For the Quarter Ending June 2025
North America
• The Price Index for Carbidopa USP CFR Los Angeles fell from USD 268,100/MT in April to USD 268,990/MT in June, despite a peak in May, reflecting overall Q2 volatility with a net drop of 0.81%.
• In April, strategic frontloading ahead of tariff hikes and sufficient inventory levels reduced buying activity, pushing the carbidopa spot price downward as suppliers absorbed part of tariff costs.
• The product demand outlook in April was weak, with downstream buyers delaying purchases and minimizing restocking due to ample inventories and tariff-related caution.
• In May, the temporary 90-day suspension of Chinese pharmaceutical tariffs led to a rush of imports, pushing carbidopa prices up by 1.16% due to port congestion and high global freight costs.
• Strong May procurement activity, driven by General Rate Increase (GRI) expectations and mild U.S. inflation, boosted the product demand outlook and short-term prices.
• June saw a reversal, as freight corrections, excess inventory, and weak consumer sentiment caused the price index to drop again by 0.81%.
• Slowing booking activity in June and ongoing destocking by pharmaceutical hubs indicate a declining product price forecast entering Q3.
• With ocean freight spot rates softening and distributors liquidating stock, carbidopa production cost trend eased slightly in late June.
• Domestic demand in June remained soft as buyers waited for tariff clarity and Q2 close financial cycles reduced procurement.
• In July 2025, carbidopa prices are likely to increase modestly, as suppliers shift focus from liquidation to margin recovery, and localized supply tightness emerges due to cautious restocking.
APAC
• The Carbidopa USP FOB Shanghai Price Index declined by 0.85% in June to USD 268,800/MT, after a brief rebound in May; April had started at a lower Price Index of USD 268,000/MT, reflecting high volatility during Q2.
• In April, the Price Index fell 1.40% due to inventory overhang, disrupted logistics, and weak overseas buying. carbidopa spot price was pressured by reduced factory activity and ongoing port congestion, limiting distribution capacity despite sufficient supply.
• The enforcement of 145% U.S. tariffs on Chinese pharmaceutical goods led to foreign order cancellations, sharply eroding the carbidopa demand outlook and forcing suppliers to offer steep discounts to move excess stock.
• May marked a Price Index recovery of 1.16%, spurred by a 90-day U.S. tariff reprieve that triggered frontloaded international procurement. Buyers rushed to secure inventory amid rising freight costs and limited shipping availability.
• Carbidopa production cost trend rose temporarily in May as spot container rates surged by 27% due to booking congestion from U.S. importers trying to beat tariff reinstatement deadlines.
• Peak Season Surcharges (PSS) and General Rate Increases (GRIs) announced for early June prompted aggressive booking, improving inventory turnover and driving up the carbidopa spot price during the month’s first half.
• However, the Price Index dipped again in June, reversing prior gains. Overcapacity and a 3.6% YoY fall in China's Producer Price Index (PPI) reduced input costs, signaling a downtrend in carbidopa production cost trend.
• Global buyers adopted a cautious “wait and see” strategy in June due to weak short-term demand and adequate stock levels. This further weakened the carbidopa demand outlook, with many deferring purchases.
• Domestic consumption in China remained subdued in Q2, as formulators showed restraint amid economic uncertainty and limited stimulus, adding further strain on the carbidopa spot price.
• July 2025 suggests that mild increase is likely due to short-term international stock replenishment after June’s price dip. However, lingering inventory pressures and stable production may cap gains as sellers realign output schedules cautiously.
Europe
• April 2025 saw the Price Index for Carbidopa USP in Germany fall by 1.39%, reaching a Spot Price of USD 268,090/MT, driven by a supply glut as US-bound cargoes were diverted to Europe due to tariffs.
• Subdued carbidopa demand outlook across pharmaceutical sectors, coupled with heavy pre-stocking ahead of Labour Day, flooded the German market with inventories, further depressing prices.
• Steady imports from Asia and robust vessel availability sustained an oversupplied market throughout April, keeping landed costs low and restricting any upward momentum in the price forecast.
• In May 2025, the Price Index rose by 1.16% to USD 271,190/MT, amid rising freight congestion, space constraints, and a surge in forward bookings driven by anticipated GRIs and recovering demand outlook.
• Port disruptions at Hamburg and Bremerhaven severely limited shipment flow, enabling sellers to raise prices due to reduced production cost trend pressures and inventory gaps.
• The easing of US tariffs mid-May prompted vessel reallocation, tightening space on Asia–Europe routes and amplifying price gains in Germany.
• June 2025 saw prices edge down 0.84% to USD 268,910/MT as cautious buyers paused procurement and sellers offloaded excess stocks before quarter-end.
• Postponement of PSS by carriers reduced urgency in purchasing decisions, softening the carbidopa spot price trajectory and creating a flat price forecast for early Q3.
• Demand outlook in June was tepid due to adequate inventories, limiting new trade activity amid ongoing logistical constraints.
• For July 2025, the Price Index is likely to increase as downstream industries begin restocking and PSS activations raise import landed costs across Germany.
For the Quarter Ending March 2025
North America
Carbidopa prices in the U.S. experienced mixed movements in Q1 2025, influenced by trade policies, supply dynamics, and shifting demand. January saw a moderate price increase as importers accelerated shipments ahead of a proposed 10% tariff on Chinese goods. This surge in buying, coupled with the Chinese Lunar New Year and elevated energy costs, strained supply chains and drove prices upward.
However, in February, prices declined as post-holiday manufacturing recovery in China boosted supply and transpacific shipping rates dropped due to excess capacity. At the same time, demand softened amid economic uncertainty, stockpiled inventories, and cautious buyer sentiment related to potential new tariffs on Indian pharmaceuticals.
In March, prices edged up again as buyers resumed procurement in anticipation of broader tariff measures introduced by former President Trump on March 4. Stabilized supply and improved consumer sentiment, driven by easing inflation, further supported this uptick.
Overall, Q1 was marked by tariff-driven volatility, fluctuating demand, and trade-related stockpiling, creating a dynamic pricing environment for Carbidopa in the U.S. market.
Asia Pacific
Carbidopa prices in China exhibited a fluctuating trend during Q1 2025, driven by shifting supply-demand dynamics and trade developments. In January, prices rose slightly as pharmaceutical demand strengthened and manufacturers faced seasonal production slowdowns ahead of the Lunar New Year. Distributors frontloaded orders in response to potential U.S. tariffs, tightening supply and boosting prices. However, February saw a slight decline as production normalized post-holiday, leading to stable supply and higher inventories. Weak domestic consumption, deflationary sentiment, and sluggish demand from Western markets further weighed on prices. By March, Carbidopa prices increased notably due to strong domestic and foreign demand outpacing supply recovery. Low starting inventories, restocking activity, and anticipation of plant maintenance contributed to tighter availability. Foreign buyers also rushed procurement ahead of potential trade restrictions, reinforcing bullish sentiment. Overall, Q1 was marked by volatility: early price gains from export urgency and seasonal disruptions, mid-quarter weakness from soft demand, and a strong rebound in March as supply lagged behind recovering demand.
Europe
In Q1 2025, Carbidopa prices in Germany displayed a fluctuating trend shaped by dynamic shifts in sentiment, supply conditions, and procurement behavior. January saw a moderate price rise as improved business morale and favorable monetary conditions boosted demand from healthcare and pharmaceutical sectors. Buyers accelerated inventory restocking amid early Lunar New Year-driven shipments and Red Sea diversions, contributing to upward price pressure. However, February brought a reversal, with prices declining due to subdued demand and abundant supply. Early stockpiling, weak consumer confidence, and political uncertainties ahead of elections curbed downstream purchases. Concurrently, the appreciated Euro and a significant drop in freight rates enabled cost-efficient imports, further pressuring prices. By March, prices rebounded due to tighter supply caused by European port congestion and labor unrest. Restocking resumed, aided by firmer pharmaceutical sector sentiment and a slight easing in Eurozone inflation, prompting more assertive purchasing. This shift allowed suppliers to raise price offers, supported by recovering demand and logistical challenges. Overall, Q1 was marked by alternating supply-demand dynamics, with inventory strategies and macroeconomic sentiment playing pivotal roles in shaping Carbidopa’s price trajectory.
For the Quarter Ending December 2024
North America
In Q4 2024, Carbidopa prices in the USA exhibited a fluctuating trend due to economic uncertainties and shifting market dynamics. In October, prices declined as inflationary concerns and weak consumer confidence led to reduced demand across several sectors. Businesses, facing uncertainty over the upcoming election and interest rate changes, adopted a cautious approach, lowering prices to stimulate sales. External disruptions, including hurricanes and strikes, further dampened the market.
November saw a price increase driven by improved consumer confidence and expectations of lower inflation. Optimism about the labor market and anticipation of supply chain disruptions during the holiday season spurred proactive purchasing. The looming threat of a labor strike in January also contributed to early stockpiling.
In December, Carbidopa prices declined once again as a drop in consumer confidence and reduced demand from key sectors, such as pharmaceuticals, curbed buying activity. Increased inflationary concerns and proactive inventory buildup ahead of potential strikes and the Chinese New Year kept supply abundant, leading suppliers to adjust prices downward to remain competitive. Overall, Q4 2024 saw a volatile Carbidopa market, marked by fluctuations driven by economic uncertainties, consumer sentiment, and supply chain concerns.
Asia Pacific
In Q4 2024, Carbidopa prices in China showed significant fluctuations, influenced by both domestic and global factors. October experienced a price decline due to weak domestic consumer demand and a surplus in supply, which intensified competition among suppliers. Additionally, global uncertainties, particularly around the U.S. elections and rising protectionism, dampened international demand, leading to decreased export orders and further pushing prices down.
In November, prices rose as China’s factory activity expanded, driven by increased new orders, including from international markets. The depreciation of the yuan made exports more affordable, boosting international demand, while rising raw material costs forced manufacturers to pass on higher production expenses to consumers, contributing to the price uptick.
By December, Carbidopa prices fell again, impacted by disinflation and reduced domestic demand. Downstream buyers, such as pharmaceutical and healthcare manufacturers, adjusted their purchasing strategies in response to slower economic conditions. Weakened foreign orders, especially from key markets like the U.S. and Germany, further decreased demand. With excess stock remaining, many suppliers lowered prices to clear inventories before the year-end, driving the overall decline. Thus, Q4 saw a cyclical pattern of price fluctuations driven by domestic and international market dynamics.
Europe
In Q4 2024, Carbidopa prices in Germany exhibited fluctuations driven by various factors. October saw a decline, primarily due to soft market conditions driven by consumer inflation concerns, reducing demand for pharmaceuticals. Additionally, a sharp drop in container shipping rates on Asia-Europe routes and proactive logistics strategies to ensure supply during the Golden Week holiday contributed to a balanced supply, prompting market participants to adjust prices downward.
In November, Carbidopa prices rose due to increased demand from the pharmaceutical sector, a recovery in consumer sentiment, and stockpiling ahead of the holiday season. A surge in freight rates and the depreciation of the euro further fueled this price incline, despite buyers adopting a cautious approach amid economic uncertainties.
December saw a price decline, influenced by weak demand from key sectors, economic instability, and concerns over inflation. The strong inventory levels, coupled with harsh winter weather, logistical delays, and cautious purchasing, led to a reduction in Carbidopa prices as suppliers focused on clearing existing stock before the new year. Overall, Q4 2024 experienced a volatile trend in Carbidopa prices in Germany, with fluctuations driven by changing demand, economic pressures, and logistical challenges.
FAQs
1. Why were Carbidopa prices volatile during Q2 2025?
Prices shifted due to tariff uncertainties, freight disruptions, and fluctuating demand. April saw price drops across all regions due to overstocking and weak sentiment. May brought a brief rebound from frontloaded buying and freight congestion, while June dipped again as inventories remained high and demand slowed.
2. What triggered the temporary price increase in May?
A 90-day U.S. tariff suspension caused a rush in imports. This, along with high freight rates and limited shipping space, led to a brief price hike across the U.S., China, and Germany, as buyers moved quickly to secure stock.
3. How did freight and supply affect production costs?
Spot freight rate surges in May pushed up short-term production costs. However, by June, falling freight rates and destocking activities eased cost pressures, especially in North America and China.
4. What is the price forecast for July 2025?
Prices are likely to rise moderately as suppliers shift to profit recovery. Restocking in Europe and the U.S., along with tighter supply in China, may support a mild upward trend.
