Buyers avoided substantial purchases, preferring to operate with minimal inventories while evaluating the prevailing market softness. Suppliers, in turn, faced mounting pressure to sustain order flow and resorted to highly competitive commercial positioning. Despite such efforts, offtake volumes stayed lacklustre as excessive availability of competitively priced export cargoes left buyers with multiple sourcing options.
By March, market dynamics remained largely unchanged, with persistent weak demand and limited procurement interest continuing to define trading sentiment. Market participants reported that even opportunistic buying remained scarce, as end-use industries displayed restrained production schedules. Consequently, the region’s market concluded the quarter in a prolonged state of stagnation, with little optimism for near-term improvement.
For the Quarter Ending December 2024
North America
The U.S. Benzoic Acid Excipients market in Q4 2024 saw a continuous rise in import prices driven by multiple factors throughout the quarter with a modest drop witnessed in November 2024. The winter season boosted demand in the food, beverage, and nutraceutical sectors, contributing to price increases. Rising shipping costs, especially from Asian suppliers, escalating fuel prices, and supply chain disruptions, including port challenges in New York, compounded the cost pressures. Strikes by the International Longshore and Warehouse Union (ILWU) and limited domestic production capacity further exacerbated delays and costs. Stockpiling by businesses anticipating stronger demand and increased export activity also fueled price escalation.
In November 2024, the market saw a decline in import prices due to easing raw material costs, particularly toluene, and a reduction in production expenses. Improved global trade conditions, increased availability from major producers, and a stronger U.S. dollar also helped stabilize prices. Lower freight costs due to logistical improvements further contributed to the price reduction.
However, U.S. Benzoic Acid prices reversed on the positive side yet again in December 2024. The market's heavy reliance on imports highlighted a structural vulnerability in the U.S. supply chain. In the absence of increased domestic production capacity or diversification of import sources, prices remained elevated as suppliers maintained a strong negotiating position and benefited in terms of higher profit margins. As a result, the persistence of these challenges indicated that the price increases were not merely a temporary fluctuation but rather a fundamental shift in the market's equilibrium with prices settling at USD 1675/MT USP CFR Houston.
Asia Pacific
The Benzoic Acid excipient market in China during the fourth quarter of 2024 demonstrated fluctuating dynamics. October saw a significant price increase driven by logistical disruptions, including a major typhoon that caused extended shipping delays, which elevated freight costs and constrained material movement. This, coupled with the post-holiday surge in demand from the pharmaceutical and food sectors, further strained supply, leading to reduced inventory levels. The economic landscape, marked by the depreciation of the yuan against the dollar, also contributed to rising import costs while enhancing sales margins for traders. In November, however, the market experienced a downturn in export prices, primarily due to declining demand from key sectors like pharmaceuticals and personal care. This slowdown was compounded by a drop in toluene feedstock prices, which reduced production costs and pressured suppliers to lower prices to stay competitive. The NBS Manufacturing PMI showed slight improvement, but broader economic conditions, including a slowdown in exports and imports, weakened trade sentiment. However, by December, the market reversed its trajectory, with export prices increasing as demand surged from Western countries post-holidays, and logistical conditions improved. Suppliers capitalized on this uptick, adjusting pricing norms, indicating a strategic shift towards asserting greater control in the Benzoic Acid market from China with prices settled at USD 1290/MT USP FOB Shanghai.
Europe
Germany experienced an overall rise in Benzoic acid export prices during the fourth quarter of 2024, with a brief decline in November. In October, prices were driven upward by higher raw material costs and logistical challenges. Increased freight charges from major exporters like China and India pushed landed costs higher, while rising energy costs in Europe and stricter regulatory compliance limited lower-cost imports, favoring pricier quality-compliant options. The weakening euro further intensified procurement challenges, raising import costs. By November, prices began to ease as supply chain conditions improved. Supply constraints from key producing regions lessened, and reduced freight costs, along with lower raw material prices, allowed suppliers to offer more competitive pricing. A decrease in anticipated demand from sectors such as food preservatives and pharmaceuticals contributed to price reductions, supported by stable currency exchange rates. However, December saw renewed price pressure due to disruptions in the Asia-Pacific export market and continued logistical issues, including blank sailings. The pharmaceutical sector's stronger purchasing sentiment and strategic stockpiling in neighboring EU markets helped sustain higher prices. The depreciating euro allowed suppliers to capitalize on elevated prices, leading to a supplier's market and ending the quarter with prices at USD 1535/MT USP CFR Hamburg.
For the Quarter Ending September 2024
North America
The North American Benzoic Acid Excipient market experienced a notable price decline in quarter 3 of 2024, characterized by abundant supply and weakened local demand, particularly in pharmaceutical and preservative sectors. Several factors intensified this downward trend, including market oversupply, economic deceleration, rising competition from cheaper alternatives, and currency volatility.
Market dynamics prompted suppliers to adapt their strategies, resulting in reduced lead times. However, this failed to stimulate buying interest among regional purchasers. The U.S. market exhibited the most significant price volatility, recording a 10% decline between the first and second halves of the quarter.
The US market maintained an extremely bearish outlook throughout the period, with prices dropping from $1,860/MT to $1,670/MT CFR Houston from July to September 2024. This substantial decrease reflected the persistent negative sentiment and challenging market conditions that dominated the quarter. The combination of these factors created a sustained downward pressure on prices, highlighting the market's ongoing struggles with supply-demand imbalances in the regional market.
APAC
During Q3 2024, the APAC Benzoic Acid Exp market faced significant price deterioration, primarily influenced by excess supply conditions and subdued demand patterns. In China, prior months' heightened production activities resulted in substantial inventory buildup, creating a notable supply-demand disparity. The market dynamics were further strained by decreased consumption in downstream industries amid challenging economic conditions.
Chinese manufacturers resorted to competitive pricing strategies to manage surplus inventory, leading to reduced export prices across global markets. China basically emerged as a focal point of market volatility, recording a substantial 16% price decline between the first and second halves of the quarter. The market also confronted operational challenges due to facility shutdowns, which impacted regular supply patterns and hampered the trade activity.
The Chinese market maintained a consistently bearish trend, with Benzoic Acid USP FOB Shanghai prices falling from USD 1505/MT to USD 1270/MT From July to September. This significant price erosion highlighted the quarter's challenging market conditions, characterized by persistent oversupply, diminished demand, and aggressive price competition.
Europe
Throughout Q3 2024, the European region witnessed a period of declining prices for Benzoic Acid Exp, with Germany experiencing the most significant price changes. Various factors contributed to this downward trend, including decreased production costs driven by lower energy expenses and falling feedstock prices like Toluene. The market also faced subdued demand in key sectors such as food preservatives and pharmaceuticals, leading to oversupply challenges. To mitigate storage costs and inventory risks, enterprises in Germany began offloading their Benzoic Acid Exp stocks, intensifying the supply glut. The overall market sentiment leaned towards the negative, with trading remaining muted and prices decreasing by 13% from the first half to the second half of the quarter. Noteworthy disruptions and plant shutdowns further impacted the market dynamics, underscoring the challenging environment for Benzoic Acid Exp pricing in Europe.
In Germany specifically, the quarter ended with a price of USD 1530/MT for Benzoic Acid USP CFR Hamburg, reflecting the overall decreasing trend observed throughout Q3 2024.
For the Quarter Ending June 2024
North America
In Q2 2024, the Benzoic Acid Excipient market in North America experienced a noteworthy increase in prices with a steady drop witnessed in the beginning. In the USA particularly, the pricing environment was prominently marked by an upward trajectory. Seasonality played a minimal role, with the core drivers being sustained demand and constrained supply.
The quarter saw rising industrial activity and a significant resurgence in economic dynamics, driving robust demand for Benzoic Acid across diverse sectors such as preservatives, pharmaceuticals, and cosmetics. This demand surge was exacerbated by supply chain disruptions, notably plant shutdowns and logistical challenges, leading to reduced inventory levels. A pivotal factor was the persistent escalation in global energy costs, which directly impacted production expenses, compounded by surging fuel prices and higher operational costs for shipping carriers. These conditions strained supply chains, elevating import costs and creating a challenging environment for domestic market players. The correlation between the heightened industrial activity and rising prices was evident, reflecting a strong positive sentiment throughout the quarter.
However, prices of Benzoic acid excipient dropped steadily, echoing a parallel downturn seen in Chinese provinces depicting a significant exporter to the USA at the beginning of the quarter. On the supply side, the inventories for Benzoic Acid Excipient in the regional US market remain sufficient coupled with a steady drop in regional quotations arriving from downstream preservative sectors. This surplus was further compounded by the appreciation of the US Dollar, bolstering the downward trend in Benzoic Acid Excipient prices during the entire month of April 2024. As a result, the latest quarter-ending price was recorded at USD 1800/MT for Benzoic Acid USP CFR Houston. Overall, the quarter's pricing environment was decidedly positive, underpinned by strong demand, supply constraints, and escalating global energy costs.
APAC
In Q2 2024, the Benzoic Acid Excipient (Exp) market across the APAC region, particularly in the Chinese market exhibited a consistently positive pricing trend, driven by higher downstream purchasing, currency fluctuations, rising cost of transportation, etc. The quarter saw notable price increases due to persistent inquiries arriving from downstream industries, such as pharmaceuticals and food preservatives. Supporting this, escalating freight costs and higher crude oil prices also put upward pressure on production and transportation expenses, further driving up Benzoic Acid Exp prices. In China, where price changes were most pronounced, the market experienced significant upward movement. The post-Lunar New Year period saw a resurgence in production, but inventories remained tight due to persistent high demand and logistical issues. Manufacturers expanded their production capabilities, though at higher costs due to elevated feedstock and energy prices. Seasonal demand, driven by increased use of preservatives in food and beverages during summer, also contributed to the rise. Additionally, severe heatwaves also exacerbated the situation by increasing power consumption and operational costs for manufacturers. Overall, on average, the prices surged by 1.04% with a steady drop in the initiation i.e., April 2024. Hence, by the end of the quarter, prices reached USD 1500/MT for Benzoic Acid USP FOB Shanghai, reflecting strong market demand and constrained supply.
Europe
Moving on to other importing regions, such as the European market, particularly Germany, the second quarter of 2024 saw a steady increase in prices due to several key factors. Rising import costs from major producing countries, a rebound in regional demand—particularly in the preservative sector—and restricted product availability due to ongoing logistical issues contributed to this trend. Concerning the overall demand side, strong demand from downstream industries and deliberate price hikes by domestic suppliers, who aimed to benefit from previously accumulated inventories, contributed to a positive market outlook. Increased production costs, driven by higher global transportation expenses, further supported the upward pricing trend. Furthermore, geopolitical tensions and conflicts disrupted major shipping routes, causing delays and increased operational costs, especially affecting routes through Africa’s Cape of Good Hope and the Red Sea. Additionally, port congestion in Asia and container shortages worsened the situation, leading to higher freight costs. Additionally, with the rising incidence of product deterioration and changing climatic conditions, the demand concerning the various excipients surges, hence supporting an overall price rise for Benzoic Acid excipients. Overall, Benzoic Acid excipient prices increased by 1.56%, continuing a consistent upward trajectory throughout the quarter with a modest drop witnessed in the beginning following the trend of China considerably. While this decrease in the prices and trend was successfully balanced by the supply-demand side, Tith traders actively met the overall inquiries arriving from the end-users. Overall, by the end of Q2 2024, i.e., in June 2024, the imported price of Benzoic Acid USP CFR Hamburg in Germany reached USD 1700/MT.
