For the Quarter Ending June 2023
North America
In the second quarter of 2023, the US Gelatin market experienced fluctuating market sentiments. The first two months of the second quarter saw steady price gains due to hampered supply and demand dynamics. Due to increased demand from end-user suppliers, there is a moderate shortage of Gelatin on domestic warehouse shelves, leading to price hikes in the market. In late Q2, prices finally began to fall due to weak demand, which led to excess inventory, which forced suppliers to lower their prices. The ongoing economic instability in the US and the rising global inflation rate have also contributed to the decline in demand for Gelatin. Trade between Asia and the United States increased since the zero-resistance policy against COVID-19 was abolished. Also, the production costs of Gelatin have increased in recent months due to the rising prices of corn and other inputs. However, distributors are hesitant to place large orders due to the falling prices. Major players in the market are expected to reduce prices in the coming months further. Distributors and suppliers are not restocking their inventories as they are still trying to clear the surplus.
South America
The Gelatin market in the second quarter of 2023 in the South American region showcased an oscillating trajectory. At the commencement of Q2 till the mid of Q2, the Gelatin market showed stable price inflation due to soaring domestic and international orders. The producers of Gelatin noted a sharp reduction in volumes of new orders amid political uncertainty and high-interest rates, which hampered Brazil's domestic market during April. In addition, supply chain disruptions due to ongoing geopolitical disputes have further reduced Gelatin supplies, resulting in upward pressure on prices. The increased production rates to refill the inventories with fresh stock and cater to the upcoming demand market situation remained strong. Later with the termination of mid-Q2, the prices fluctuated, and the prices witnessed to deflate significantly. The demand for Gelatin has decreased due to lower demand from end-user consumers, including the food and beverage industries. Decreased commodity prices and more supply amid weakening demand further put downward pressure on prices.
APAC
The Gelatin market in the second quarter of 2023 in the Asia Pacific region showcased a mixed trajectory. At the commencement of Q2 till the mid of Q2, the Gelatin market showed stable price inflation due to soaring domestic and international orders. The increased production rates to refill the inventories with fresh stock and cater to the upcoming demand market situation remained strong. The supply of Gelatin has been somewhat constrained, due to several factors, including production disruptions in China and the ongoing war in Ukraine. This reduced supply has also contributed to the increase in prices. China's exports saw a better-than-expected market situation as consistent inquiries from the domestic and international markets remained above average.Later with the termination of mid-Q2, the prices fluctuated, and the prices witnessed to deflate significantly. In addition, this price trend was mainly due to a decrease in sales in final consumption areas, and there were no new inquiries from domestic and overseas suppliers. Demand from downstream industries declined in recent months. Due to a large inventory of Gelatin in the warehouse, the supplier had to reduce the price to reduce the existing inventory.
Europe
The second quarter of 2023 saw a mixed trajectory in the European market for Gelatin. As the second quarter began, prices decreased, backed by reduced imports of raw materials from exporting countries like China and chronically low downstream industry demand. Additionally, the cost of shipping goods by sea has decreased due to recent rates between China and Europe returning to pre-pandemic levels and a major reduction in congestion, both of which influence the state of the company. Later, in the month of May, the prices rose due to the gap between the supply and demand side of the market. The price hike was exacerbated by a national surge in domestic inquiries. However, dealer inventories were sufficient to cover gross demand for the month. That said, another factor supporting this increased demand for Gelatin is the appreciation of the Euro against the US Dollar. Unexpected production cut decisions by OPEC+ members also had a positive impact on the market environment. Higher energy costs, higher production costs, and higher transportation costs all contributed to the continued strength of the market. Speculative trading has also contributed to the increase in Gelatin prices. Speculators are buying Gelatin in the hope that prices will continue to rise. This has further increased demand for Gelatin and put even more upward pressure on prices.
For the Quarter Ending March 2023
North America
The first quarter of 2023 saw fluctuation in the North American market for Gelatin. Early in January, strong market sentiment for Gelatin began to emerge across the USA; it persisted until the end of the month as a result of ongoing orders from domestic consumers. Additionally, traders encountered the most expensive import from China as the Chinese currency appreciated against the US dollar, rising by roughly 3% in just January. Due to regular orders from the end-user sector, Gelatine's price trend remained steady in February. As a result of the supply and demand being in balance, the market dynamics remained unaltered. Gelatin prices continued to decline in March due to regular orders from the end-user industry. As a result of the supply and demand being in balance, the market dynamics remained unchanged. Towards the end of the quarter, the Gelatin (BS -150) Food grade prices were assessed around USD 7820/MT for CFR Houston in March.
Asia Pacific
Gelatin price in the Asia Pacific region inclined in the first quarter of 2023 for a variety of reasons. Gelatin prices in China have remained stable and on the higher side as a result of steady demand from end-use industries and limited supply. The primary cause of this price trend's stagnation was the market's normal equilibrium between supply and demand. Because China's market dynamics remained favorable, Gelatin prices rose again in February. High end-user industry purchasing activity, rising demand, and falling supply were the primary factors for this growth. March saw a further rise in the price of Gelatin as China's market dynamics persisted. High end-user industry purchasing activity, along with rising demand and falling supply, were the primary factors for this growth. Towards the end of the quarter, the prices for Gelatin (BS - 150) Food grade were assessed around USD 7280/MT for FOB Shanghai in March.
Europe
The Gelatin market in Europe fluctuated during the fourth quarter of 2022. The price incline observed in the first half of the quarter was influenced by consistent offtakes and insufficient stockpiles. Due to the ongoing downturn of the German market, the price of Gelatin decreased further. Rising supply and moderate to low purchasing activity from end-user industries, particularly the pharmaceutical industry, were the main contributors to this reduction. Throughout the quarter, offtakes in the region's downstream industries remained steady. Towards the end of the quarter, the prices for Gelatin (BS - 160) Food grade were assessed around USD 10200/MT for FOB Hamburg in March.
For the Quarter Ending December 2022
North America
The Gelatin in the North American region showed a mixed price trajectory in the Q4 of 2022. In the USA, Gelatin price escalated a total of 7.8% for Gelatin (BS-150) and 1.4% for Gelatin (BS-220) until November of 2022 before dropping 1.7% and 1.1% in December. Inventories of Gelatin were low in the domestic market due to rising feedstock costs which impacted production. Due to slow imports and a lack of truckers, the U.S. market for Gelatin remained tight. In addition, the cost of logistics had grown, mostly as a result of containers becoming stranded at ports or at sea and a lack of workers to unload the ships. In December, prices decreased as the country finally started to recover, as the U.S. supply chain gradually became better with reduced ship backlogs at the east coast port significantly. The reduced demand brought on by slower consumer spending resulted in slow manufacturing activity in December. Therefore, by the end of the quarter, the CFR Houston prices for Gelatin (BS-150) and Gelatin (BS-220) settled at USD 7985/M.T. and USD 8920/M.T. in December 2022, respectively.
Asia- Pacific
During the fourth quarter of 2022, the price of Gelatin across the Asia Pacific region displayed an upward price trajectory. Between October and December, the FOB Shanghai price in China increased from USD 6520/M.T. to USD 7100/M.T. for Gelatin (BS-150) and USD 7940/M.T. to USD 8045 /M.T. for Gelatin (BS-220). The prices of Gelatin in the Chinese market were affected by the strong demand from a number of end-user pharmaceutical and healthcare industries. Low inventories among domestic merchants as a result of the suspension of manufacturing activities over the Golden Week holidays in the first week of October helped the price trend in the market. Following a one-week holiday and the market's reopening, domestic traders met several contradictory signals, making it challenging for the participants to keep up with the slow progress witnessed in the downstream industries. Government officials altered its zero-covid policies in response to complaints and significant dissatisfaction in the nation, putting the nation susceptible once more in the second half of the fourth quarter of 2022.
Europe
Gelatin's market dynamics in Europe were comparable to those in North America and the Asia-Pacific region. However, until November 2022, Gelatin's price increased. The price hike was prompted by supply shortages and continuous demand from end-user industries. Additionally, in order to enhance profit margins, domestic firms had to alter their product lineups as import costs rose. Later in December, weak purchasing activity was seen as a result of decreased demand from the local market, which led to a decrease in price. Due to their misgivings about the availability of merchandise, regional dealers in Germany lowered prices to entice customers.
For The Quarter Ending September 2022
North America
In North America, the prices surged around 4.2% for Gelatin (BS-150) and 4.8% for Gelatin (BS-220) due to favorable sentiments in the regional market during the third quarter of 2022. However, the insufficient product availability in the USA because of inadequate supply from China caused USA's buyers to import Gelatin at an inflated price from Brazil, prompting the price rise. Since China is a significant exporter of Gelatin to the USA, the shutdown of a few production units for maintenance caused a low output, hindered supplies, and disrupted trading activities of the products. Therefore, by the end of the quarter, the CFR Houston prices for Gelatin (BS-150) and Gelatin (BS-220) settled at USD 7525/MT and USD 8890/MT in September 2022, respectively.
Asia- Pacific
In Q3 2022, the Gelatin market witnessed positive market sentiments in the Asia-Pacific region, with prices following an upward trajectory due to the shortage of inventories in the market and heavy demand from the end-user sector. Industrial Gelatin manufacturing was in a low phase from July to September in China because high temperatures led to dull jelly strength and quality issues. Few factories in China, notably Ysasin Industry, a significant Gelatin producer, were involved in maintenance tasks to make sure the highest quality Gelatin to its purchasers. Therefore, for the quarter ending in September, the FOB Shanghai price of Gelatin (BS-150) and Gelatin (BS-220) in China settled at USD 6145/MT and USD 7680/MT with a quarterly inclination of 5.1% and 5.3%.
Europe
Similar market dynamics were observed in the European region during the third quarter of 2022. However, Gelatin prices climbed significantly in Germany due to a tight supply of the product in the regional market and rising requirements from the end-use pharmaceutical, food, and cosmetic manufacturers. Moreover, the weak production activities of the manufacturing plants in Germany's domestic market ushered in disrupted international trade, further pushing the Gelatin food grade prices. In addition, rising production costs, rerouting of transportation, and a cargo scarcity that increased freight costs all affected pricing in the market. Thus, Gelatin prices in Germany were assembled at USD 7360/MT in September 2022.
