For the Quarter Ending June 2023
North America
Calcium powder prices in the United States showed a mixed pattern in Q2. The calcium powder prices decreased for all grades in May from the previous month by 1.18% and 1.13% for Calcium Citrate and Calcium Carbonate, respectively, due to a decrease in end-user demand coupled with adequate stocks among market vendors. In addition, destocking kept the market sentiment south side. In contrast, the prices increased by 0.90% and 2.86% in June from May due to fewer inventories coupled with strong offtakes from the end-user industries. The consumer price index (CPI), an indicator of inflation, increased by 0.2% in June compared to 0.1% in May, suggesting inflation has slowed down in June due to a hike in interest rates by US Federal Reserve. Although the inflation rate has dropped, prices are still higher, indicating the possibility of further rate hikes in the third quarter. The US manufacturing PMI (Purchasing Managers' Index) fell to 46.3 in June from 48.4 in May, indicating limited inventories at suppliers and market traders coupled with slow delivery by suppliers to meet consumer demand, which supported the upward trend in Calcium powder prices.
Asia Pacific
Calcium powder prices in China showed a mixed pattern in Q2. A decrease of 1.70% and 3.37% for calcium citrate and calcium carbonate, respectively, is noticed in the prices of Calcium powder in May, contrasted with the levels seen in April because of adequate supply in the market amid poor demand. China's PMI (Purchasing Managers' Index) stood at 48.8 in May from 49.2 in April. This indicates a contraction in the manufacturing activity as the production activity decreased due to weak demand, causing the prices to drop. On the other hand, the prices of Calcium powder increased in June by 1.30% and 2.33% from May because of a surge in demand from end users in the food and beverage, nutraceuticals, and pharmaceutical industries accompanied by fewer inventories among market participants. China's official Purchasing Managers' Index (PMI) settled at 49.0 in June, indicating a contraction in manufacturing activity. The Calcium powder market price has increased due to the fact that some manufacturers have decreased production to increase the prices.
Europe
In Germany, Calcium powder market conditions were mixed in Q2. Calcium powder prices decreased in May as compared to April and then increased again in June. The decrease in Calcium powder prices in May was due to an oversupply of Calcium powder among merchants and suppliers, as well as a decrease in end-user industries' demand. The German Manufacturing PMI (PMI) for June 2023 decreased to 43.2 from April's 44.5, indicating a decrease in buying activity as well as inquiries for new orders. The German economy was affected by rising inflation and the European Central Bank's interest rate hike in June, resulting in higher food and energy costs. This subsequently increased the cost of business activity dependent on Calcium powder. The Manufacturing PMI for June 2023 in Germany decreased to 41.0 compared to the levels observed at the beginning of the second quarter, indicating a lower level of inventories in the market to meet the demand, thus pushing the prices upwards. Market participants' focus on restocking inventories which kept the market situation on the north side.
For the Quarter Ending March 2023
North America
During the first quarter of 2023, prices for Calcium Powder USP Grade in the US domestic market rose sharply, from USD 726/MT to USD 745/MT for Calcium Carbonate and USD 3365/MT to USD 3440/MT for Calcium Citrate from January to March. Due to stable freight costs, import purchases were made at prices that were largely unchanged from the previous week, resulting in prices in the US market being the same, with a borderline movement of 0.1%. Additionally, a perfect balance between supply and demand existed in exporting nations like China at the time of purchase, keeping the price of Calcium Powder consistent. Due to continuous orders from the end-user sector, Calcium Powder prices showed a stable trend in the week ending March. Because of the equilibrium between supply and demand, the market dynamics remained unchanged.
Asia- Pacific
The price trend for Calcium Powder remained higher than expected in the Asia Pacific market throughout the first quarter of 2023. Calcium Powder prices for USP grade in China significantly increased from USD 471/MT to USD 495/MT for Calcium Carbonate and USD 2321/MT to USD 2380/MT for Calcium Citrate from January to March. Due to consistent demand from end-user industries like the food and pharmaceutical industries, the price of Calcium Powder has been rising consistently in China. Due to increased production after the Spring Festival, the price of Calcium Powder in China grew steadily throughout the entire month of March. The gradually expanding demand and persistent inquiries from end-user sectors were primarily responsible for this minor price hike.
Europe
German Calcium Powder price trend showcased an upward trajectory during the first quarter of 2023. However, the highest price quotation from China, a large importer that appears to be having trouble finding German customers, supported the quarter's pattern of rising prices. Additionally, there were not enough Calcium Powder supplies to meet the overall demand, which led to higher pricing in the domestic market. Additionally, because the consumer was purchasing out of necessity, demand from the end-user pharmaceutical and nutraceutical businesses remained greater. Since there was a shortage of fresh supplies, traders' interest grew as they predicted an improvement through the year's end. However, Calcium Powder costs increased due to a busy market and competitive product bidding.
For the Quarter Ending December 2022
North America
During the fourth quarter of 2022, prices for Calcium Powder USP Grade in the US domestic market fell sharply, from USD 850/MT to USD 750/MT for Calcium Carbonate and USD 4100/MT to USD 3580/MT for Calcium Citrate from October to December. The price of raw materials was low, the cost support of Calcium Powder weakened, and the downstream market wavered in a lower range. There were plenty of products available among domestic manufacturers to meet the demands of the end-user pharmaceutical and nutraceutical industries. According to the observations, end-user industries have had persistently poor sales, which has pointed to a major downturn in demand. However, the pricing dynamics for various commodities, including Calcium Powder, were impacted by the recovery in market dynamics in several areas. These factors had a substantial influence on the downward pricing trend of Calcium Powder.
Asia- Pacific
The price trend for Calcium Powder remained lower than expected in the Asia Pacific market throughout the fourth quarter of 2022. The prices of Calcium Powder USP grade in China significantly decreased from USD 600/MT to USD 495/MT for Calcium Carbonate and USD 3010/MT to USD 2450/MT for Calcium Citrate from October to December. In the Chinese domestic market, there was enough stock of Calcium Powder with the local suppliers, and the price was lower than the production cost. As industries were closed for the Golden Week holiday, a new round of Covid restrictions in China slowed operations at the nation's various ports. Only purchases from significant suppliers for immediate consumption were noted; the quarter's demand from downstream sectors remained subpar.
Europe
German Calcium Powder price trend showcased a downward trajectory during the fourth quarter of 2022. However, the quarter's plunging price trend was backed mainly by the lowest price quotation from the significant importing country, China which seems quite beneficial for German buyers. Moreover, inventories of Calcium Powder were sufficient to cater to the overall demand, resulting in lower prices in the domestic market. Also, demand from end-user pharmaceutical and nutraceutical industries remained sluggish as the customer was buying as a necessity. The lack of demand for fresh supplies caused traders' interest to diminish as they projected a downturn until the year's conclusion. However, weak market activity and low product bidding drove Calcium Powder prices down.
For the Quarter Ending September 2022
North America
In North America, the prices of Calcium Powder (USP Grade) declined by around 11.8% for Calcium Carbonate and 9.9% for Calcium Citrate due to unfavorable sentiments in the regional market during the third quarter of 2022. In terms of demand, there was weakened demand and offtakes from downstream pharmaceutical and nutraceutical industries. In terms of supply, there were ample inventories in the market, and suppliers met the overall order of regional and overseas buyers, which affected the Calcium Powder market. Therefore, by the end of the quarter, the prices for Calcium Carbonate and Calcium Citrate settled at USD 810/MT and USD 4150/MT in September 2022, respectively.
Asia- Pacific
During the third quarter of 2022, the Calcium Powder market exhibited sluggish market sentiments across the Asia Pacific region, with prices settling at USD 548/MT for Calcium Carbonate and USD 3220/MT for Calcium Citrate in September. The manufacturers of Calcium Powder in the Chinese market had high inventory, so the market stock was abundant. Also, the production cost for the pharmaceutical grade continued to deteriorate throughout the quarter, prompting producers to keep the prices lower. Both the poor offtakes and bleak demand for Calcium Powder from downstream pharmaceutical industries resulted in a downward trend.
Europe
The price movement of Calcium Powder scaled down in the European market during the third quarter of 2022. The decline was due to sufficient inventory in the german domestic market. Also, the European demand decreased significantly post-inflation because product offtakes remained less from the regional market by the end-user pharmaceutical producers, who were cautious before making any purchase. The companies reduced their profit margins to increase the trade of goods in the market, which further levied its impact on the offers for the pharma and industrial grade in the European market. Also, depreciated currency values further reflected the prices negatively.
For the Quarter Ending June 2022
North America
In the North American region, the Calcium Powder market demonstrated a static price trajectory during the second quarter of 2022. Domestic traders and buyers were concerned about high raw material prices throughout the quarter due to high inflation, the problematic political situation between Russia and Ukraine, and the very unpredictable nature of oil prices. Long-lasting port and supply constraints persisted during the whole quarter in the US market. Offtakes from the downstream industries, such as pharmaceutical and nutraceutical, were constant in demand.
Asia
The Asia Pacific Calcium Powder market displayed stagnant sentiments in the second quarter of 2022. After the ports and factories began operations in the first part of the quarter, calcium powder production in China surged. After a subsequent rise in COVID-19 cases in the final week of April, the Chinese government once more put important production facilities on lockdown, which impacted the country's nutraceutical markets. On the demand front, offtakes from the end-user industries remained steady during the quarter. The country's Zero-COVID policy caused several cargo ships to become stuck at ports, thus hindering the shipment of the goods to other markets. Later, in the second half of the quarter, a number of plants went under maintenance, contributing to the market decline for calcium powder in China. In order to get rid of stockpiles before they degraded due to the high COVID customs, numerous factories were prepared to offer the goods at a discount toward the end of the quarter.
Europe
Calcium Powder prices in Europe followed the same pattern as in North America in Q1 2022, as demand from downstream sectors remained robust throughout the quarter. Calcium Powder has become a must for consumers, particularly in developed markets such as the European region, particularly in the pharmaceutical and nutraceutical industries, resulting in increased demand in the region. Throughout the quarter, the market was exacerbated by rising raw material and freight costs and long-term supply chain problems.
For the Quarter Ending March 2022
North America
Calcium Powder's domestic market remained stagnant in the first quarter of 2022, but demand and sentiments increased, drawing attention. During the first half of Q1 2022, the US markets remained demand-driven, and supply-chain limited, with signs of improving labor resources and supplier delivery performance. A large increase in demand for Calcium Powder from end-user businesses, on the other hand, resulted in a price increase across the country. In the month of March, calcium carbonate prices for USP and food grade were fixed at USD9340/mt and USD865/mt, respectively. Increased raw material, energy, transportation, services, and logistics costs in China aided this pricing adjustment in the country.
Asia Pacific
The price trend of Calcium Powder increased little in the Asia Pacific region during Q1 2022, when market attitudes improved following the Lunar New Year slump. Due to sustained demand from downstream sectors and a growth in Omicron variant cases in the country, calcium powder consumption in the domestic market remained strong. The market trend in China has been bolstered by rising raw material and energy costs. The introduction of the zero-tolerance covid policy, on the other hand, has had a severe impact on the supply chain of various commodities across the country, including Calcium Carbonate and Calcium Citrate. Calcium Citrate for USP and Food grade was valued at USD2280/mt and USD4300/mt, respectively, in the negotiations. On the same day, pricing for USP and Food grade calcium carbonate were fixed at USD9835/mt and USD680/mt, respectively. The markets rose sharply after operations resumed on February 27 and stayed stable through the end of March.
Europe
Calcium Powder prices in Europe followed the same pattern as in North America in Q1 2022, as demand from downstream sectors remained robust throughout the quarter. Calcium Powder has essentially become a must for consumers, particularly in developed markets such as the European region, particularly in the pharmaceutical and nutraceutical industries, resulting in increased demand in the region. Throughout the quarter, the market was exacerbated by rising raw material and freight costs, as well as long-term supply chain problems.
In the Asian market, the pricing trend of Calcium Powder demonstrated an upward trajectory during the fourth quarter of 2021 followed by the stable demand from the downstream sectors. In the Chinese domestic market, the cost support from the upstream Citric Acid consistently weakened during the first week of Q4 which resulted in the plunged offers of Calcium Citrate across China. The FOB Shanghai discussions for Calcium Citrate were assessed at USD 4340/ MT and USD 2150/MT for the USP and Food grades respectively in the fourth week of November. Whereas discussions for the Calcium Carbonate settled at USD 9604 per tonne and USD 440 per tonne for the USP and Food grades respectively, during the week ending 26th November, taking cues from the high feedstock values. Due to the increase in the production costs, several Calcium manufacturing companies further increased the market prices and passed on the pressure on to the buyers including Yiyang Zhenbang which rose the prices for all its calcium products in October starting. Meanwhile, in India, slow improvements were observed for Calcium Citrate during the first half of this quarter. In terms of demand, strong offtakes from the downstream industries were observed throughout Q4 on the back of the skyrocketed freight charges along various Asian trade routes.
The market sentiments improved in the European market during the 4th quarter of 2021 on the back of the increased demand from downstream pharma grade industry. However, the supply outlook of several Nutraceutical products including Calcium Powder remained disrupted due to the energy crises across Europe. The skyrocketed raw material prices and high freight charges has further supported the market trend throughout the fourth quarter.
