For the Quarter Ending September 2025
APAC
• In China, the Ketoprofen Price Index fell by 5.37% quarter-over-quarter, reflecting oversupply and weak demand.
• The average Ketoprofen price for the quarter was approximately USD 55833.33/MT, reflecting inventory adjustments observed.
• Ketoprofen Spot Price weakened as distributors discounted stock, elevating pressure on the regional Price Index.
• Ketoprofen Price Forecast shows stabilization, then gradual recovery supported by maintenance-related supply tightening and restocking.
• Ketoprofen Production Cost Trend rose due to higher freight and feedstock, supporting supplier pricing discipline.
• Ketoprofen Demand Outlook remained weak as pharmaceutical buyers delayed procurement, exacerbating inventories and price pressure.
• Punitive export tariffs reduced outbound flows, increasing domestic competition and depressing the Ketoprofen Price Index.
• Spot market volatility reflected seasonal restocking, logistics bottlenecks, and selective destocking, shaping Ketoprofen Price Forecast.
Europe
• In Europe, the Ketoprofen Price Index was largely stable, with slight upward bias due to better-controlled inventories and moderate demand growth.
• Average price remained relatively flat to modestly increasing, supported by steady demand for topical gels/patches and compliance with stricter regulatory / sustainability standards.
• Marginal upward movement in the quarter, driven by periodic supply constraints of API, logistics shifts, and competitive pressure from Asian producers limiting excessive price rises.
• Rising, as pharmaceutical manufacturers incurred higher costs from regulatory compliance (e.g., environmental/GMP standards), feedstock and logistic burdens — this underpinned pricing discipline.
• Moderate growth, owing to aging populations, increasing use of topical NSAIDs, and self-medication trends. But growth is constrained by mature market saturation and competition.
• European suppliers face competition from Asian (China/India) producers, which exerts downward pressure on potential higher price rises; however, better inventory management has prevented oversupply.
North America
• In North America, the Ketoprofen Price Index saw a modest increase quarter-over-quarter, reflecting mature market demand and slightly tighter supply conditions.
• The average Ketoprofen price for the quarter was slightly above previous levels, driven by premium branded formulations and higher demand for topical/patch formats.
• Ketoprofen Spot Price strengthened as distributors and manufacturers capitalised on steady demand for non-opioid analgesics and topical/patch formats growing ~15% annually.
• Production Cost Trend in North America rose due to higher freight, regulatory compliance costs and feedstock costs — this supported supplier pricing discipline.
• Demand Outlook remained stable to positive: due to increasing musculoskeletal and arthritic conditions in aging populations, and preference for non-invasive topical solutions.
• While domestic manufacturing exists, reliance on imported API and global supply chain bottlenecks created some upward pressure on pricing.
• Spot market volatility was moderate, shaped by seasonal demand (e.g., winter musculoskeletal conditions), logistics cost increases, and restocking behaviours among distributors.
For the Quarter Ending June 2025
North America
• North America witnessed a stable to slightly upward quarterly trend for Ketoprofen prices during Q2 2025, due to steady pharmaceutical demand and limited price volatility, with an average quarter-over-quarter price increase of approximately 1-2%.
• The Ketoprofen Spot Price in June 2025 showed resilience amid tight supply conditions caused by production curtailments and increased inspection and regulatory scrutiny within the FDA regime.
• Elevated raw material costs and compliance expenditures led to a gradual rise in the Ketoprofen Production Cost Trend, pressuring manufacturers to adjust prices upwards.
• The Ketoprofen Demand Outlook in North America remains positive, supported by increased use in OTC pain relief products and growing chronic pain patient demographics.
• Supply chain adjustments post-pandemic have improved raw material procurement efficiency, partially offsetting cost inflation and helping stabilize Ketoprofen availability.
• Trade policy stabilization and reduced international tariff uncertainties improved import conditions, favoring market stability and mitigating abrupt price fluctuations.
• Minor logistical delays in Q2 had a limited impact on pricing but spurred manufacturers to optimize inventory and maintain buffer stocks to meet sustained demand.
• The competitive landscape in North America is shaped by a few dominant producers, restricting excessive price erosion and underpinning moderate price growth.
• Forecasts for the Ketoprofen market indicate steady demand growth with prices expected to maintain their levels or rise slightly in Q3, barring any unexpected supply shocks.
• Ongoing innovation in formulation and improved bioavailability of Ketoprofen products drive optimism for future market expansion and sustained cost-effective production.
APAC
• Ketoprofen exhibited a downward trajectory throughout Q2 2025 in APAC, with the spot price declining from 62,000 USD/Ton in April to 55,000 USD/Ton in June (a cumulative drop of approximately 11.3, reflecting an average quarter-over-quarter fluctuation of -8.1%, driven by supply surplus and subdued demand.
• The Ketoprofen Spot Price decline was primarily influenced by macroeconomic headwinds, including a 0.1% year-on-year decline in China’s CPI in April, signaling softer consumer demand affecting the pharmaceutical sector.
• Manufacturing costs trended downward due to suspension of raw material tariffs and improved port logistics in key Chinese hubs, contributing to a Ketoprofen Production Cost Trend that allowed manufacturers to lower prices aggressively to maintain competitiveness.
• Persistent trade tensions and high export tariffs (up to 245%) restricted global market access for Chinese producers, resulting in inventory accumulation and downward price pressure as exporters sought to clear stocks through price cuts.
• The Ketoprofen Demand Outlook remained weak across the quarter due to sluggish downstream pharmaceutical formulation demand and conservative procurement strategies prompted by ongoing global oversupply.
• In June 2025 particularly, intensified price competition combined with maintenance shutdowns at major production units created a temporary oversupply environment, forcing smaller producers with lower overheads to increase output and push prices further down.
• Elevated freight costs and logistics challenges amplified the downward pressure on prices throughout May, hampering exports despite the lowered production costs driving domestic price competition.
• Oversupply from China exerted a ripple effect across regional markets, contributing to volatility and prompting supply chain risk mitigation strategies among global buyers aiming to optimize cost efficiency.
• The overall Ketoprofen Price Forecast for late Q2 and early Q3 suggests continued price softness until export conditions improve, and global demand stabilizes, pressured by excess capacity and cautious market sentiment.
• Market participants in APAC are advised to adopt agile procurement and flexible inventory management approaches to navigate the current volatile Ketoprofen pricing and production environment.
Europe
• Ketoprofen prices in Europe remained relatively stable in Q2 2025, with moderate fluctuations around an average price band, indicating a stable quarterly trend with limited volatility due to balanced supply-demand dynamics.
• European regulations on pharmaceutical ingredients have tightened, resulting in slightly elevated Ketoprofen Production Costs, but these increases were offset by efficiency gains and localization of supply chains.
• The Ketoprofen Spot Price in Europe showed marginal upward movement in June 2025, driven by periodic supply constraints from global suppliers and increasing demand from pharmaceutical manufacturers.
• Demand for Ketoprofen in Europe shows a slow but steady growth trajectory, supported by expanding applications in pain management and OTC formulations, positively influencing the Ketoprofen Demand Outlook.
• Supply chain resilience efforts, including diversified sourcing and strategic stockpiling, have helped mitigate disruptions from global trade tensions affecting raw material imports during Q2.
• Pricing pressures from competitors in Asia, particularly China and India, have limited significant price hikes, maintaining competitive pricing for European manufacturers and suppliers.
• The ongoing green initiative and sustainability compliance have contributed to gradual increases in production costs, shaping the Ketoprofen Production Cost Trend with a focus on environmental standards.
• Inventory levels in Europe remained well-managed, avoiding oversupply conditions, which helped European market players maintain price stability amid fluctuating global conditions.
• The Ketoprofen Price Forecast for Europe anticipates stable to modestly increasing prices in the near term, bolstered by steady demand and cautious optimism in pharmaceutical manufacturing recovery.
• Key European players continue investing in R&D for improved formulations and purity of Ketoprofen, anticipating robust future demand and potential premium pricing opportunities.
