For the Quarter Ending September 2025
North America
• In the USA, the Levodopa Price Index fell by 1.19% quarter-over-quarter, Q3 2025, due to destocking.
• The average Levodopa price for the quarter was approximately USD 62216.67/MT, weighted by Los Angeles volumes.
• Levodopa Spot Price remained pressured through the quarter amid logistical corrections and subdued booking activity.
• Levodopa Price Forecast indicates modest stabilization with upward bias as restocking emerges and imports normalize.
• Levodopa Production Cost Trend was stable; freight cost correction reduced landed cost pressure during the quarter.
• Levodopa Demand Outlook remains tepid with cautious pharmacy buying and seasonal uptick failing to materialize.
• Levodopa Price Index sensitivity increased as strategic stockpiling earlier in quarter then accelerated inventory liquidation.
• Market participants noted balanced import volumes and disciplined selling, constraining volatility while margins slightly adjusted.
Why did the price of Levodopa change in September 2025 in North America?
• Destocking and earlier strategic stockpiles reduced immediate purchasing, weakening demand and further pressuring mid-quarter prices.
• Ocean freight corrections and easing logistics lowered landed costs, translating into reduced upward price momentum.
• Uncertain trade policy and tariff threats provoked frontloading earlier, then softened bookings causing price moderation.
APAC
• In China, the Levodopa Price Index fell by 1.2% quarter-over-quarter, reflecting weak export demand and inventories.
• The average Levodopa price for the quarter was approximately USD 62116.67/MT, reflecting subdued export and domestic purchasing activity.
• Levodopa Price Forecast points to mild recovery as shipping costs rise and producers manage production schedules.
• Levodopa Production Cost Trend showed easing input prices but episodic weather disruptions increased operational expenses for some manufacturers.
• Levodopa Demand Outlook remains cautious with western buyers restocking selectively while overall consumption stays subdued.
• Levodopa Price Index and Spot Price volatility reflected inventory accumulation, competitive export pricing, and seasonal procurement ahead.
• Rising unsold inventories pressured margins while strategic export demand spurts produced short-lived upward price adjustments.
• Major Chinese producers operated steady utilization, adapting offers and flexible volumes to stimulate offtake amid soft markets.
Why did the price of Levodopa change in September 2025 in APAC?
• Weak international demand reduced buying urgency and increased competition among exporters, pressuring export FOB prices.
• Lower logistics costs and abundant shipping capacity gave purchasers leverage, contributing to downward price pressure.
• Domestic overcapacity and accumulating inventories forced sellers into flexible pricing strategies to maintain order flow.
Europe
• In Germany, the Levodopa Price Index fell by 1.1129% quarter-over-quarter, reflecting surplus inventories and conservative purchasing.
• The average Levodopa price for the quarter was approximately USD 62223.67/MT, landed costs and logistics adjustments.
• Levodopa Spot Price remained pressured by elevated stock levels and muted spot buying across distributors and wholesalers.
• Levodopa Price Forecast indicates upward adjustments as Q3 restocking and logistical costs normalize, challenging tolerance levels.
• Levodopa Production Cost Trend showed limited inflationary feedstock impact, with freight delays influencing landed costs and margins.
• Levodopa Demand Outlook remains cautious; hospital and distributor buying disciplined, avoiding speculative inventory accumulation across channels.
• Levodopa Price Index movements were influenced by port congestion, delayed freight surcharges, and deferred procurement behavior patterns.
• Major supplier operational status was stable, enabling balanced imports despite transport bottlenecks and seasonal surcharges affecting timings.
Why did the price of Levodopa change in September 2025 in Europe?
• Elevated inventories and deliberate destocking reduced buying urgency, easing price pressures in the market effectively.
• Logistics disruptions and delayed freight surcharges temporarily increased landed cost uncertainty, prompting cautious purchasing decisions.
• Steady end-user demand matched improved incoming shipments, limiting spot tightness and restraining further price escalation.
For the Quarter Ending June 2025
North America
• The Levodopa Price Index in the USA declined from USD 65,100/MT in April to USD 61,687/MT in June, reflecting an overall 8.49% quarterly drop due to persistent tariff pressure and inventory-heavy conditions.
• In April 2025, the product spot price softened as importers absorbed some of the 145% China-origin tariff costs while strategic frontloading in March built up stocks, limiting new orders and reducing the product demand outlook.
• Despite the high tariff structure, April saw ample inventories and low booking momentum as buyers paused purchases in anticipation of trade updates, adding to bearish pressure on the product price forecast.
• In May, the Price Index dipped further as U.S.–China tariff talks led to a temporary rollback, but uncertainty over compliance timelines and the U.S. executive drug price mandate (30–80% cuts) deterred procurement, intensifying the weak product demand outlook.
• A 20.8% MoM fall in containerized imports during May suggested that pharmaceutical buyers were recalibrating supply chains and holding off on commitments, further dragging the Price Index downward.
• The product production cost trend stabilized briefly in May due to lower inbound volumes and slower trade, but price recovery was capped by subdued buyer interest and cautious downstream sentiment.
• June 2025 continued the downtrend in product spot prices as buyers liquidated inventories and held off on summer-peak bookings, with the Price Index falling below USD 61,700/MT.
• Weak freight rates from Asia and a visible destocking trend in U.S. pharma hubs in June underscored surplus availability, confirming bearish signals in the product price forecast and compounding the already soft product demand outlook.
• By late June, wholesalers and mid-tier distributors rushed to normalize inventory before fiscal close, contributing to weaker downstream demand and holding back any chance of price stabilization.
• In July 2025, prices are likely to increase moderately as Q3 contract negotiations begin, reviving short-term demand, while cautious supplier behavior and slower replenishments may cause a mild squeeze in supply, lifting the Price Index slightly.
APAC
• The Levodopa Price Index in China fell from USD 65,000/MT in April to USD 61,500/MT in June, reflecting a decline across Q2 2025.
• In April, persistent inventory overhang and weak overseas interest—particularly from the U.S. due to 145% tariffs—forced exporters to slash the product spot price to accelerate offtake.
• April’s sharp decline in China’s manufacturing PMI to 49.0 indicated contraction, tightening the product production cost trend and undermining pricing power.
• By May, manufacturers struggled with unsold stock and missed export targets; the product demand outlook remained subdued as foreign buyers adopted a wait-and-see approach amid ongoing trade uncertainty.
• Domestic consumption during May also stagnated, compounded by the extended Labor Day holiday and delayed shipments.
• In June, despite stable output, oversupply intensified; buyers refrained from fresh procurement, citing adequate inventory levels and soft global demand.
• Falling freight rates in June exerted further pressure on the product spot price, as buyers negotiated harder under reduced logistics costs.
• China's June PPI decline of 3.6% signaled a deflationary trend, weakening product production cost trend across pharmaceuticals.
• Exporters turned to aggressive price competition in June to stimulate lagging international demand, especially in Western markets.
• Product price forecast for July 2025 indicates a continued decrease, driven by excess inventory, risk-averse buyers, and low consumption expectations.
Europe
• The Levodopa Price Index in Germany dropped by 8.44% in April, followed by declines of 4.63% in May and 0.75% in June, bringing the average Levodopa Spot Price to USD 61,610/MT by the end of Q2.
• In April, the German market experienced a sharp Price Index decline due to an influx of diverted U.S.-bound cargo, elevated inventories from pre-holiday stocking, and subdued product demand outlook, compelling suppliers to cut prices to maintain throughput.
• May's Price Index slide was influenced by ongoing supply excess from Chinese rerouted shipments, cautious procurement by pharmaceutical players, and logistical disruptions at major Northern European ports like Hamburg and Antwerp.
• Retail sector demand remained weak in May, as persistent inflation (CPI at 2.1%) curtailed pharmaceutical spending, reinforcing a tepid product demand outlook and triggering further reductions in product spot price.
• The product production cost trend remained under control in May as European buyers benefited from stable landed costs, despite blank sailings and port congestion.
• In June, quarter-end inventory liquidation and conservative procurement strategies caused the Price Index to dip again, as importers avoided speculative buying and focused on minimizing stock before mid-year closure.
• Delays in implementing Peak Season Surcharges (PSS) by ocean carriers helped prevent a spike in product production cost trend, keeping freight-linked costs stable and temporarily supporting price levels.
• Import flow remained uninterrupted throughout the quarter, but mounting inventories and cautious demand created a persistent oversupply condition, shaping a weak product price forecast outlook for July.
• Buyers are expected to re-enter the market in July for Q3 contract purchases, injecting fresh demand; however, supply might remain slightly constrained due to import lags and hesitant supplier positions, potentially lifting the Price Index.
• Overall, Levodopa prices are likely to increase in July 2025, driven by contract-based restocking and anticipated tightening in availability, marking a potential shift from the prolonged Q2 downtrend.
For the Quarter Ending March 2025
North America
In Q1 2025, Levodopa prices in the USA experienced a steady decline, driven by a combination of economic uncertainty, oversupply, and trade-related factors. In January, weakening U.S. consumer confidence and severe winter weather disrupted demand, leading to oversupply as businesses rushed to stock up in anticipation of higher tariffs on Chinese imports. This proactive purchasing led to excess inventory, putting downward pressure on prices.
In February, prices continued to drop as supply from China increased due to post-Lunar New Year manufacturing activity and lower shipping costs, while demand remained subdued amid inflation concerns and a slowing economy. Buyers remained cautious, delaying orders due to worries over new tariffs on Chinese and Indian pharmaceuticals. By March, escalating trade tensions, including the doubling of tariffs on Chinese imports and threats of tariffs on Indian products, further heightened market uncertainty. This led to reduced purchasing activity and frozen shipments.
With high inventory levels and weak demand, sellers employed aggressive pricing strategies to move stock, causing prices to fall even further throughout the quarter.
Asia Pacific
In Q1 2025, Levodopa prices in China displayed a mixed trend, primarily influenced by shifting supply and demand conditions. In January, prices saw a slight increase due to steady demand from the pharmaceutical and healthcare sectors, combined with a seasonal slowdown ahead of the Lunar New Year, which limited production capacity. Anticipating potential supply constraints, manufacturers and distributors placed cautious advance orders, adding temporary pressure on supply. However, February saw a decline in prices, driven by stable supply and weak demand. After the Spring Festival, manufacturing activity improved, boosting production and inventory levels. Weak consumer spending and sluggish demand from both domestic and international markets, exacerbated by U.S. tariffs, further contributed to lower prices. By March, increased production capacity and a stronger yuan led to higher domestic inventories and reduced foreign demand, prompting suppliers to offer discounts. Combined with reduced purchasing from key sectors, these factors resulted in downward pressure on prices, with suppliers adjusting pricing strategies to clear stock.
Europe
Amoxicillin Trihydrate prices in Germany declined consistently throughout Q1 2025 due to persistent market weakness. In January, prices fell as economic uncertainty, political instability ahead of national elections, and rising inflation reduced consumer spending power and demand from the healthcare sector. Expectations of U.S. tariff hikes on Chinese goods raised the possibility of diverted exports to Europe, prompting a cautious, wait-and-see approach from buyers. In February, the downward trend continued amid abundant supply and weak demand. A stronger Euro and a nearly 50% drop in ocean freight rates from Asia made imports more cost-effective, contributing to inventory buildup. Early stockpiling before the Lunar New Year further reduced immediate buying needs. Political and economic uncertainties weighed on downstream sectors, leading suppliers to lower prices to maintain competitiveness. In March, prices continued to fall as oversupply persisted and post-holiday demand remained soft. Despite some port congestion in Europe, freight rates from Asia dropped further due to flat demand. With favorable landed costs and limited fresh buying interest, many buyers focused on destocking, reinforcing the sustained downward pressure on prices through the end of the quarter.
For the Quarter Ending December 2024
North America
In Q4 2024, Levodopa prices in the USA experienced a steady increase, driven by a combination of market dynamics and external factors. In October, rising demand from end-user sectors, fueled by consumer confidence boosted by Federal Reserve rate cuts, intensified competition for limited stock. Supply chain disruptions, exacerbated by labor strikes at East and Gulf Coast ports, further strained availability, prompting buyers to expedite shipments, particularly through the West Coast.
November saw prices rise as consumer confidence reached a 16-month high, and proactive purchasing ahead of anticipated supply disruptions during the festive season added upward pressure. The fear of a mid-January labor strike and potential tariff increases further motivated early purchases. In December, strong demand, preemptive stockpiling due to concerns over a potential ILA strike and steep tariff hikes on Chinese imports, coupled with easing interest rates, fueled price hikes.
The overall trend in Q4 reflects heightened market uncertainty, proactive buying strategies, and supply chain challenges, collectively driving Levodopa prices higher throughout the quarter.
Asia Pacific
In Q4 2024, Levodopa prices in China showed a general upward trend, with slight fluctuations driven by multiple factors. In October, prices increased due to China's manufacturing sector’s growth, spurred by government stimulus, boosting both domestic and export demand. The depreciation of the yuan also made exports more affordable, enhancing international demand. November continued this upward momentum as factory activity expanded, driven by a surge in new orders, including from international markets. Rising raw material costs contributed to higher production expenses, which were passed onto consumers. The weakened yuan further supported export demand, maintaining upward pressure on prices. However, in December, prices stabilized, supported by steady demand from the pharmaceutical and healthcare sectors, as manufacturers maintained regular production levels in anticipation of the Chinese Lunar New Year. Inventory planning and consistent purchasing from foreign buyers helped maintain a stable export volume. Overall, Q4 saw a positive price movement for Levodopa, driven by economic growth, export demand, and raw material cost pressures.
Europe
In Q4 2024, Levodopa prices in Germany saw a notable upward trend due to a combination of supply chain challenges, increased demand, and macroeconomic factors. In October, the improvement in business morale, supported by reduced interest rates by the European Central Bank, sparked optimism and increased consumer confidence. This, alongside preemptive inventory stocking in anticipation of slower holiday-season trade, heightened the pressure on prices. By November, a surge in demand from the pharmaceutical and healthcare sectors, coupled with inventory buildup before the holiday period, pushed prices higher. Additionally, a weaker euro and rising freight costs, spurred by increased shipping rates, compounded the situation. In December, steady demand from key industries, combined with worsening congestion at European ports and the ongoing impact of a weak euro, further drove up prices. Despite these pressures, broader economic uncertainties led to cautious market behavior, slightly tempering the price hike. Throughout the quarter, logistical inefficiencies and supply-side constraints played a pivotal role in pushing Levodopa prices upward,
