For the Quarter Ending June 2023
North America
In The North American Region, the Beta Naphthol market trend showed an upward trend in the first month of the second quarter of 2023, followed by a steady decline in the remaining months. Demand for the product continued to increase in April, and prices rose. A short-term spot supply shortage continued to be the decisive factor in the price increase. However, at the beginning of the following month, local market prices began to fall. In May, the price of beta-naphthol fell in North American markets. Price declines were impacted by lower costs of raw materials for caustic soda, sulfuric acid, and naphthalene, which contributed to lower production costs for beta-naphthol in the domestic market. Although demand from the food, preservatives, and textile industries is modest, beta-naphthol's low-cost availability plays an important role in reducing overall costs. In addition, cheaper imports and lower commodity prices pushed beta-naphthol prices down in June. Demand from the food and beverage and textile industries was generally modest, but the low availability of raw materials drove prices down significantly.
APAC
The Beta Naphthol Market trend went upwards in the first month of Q2 2023 in the Asia-Pacific region and then fell consistently for the rest of the quarters. In April, the demand for the product kept increasing leading to a rise in its prices. A short-term shortage in spot availability remained the key factor behind this rise in prices. However, prices have started to decline in the regional markets by the start of the next month. In May, the cost of Beta Naphthol went down in the Asian market. This was mainly because Beta Naphthol imports from China were accessible at a lesser cost. Additionally, the price decrease was also influenced by lower costs of the raw material, Caustic Soda, Sulfuric Acid, and Naphthalene, which managed to lower the manufacturing cost of Beta Naphthol in the domestic market. Although there was moderate demand from the food, preservatives, and textile industries, the availability of Beta Naphthol at a lower price played a significant role in reducing its overall cost. Furthermore, the price of Beta Naphthol declined in June because of low-priced imports and declining feedstock prices. Altogether, though the demand from the food and beverages and textiles industries was moderate, the low-cost availability of the raw material resulted in a significant price decrease.
Europe
In Europe Beta Naphthol market trend showed an increase in the first month followed by a steady decrease in the subsequent months during quarter 2 of 2023. In April, the demand for the product increased further and prices increased. Short-term spot supply shortages continued to be the determining factor behind the price increase. Later in the quarter, local market prices started to decrease. In May, the price decreased in the European markets. Cheaper imports and decreased feedstock prices contributed to the decrease in prices. In June, the price decreased further due to decreased costs of caustic soda and sulfuric acid, as well as naphthalene. Lower production costs in the domestic market contribute to the decrease in overall costs. The demand from the food and beverages and textile industries was moderate. However, the low-cost availability of the product played a significant role in the overall cost reduction. While the demand from the textile industry was modest, the low availability of raw materials significantly reduced the overall costs of the product.
For the Quarter Ending March 2023
North America
During Q1 2023, the North American market struggled due to prolonged dullness in market activities amidst escalating inflation. Beta Naphthol market remained fluctuating throughout the quarter, where regular price revisions were observed owing to changing market supplies amidst slowly improving demand on the arrival of the summer season. Furthermore, under the influence of the persistent winter season in the country during early Q1 2023, the demand for Beta Naphthol was low from the insecticide market. However, demand for the product from the downstream insecticides market maintained overall stability during the second half of the quarter, and traders were optimistic about the future demand for the product as the summer season was arriving slowly.
Asia
The Asian market showcased bullish sentiments during the second half of Q1 2023, owing to an improvement in demand from the downstream industries. In March 2023, the price of a product in India increased by 10.4% due to the seasonal demand surge in downstream industries, which is typical during the summer season. The market situation is currently bullish, and the supply of the product is moderate, with uninterrupted production activities. The upward trend in prices was partly influenced by expensive imports. The demand for the product is moderate to high, with key players and traders securing cargo for future months. This positive market sentiment is expected to result in further upward trends in prices in the upcoming month.
Europe
The European market has been battling with high inflation and slow economic activities, which was dragging major economies like the UK close to recession. At the same time, demand for Beta Naphthol remained low to moderate throughout the quarter, and multiple price revisions were observed, primarily driven by other factors like imports and falling freight charges at major trade routes. However, the ongoing winter season was the prime factor behind low demand from the domestic insecticides market, which later started putting an optimistic outlook in the market during the end of the quarter. Further, demand for insecticides from the domestic agriculture sector remained low owing to the seasonal lull.
For the Quarter Ending December 2022
North America
As per the data, Beta Naphthol witnessed a falling price trend throughout the fourth quarter of 2022, owing to easing feedstock prices amidst moderate demand fundamentals from the domestic downstream sectors. Demand for the product from the downstream market remained moderate to low, varying with the performance of different industries. The feedstock Caustic Soda prices showcased a marginal rise during October but could not affect the prices of Beta Naphthol in the US market. However, during the rest of the quarter, Caustic Soda as well as Naphthalene, both feedstock prices, sustained a downtrend and supported the downward price momentum for Beta Naphthol in the USA.
Asia
Ongoing disturbances in exporting nations and cheaper imports led to a steep and consistent fall in prices of Beta Naphthol during Q4 2022 in the Asian market. Falling raw material Naphthalene has also affected the price trend in the Chinese market, upsetting the pricing dynamics of foremost importing nations like India. Supplies of the product remained stable throughout this timeframe while rising uncertainties in the Chinese market compelled traders to destock their inventories. Thus, traders heard about offering discounts on spot purchases in order to induce offtakes by niche buyers. Furthermore, under the influence of the global economic slowdown, Beta Naphthol prices have negatively revised for the overseas market.
Europe
European markets were concerned with the uncertain market outlook for energy prices which was the major driving factor in skyrocketing commodities’ prices last year in the region. However, during this quarter, the smooth flow of natural gas and ample product availability did not let the price of Beta Naphthol rise in the market. Furthermore, prolonged inflationary pressure has already dampened the economic growth of the region, and Europe is nearing the edge of recession. Consequently, demand fundamentals were observed to be dull throughout the quarter for Beta Naphthol, which led to a consistent fall in its prices.
