For the Quarter Ending March 2025
North America
In Q1 2025, the Calcium propionate market in North America displayed notable price fluctuations, driven primarily by domestic demand, logistical challenges, and supply constraints. In early January, with a slight 0.40% weekly decrease attributed to abundant inventories and a lull in trade post-holiday season. However, by mid-January, reflecting a 1.61% week-on-week increase, spurred by the return of full-scale production and rising customer demand. The market then stabilized as exporters maintained competitive pricing for international sales.
Throughout February, prices continued to climb, till the end of the month. The increase was driven by higher production costs, including raw materials and energy, alongside strong demand from the pharmaceutical and food sectors. The supply side faced logistical difficulties with freight rates remaining high, though imports began to recover after some port congestion eased. By the end of March, prices remained firm at $1280/MT, despite a slight correction due to improved supply flows. Supply chain issues persisted, but demand from key sectors remained strong, pushing prices upward.
Overall, Q1 2025 saw a consistent upward trend in Calcium propionate prices in North America. Strong domestic demand, combined with supply-side constraints from elevated freight costs and production challenges, supported the market's stability. While a brief price dip occurred in late March, the market ended the quarter with prices holding steady, signaling ongoing pressure from logistics and production costs. The quarter closed with prices at $1260/MT CFR New York, reflecting market resilience amid continued inflationary pressures and logistical challenges.
Asia Pacific
In Asia, particularly China, the Calcium Propionate market demonstrated a firm upward trajectory throughout Q1 2025.This quarterly increase was driven by a combination of strong domestic demand, constrained supply, and supportive upstream costs, especially from Propionic Acid.
January opened with steady price gains as downstream industries resumed operations after the holiday season, leading to a surge in procurement. Producers responded to this revival with adjusted output to balance inventory levels. Export activity remained competitive, supported by firm international interest. As the quarter progressed, February witnessed moderate price gains despite the Lunar New Year-induced production slowdown. Post-holiday, manufacturing activity picked up quickly, with heightened inquiries from pharmaceutical and food sectors stabilizing the upward trend.
By March, market tightness intensified due to seasonal demand from food manufacturers and increasing feedstock prices. Supply shortages, logistical disruptions, and elevated freight costs led to aggressive procurement behavior. Prices surged notably in the final weeks, with buyers stockpiling inventory amid rising transaction values and ongoing market volatility. Given current fundamentals, the outlook remains firm for early Q2.
Europe
In the first quarter of 2025, the Calcium Propionate market in Germany saw steady price increases, underpinned by a combination of logistical challenges, rising production costs, and sustained demand from key sectors like pharmaceuticals, food, and supplements. January started with a modest decline in prices, reaching $1,220/MT CFR Hamburg by mid-month, driven by ample inventories and well-managed distribution networks. However, as the Lunar New Year celebrations brought a temporary halt to Chinese production, the market tightened, pushing prices to $1,240/MT by January 31. The stability in prices during this period was supported by the robust stock levels maintained by German importers, allowing them to avoid disruptions despite the Chinese production slowdown.
By February, prices continued their upward trend, with slight weekly increases driven by sustained demand across European markets. Prices rose by the end of the month, supported by higher production costs and steady purchasing activity. The increase was also influenced by logistical challenges, particularly the elevated freight rates and the post-holiday recovery in production. The German market remained resilient, with demand from food and pharmaceutical sectors remaining consistent, further driving price momentum.
March saw further tightening of the market till the end of the month. The rise was a result of ongoing supply constraints, particularly due to limited imports from China and logistical bottlenecks. Active restocking by German buyers and steady demand from downstream industries contributed to price strength, despite the logistical challenges that continued to affect the market.
Overall, the first quarter of 2025 saw the German Calcium Propionate market maintaining a firm upward trend. Despite some fluctuations, the market ended the quarter on a high note, with sustained demand and supply-side constraints continuing to exert upward pressure on prices. The combination of external factors, such as post-holiday production adjustments and persistent logistical challenges, set the tone for the market's continued price strength in the near term.
For the Quarter Ending December 2024
North America
The U.S. Calcium Propionate market in Q4 2024 exhibited a volatile yet predominantly upward pricing trend, driven by strong demand and persistent supply constraints. October opened with sharp price hikes due to robust domestic and export demand, coupled with inventory shortages exacerbated by China’s Golden Week holiday. Rising production and freight costs, along with a weaker U.S. dollar, added upward pressure. Mid-October saw a brief price dip from oversupply and buyer hesitation, but the market rebounded sharply by late October as inventories tightened and demand strengthened.
November sustained an upward trajectory, with prices rising consistently. The increase was fueled by restocking activities ahead of festive demand, constrained inventories, and escalating production costs due to higher Propionic Acid prices. Supply chain challenges, including shipping delays and tariffs, intensified market volatility.
In December, prices fluctuated but ultimately trended higher, propelled by rising Chinese export prices and strategic stock adjustments. Robust demand in nutritional applications and pre-tariff purchases further supported the increases. Despite port congestion and logistical inefficiencies, the market remained resilient. Overall, Q4 2024 reflected a dynamic and bullish market, emphasizing the need for strategic sourcing and inventory management.
Asia Pacific
The Calcium Propionate market in Q4 2024 showed an overall upward trend followed by brief fluctuations in prices due to global supply-demand dynamics and external factors. Early October saw stable conditions, with a temporary boost in pricing from increased demand due to the Golden Week holiday in China. Despite ongoing oversupply and weak consumer sentiment, prices began rising in the second week of October, driven by high international quotations and growing production costs, particularly from propionic acid and crude oil.
However, by mid-October, market conditions cooled, with price drops as demand from downstream sectors weakened. As November progressed, the market rebounded, with a steady rise in prices due to stronger export activity and increasing demand from food preservative sectors. However, oversupply continued to exert downward pressure by the month's end.
By December, aggressive destocking and declining feedstock prices led to price volatility, despite some price increases due to tightened supply conditions. The month ended with prices settling lower after a peak mid-December, reflecting both strong demand and strategic inventory adjustments. The market saw price fluctuations amid adjustments, but the overall trend indicated moderate bullishness.
Europe
The German Calcium Propionate Market in Q4 2024 witnessed mixed trends, characterized by early gains followed by price corrections, ending the quarter on a subdued note. The quarter began with notable price hikes as demand surged amid supply chain disruptions, particularly from Asia. Buyers stockpiled inventories ahead of China's Golden Week, while rising import costs and currency fluctuations further fueled prices. By mid-October, prices climbed to $1,190/MT CFR Hamburg due to tightening stock levels and robust downstream demand.
However, as November progressed, market conditions shifted. Soft demand, oversupply from prior stockpiling, and lower logistics costs pushed prices down. By late November, prices briefly rose to $1,220/MT, driven by global supply tightness and increased procurement activity. Yet, December brought renewed price weakness, with a 1.23% decline to $1,205/MT CFR Hamburg. This reflected subdued demand, pre-holiday slowdowns, and cautious purchasing behavior across the Eurozone.
Overall, Q4 exhibited volatility, starting strong but ending with bearish sentiment. Persistent supply chain challenges and fluctuating demand dynamics underscored the market's susceptibility to global economic and logistical factors.
For the Quarter Ending September 2024
North America
In the third quarter of 2024, the Calcium Propionate market in the USA experienced notable fluctuations in pricing, reflecting a complex interplay of global supply and demand dynamics. At the beginning of July, prices decreased, driven by lower production costs in major exporting countries, which intensified competition and prompted U.S. buyers to delay new purchases. This exacerbated supply-demand imbalances, leading to excess supply as companies liquidated stockpiles to mitigate storage costs. However, by mid-July, prices saw a modest increase, influenced by rising freight costs and supply chain disruptions that heightened transportation expenses. The third week of July marked further price hikes, driven by limited inventories and ongoing supply chain challenges. By late July, prices reflected increased market activity and optimism despite production slowdowns.
As August commenced, prices surged, propelled by increased downstream procurement activities and heightened demand. However, by mid-August, prices dipped slightly due to a supply-side outpacing of demand and increased pricing competition among traders. The downward trend continued into late August, driven by excess supply from inventory liquidations. Nevertheless, at the end of August, a significant increase occurred as demand surged ahead of upcoming festivals and concerns over rising raw material costs.
The market's momentum carried into September, with prices rising in the first week, fueled by tight supply from key exporters and escalating costs due to geopolitical tensions and a depreciating U.S. dollar against the Chinese yuan. Mid-September saw a substantial jump as low inventories and pre-festival purchasing heightened market activity. By the third week of September, prices climbed further, driven by continued demand amid ongoing supply disruptions and maintenance shutdowns at production facilities. Finally, at the end of September, prices reached a new high recorded at USD 1180/MT with an average quarterly inclination of 2.56%, marking an increase as supply constraints, geopolitical unrest, and heightened transportation costs maintained upward pressure on the market. Overall, the third quarter reflected significant volatility, with pricing movements largely influenced by supply chain dynamics, global market conditions, and geopolitical factors impacting both domestic and export activities.
Asia Pacific
In the third quarter of 2024, the Calcium propionate market in China experienced fluctuating pricing trends marked by a combination of supply and demand dynamics. Beginning in July, prices initially decreased due to a complex interplay of economic and geopolitical factors, at the start of the month. This decline was influenced by the depreciation of the Chinese yuan, increased domestic supply, and reduced global competitiveness, coupled with ongoing geopolitical tensions that disrupted trade flows and raised freight costs.
However, as the quarter progressed, the market exhibited signs of recovery, with prices rising steadily by late July and further increasing by early August. This upward movement was driven by heightened market activity, bulk procurement, and stable production costs due to consistent pricing of primary components. Despite an initial dip in demand due to cautious consumer sentiment and a contracting manufacturing sector, optimism returned as downstream demand began to pick up, leading to increased inquiries and trading activity. However, by mid-August, prices saw a slight decrease again due to subdued demand and expectations for economic stimulus amid low consumer price index figures.
The market ultimately stabilized by the end of August, driven by intensified market activity, increased procurement, and a favorable combination of stable raw material costs and rising demand. Overall, the third quarter was characterized by a cautious optimism, reflecting a resilient market adjusting to changing economic conditions and ongoing supply chain challenges.
Europe
During the third quarter of 2024, the Calcium Propionate market in Germany exhibited significant price movements influenced by various global and domestic factors. Starting in July, prices began to decline. This drop was primarily due to reduced production costs in major manufacturing nations and the liquidation of excess inventories by producers to manage storage costs and product degradation risks. The trend of falling prices continued into the second week, as buyers delayed purchases in anticipation of better pricing. By the end of July, as market participants continued to liquidate stock amid favorable procurement conditions, despite the overall market sentiment remaining weak.
However, later the prices rebounded due to global economic conditions and supply chain disruptions, particularly from reduced vessel traffic and port congestion in Asia. This upward trend persisted into August, with prices increasing, driven by escalating raw material costs and increased procurement activities across sectors. The last week of August experienced a notable increase, influenced by ongoing supply chain issues and rising raw material costs, leading to price adjustments by manufacturers.
This momentum continued into September, with a price surge of 5.66% in the first week, culminating at $1,120/MT. Factors contributing to this increase included higher production costs, currency fluctuations, and rising oil prices linked to geopolitical tensions. The upward trend continued throughout September, with prices reaching $1,153/MT with ana average quarterly inclination of 3.38%, reflecting sustained demand, low inventories, and preemptive purchasing by buyers in anticipation of seasonal demand spikes.
For the Quarter Ending June 2024
North America
In the second quarter of 2024, the North American Calcium Propionate market saw a marked increase in prices, driven by several compelling factors. Key among these were rising production costs, significantly influenced by the escalating prices of raw materials, particularly propionic acid. Additionally, logistical challenges, including disrupted shipping routes and increased freight costs, exacerbated supply chain pressures. These factors, combined with strong demand from end-user industries, collectively fueled the upward pricing trend.
In the USA, the impact was particularly pronounced, with a notable trend of rising prices. Seasonality played a crucial role, as the second quarter typically experiences higher demand due to increased activity in the food preservation and bakery sectors. The interplay between supply constraints and persistent demand further intensified the price escalation. Compared to the same quarter last year, the market reflected ongoing inflationary pressures and the challenges in balancing supply with growing demand. Within the quarter, prices in the first half were 3% lower than in the second half, indicating a steady increase as the quarter progressed.
Overall, the Q2 2024 pricing environment for Calcium Propionate in North America, especially in the USA, has been favorable for suppliers but challenging for buyers. The quarter-ending price stood at USD 1090/MT CFR New York, with an average quarterly increase of 2.09%, highlighting the strong bullish sentiment driven by supply-demand dynamics and logistical hurdles. This consistent rise suggests that prices are likely to remain elevated in the near term, reflecting a robust market environment.
Asia Pacific
In Q2 2024, the Calcium Propionate market in the APAC region experienced a consistent upward trend in pricing, driven by several key factors. Elevated production costs, primarily due to increased raw material prices and heightened energy costs, significantly influenced market prices. The post-pandemic recovery led to renewed demand from end-user industries, particularly the food and feed sectors, which further bolstered prices. Additionally, supply chain disruptions, including container shortages and logistical bottlenecks, exacerbated the supply-demand imbalance, pushing prices higher.
In China, the market saw the most significant price changes, with overall trends revealing a positive pricing environment. Seasonality played a pivotal role, with increased demand driven by summer production schedules and strategic destocking activities ahead of high-temperature shutdowns. Comparing the first and second halves of the quarter, there was a noted price increase of 0.96% on an average quarterly basis, underscoring the continuous upward trajectory. The quarter concluded with prices settling at USD 910/MT FOB Shanghai in China, marking a consistent positive sentiment in the pricing environment.
Overall, the market remained robust, with elevated prices reflecting strong demand and constrained supply, indicating a predominantly positive outlook for the Calcium Propionate market in the APAC region. The sustained upward trend in prices highlights the market's resilience and the ongoing recovery in key end-user industries. As we move forward, monitoring production costs, demand dynamics, and supply chain conditions will be crucial in understanding the future trajectory of the market.
Europe
In Q2 2024, the European Calcium Propionate market experienced a pronounced upward price trajectory, driven by several critical factors. A notable driver was the resurgence in regional demand, particularly from the food preservation sector, which saw heightened consumption levels. This increased demand coincided with prolonged supply chain disruptions, exacerbated by geopolitical tensions and elevated freight costs, collectively constraining the market's supply capabilities. Additionally, the rising costs of raw materials, notably Propionic Acid, significantly inflated production expenses, translating directly into higher market prices for Calcium Propionate.
Germany, exhibiting maximum price volatility within Europe, experienced notable trends in Q2 2024. Seasonality played a significant role, with increased industrial activity and procurement efforts during the warmer months driving demand. This demand surge, coupled with ongoing destocking strategies by traders, further fueled the price ascension. The quarter witnessed a 1.33% surge on an average quarterly basis, indicating sustained bullish sentiment. Additionally, a price comparison between the quarter's first and second halves revealed a 2% increase, reflecting continuous upward momentum.
Concluding the quarter, Calcium Propionate prices in Germany settled at USD 1040/MT CFR Hamburg, showcasing a consistently positive pricing environment dominated by demand-pull dynamics and supply-side constraints. The market's resilience amidst these pressures highlights the robust demand within the sector, underscoring the critical need for strategic management of supply chains and cost structures moving forward.
