For the Quarter Ending March 2026
Petroleum Jelly Prices in North America
- In United States, the Petroleum Jelly Price Index rose quarter-over-quarter in Q1 2026, driven by surging feedstock costs.
- The Petroleum Jelly Production Cost Trend increased in March 2026 as the Producer Price Index rose 4.0% year-over-year.
- Consumer Price Index inflation reached 3.3% in March 2026, reflecting escalated vacuum gas oil costs during Q1 2026.
- The Manufacturing Index expanded in March 2026, stimulating the Petroleum Jelly Demand Outlook across industrial lubricant applications.
- Retail sales grew 4.0% in March 2026, supporting steady consumer off-take while pharmaceutical demand stabilized in March 2026.
- Industrial production grew 0.7% and unemployment remained at 4.3% in March 2026, sustaining baseline household income levels.
- Domestic base oil feedstock inventories tightened in January 2026, prompting downstream manufacturers to accumulate inventory in March 2026.
- US export volumes expanded in February 2026, while the Petroleum Jelly Price Forecast reflected January 2026 supply tightening.
Why did the price of Petroleum Jelly change in March 2026 in North America?
- Base oil feedstock costs surged in March 2026 due to severe global supply chain disruptions.
- Freight and insurance costs for imported feedstocks escalated sharply throughout the entire Q1 2026 period.
- US producers restricted spot export availability to prioritize domestic obligations during the March 2026 timeframe.
Petroleum Jelly Prices in APAC
- In China, the Petroleum Jelly Price Index rose quarter-over-quarter in Q1 2026, driven by surging upstream feedstock costs.
- The 0.5% Producer Price Index increase in March 2026 reflected an upward Petroleum Jelly Production Cost Trend.
- Industrial production grew 5.7% in March 2026, which directly strengthened the industrial-grade Petroleum Jelly Demand Outlook.
- The Manufacturing Index expanded in March 2026, which successfully increased consumption volumes for industrial-grade Petroleum Jelly.
- A 1.0% Consumer Price Index and 1.7% retail sales growth in March 2026 stabilized baseline consumer-grade demand.
- Unemployment reached 5.4% in March 2026 and consumer confidence hit 91.6 in February 2026, dampening cosmetic-grade demand.
- Global crude oil and Asian base oil feedstock costs surged in Q1 2026, significantly inflating production expenses.
- Refined product imports surged in March 2026 amid domestic supply constraints, shaping the Petroleum Jelly Price Forecast.
Why did the price of Petroleum Jelly change in March 2026 in APAC?
- Base oil feedstock inventories tightened in Q1 2026 as refiners prioritized highly profitable middle diesel production.
- Domestic refinery throughput weakened in March 2026, which severely limited base oil availability for Petroleum Jelly.
- Global crude oil prices surged in March 2026 following geopolitical disruptions located in the Strait of Hormuz.
Petroleum Jelly Prices in Europe
- In Germany, the Petroleum Jelly Price Index rose quarter-over-quarter in Q1 2026, driven by feedstock costs.
- The Petroleum Jelly Production Cost Trend increased in February 2026 as crude oil feedstock surged.
- The Petroleum Jelly Demand Outlook weakened in March 2026 as the German Manufacturing Index contracted.
- Consumer Petroleum Jelly demand declined in March 2026, aligning with a 2.0% retail sales drop.
- The Petroleum Jelly Price Forecast reflected upward pressures in March 2026 due to supply curtailments.
- Industrial Petroleum Jelly consumption stayed flat in February 2026, mirroring the 0.0% industrial production rate.
- Refining costs pushed Petroleum Jelly prices higher in March 2026, correlating with 2.7% year-over-year CPI.
- Packaging costs for Petroleum Jelly stabilized in March 2026, reflected by negative 0.2% year-over-year PPI.
- Cosmetic Petroleum Jelly sales dropped in March 2026 as consumer confidence plummeted to negative 24.7.
- Basic Petroleum Jelly demand stayed resilient in March 2026 despite a stable 4.0% unemployment rate.
Why did the price of Petroleum Jelly change in March 2026 in Europe?
- Petroleum Jelly prices rose in March 2026 because global oil supply plummeted amid geopolitical conflicts.
- Refining margins for Petroleum Jelly surged in Q1 2026 as middle distillate cracks reached highs.
- Feedstock costs for Petroleum Jelly spiked in February 2026 following severe Middle Eastern infrastructure attacks.
For the Quarter Ending December 2025
Petroleum Jelly Prices in North America
- In United States, Petroleum Jelly Price Index rose quarter-over-quarter in Q4 2025, driven by robust consumer and industrial demand.
- Petroleum Jelly production costs faced upward pressure from a 3.0% Producer Price Index increase in November 2025.
- Industrial production rose 2.0% in December 2025, strengthening Petroleum Jelly demand in industrial applications.
- Consumer demand for Petroleum Jelly in personal care products inched up in December 2025.
- Retail sales rose 3.3% in November 2025, supporting consumer spending for Petroleum Jelly end-uses.
- Petroleum Jelly feedstock costs weakened in November 2025 as crude oil prices significantly declined.
- Shorter-term inflationary pressures eased in December 2025, partly due to lower energy prices.
- OECD on-land petroleum stocks tightened in October 2025, indicating reduced refined product availability.
- A 4.4% unemployment rate and 89.1 consumer confidence index in December 2025 supported spending.
Why did the price of Petroleum Jelly change in December 2025 in North America?
- Strong consumer spending, with retail sales up 3.3% in November 2025, boosted demand.
- Industrial production rose 2.0% in December 2025, increasing Petroleum Jelly demand in industrial applications.
- Crude oil feedstock costs weakened in November 2025, easing production cost pressures.
Petroleum Jelly Prices in APAC
- In China, the Petroleum Jelly Price Index fell in Q4 2025, influenced by weakened crude oil prices and subdued consumer spending.
- Production costs for Petroleum Jelly declined in Q4 2025, driven by weakened global crude oil prices throughout 2025.
- Industrial production increased 5.2% year-over-year in December 2025, providing mixed demand signals.
- Consumer-driven demand faced headwinds in Q4 2025; retail sales grew 0.9% year-over-year in December.
- The Manufacturing Index expanded in December 2025, indicating growth in overall manufacturing activity.
- Global observed oil inventories rose to four-year highs in October 2025, impacting Q4 2025 supply dynamics.
- China's goods exports showed strong growth in 2025, while import performance remained flat.
- The paraffin wax market in Asia accelerated in Q4 2025, supported by expanding plastics and polymer industries.
- Petroleum Jelly prices were assessed at USD 2260/ MT in Q4.
Why did the price of Petroleum Jelly change in December 2025 in APAC?
- Weakened global crude oil prices throughout 2025 reduced Petroleum Jelly production costs.
- Consumer Price Index (CPI) increased 0.8% year-over-year in December 2025, indicating weak demand.
- Producer Price Index (PPI) declined 1.9% year-over-year in December 2025, suggesting lower industrial input costs.
- Europe
- In Germany, the Petroleum Jelly Price Index fell quarter-over-quarter in Q4 2025, influenced by declining feedstock costs.
- Petroleum Jelly production costs declined during Q4 2025, driven by falling Brent crude oil prices.
- The Petroleum Jelly demand outlook was mixed in Q4 2025, with subdued consumer activity in Germany.
- Germany's Manufacturing Index was contracting in December 2025, indicating reduced industrial demand for inputs.
- Industrial production in Germany increased by 0.8% year-over-year in October 2025, providing some demand support.
- Retail sales in Germany rose by 1.1% year-over-year in November 2025, supporting consumer-facing applications.
- Global oil inventories continued to rise in Q4 2025, contributing to ample supply conditions.
- Consumer confidence in Germany remained low at -17.5 in December 2025, impacting discretionary spending.
- The Petroleum Jelly Price Index faced downward pressure due to a -2.5% year-over-year PPI decline in December 2025.
- European refining margins slumped in December 2025, further impacting the cost structure for petroleum jelly.
Why did the price of Petroleum Jelly change in December 2025 in Europe?
- Producer prices in Germany fell by 2.5% year-over-year in December 2025, reducing input costs.
- Brent crude oil prices declined throughout Q4 2025, lowering feedstock expenses for petroleum jelly.
- Consumer activity remained subdued in Germany during Q4 2025, dampening overall demand.
For the Quarter Ending September 2025
North America
- In United States, the Petroleum Jelly Price Index rose quarter-over-quarter in Q3 2025, driven by increased production costs.
- Petroleum Jelly production costs increased in Q3 2025, influenced by a 2.6% rise in August 2025 PPI and strengthened refinery margins.
- Consumer-grade Petroleum Jelly demand was supported by 5.42% retail sales growth and 4.3% unemployment in September 2025.
- Industrial Petroleum Jelly demand saw weak growth, with industrial production up only 0.1% in September 2025.
- Pharmaceutical sector demand for Petroleum Jelly was robust in Q3 2025 due to increased US FDA drug approvals.
- Petroleum Jelly price trends are expected to remain firm, supported by persistent cost pressures and stable crude oil prices.
- US crude oil inventories remained constrained in Q3 2025, notably below the seasonal five-year average, impacting supply.
- Consumer confidence declined to 94.2 in September 2025, alongside 3.0% CPI, eroding purchasing power for discretionary demand.
Why did the price of Petroleum Jelly change in September 2025 in North America?
- Rising production costs, with August 2025 PPI up 2.6%, pressured Petroleum Jelly prices.
- Strengthened US refinery margins in Q3 2025 increased feedstock costs for Petroleum Jelly production.
- Constrained US crude oil inventories in Q3 2025, below seasonal averages, impacted supply dynamics.
Europe
- In Germany, the Petroleum Jelly Price Index fell in Q3 2025, influenced by lower producer prices and contracting industrial activity.
- Petroleum Jelly production costs decreased due to a -1.7% year-on-year fall in producer prices in September 2025.
- European refining margins surged in September 2025, and Brent crude futures rose, impacting feedstock costs.
- Industrial demand for Petroleum Jelly was bearish, with industrial production down 1.0% in September 2025.
- The Manufacturing Index in Germany was contracting in Q3 2025, signaling reduced demand for industrial lubricants.
- Consumer demand for Petroleum Jelly remained stable in Q3 2025, despite 2.4% CPI inflation, supported by retail sales growth.
- A stable 6.3% unemployment rate in September 2025 and stabilizing consumer confidence supported consumer-grade demand.
- Growth in Germany's pharmaceutical and beauty markets in Q3 2025 positively influenced consumer-grade Petroleum Jelly demand.
- Global observed oil stocks increased in July and August 2025, contributing to higher overall inventory levels.
Why did the price of Petroleum Jelly change in September 2025 in Europe?
- Producer prices fell 1.7% in September 2025, lowering Petroleum Jelly raw material costs.
- Industrial production declined 1.0% in September 2025, weakening industrial demand.
- Refining margins surged, and Brent crude rose in September, affecting production costs.
APAC
- In China, the Petroleum Jelly Price Index fell in Q3 2025, influenced by contracting manufacturing and negative consumer price inflation.
- Petroleum Jelly production costs faced upward pressure from accelerated manufacturing input cost inflation in August and September 2025.
- Demand for Petroleum Jelly in consumer applications was dampened by -0.3% CPI and 89.6 consumer confidence in September 2025.
- Industrial demand for Petroleum Jelly was mixed; Manufacturing Index contracted, but industrial production grew 6.5% in September 2025.
- The Petroleum Jelly demand outlook for personal care and pharmaceutical sectors remains positive, with projected market growth in 2025.
- Crude oil prices were relatively stable in Q3 2025, but increased refinery margins impacted feedstock costs for Petroleum Jelly.
- Retail sales increased by 3.0% in September 2025, offering some support for Petroleum Jelly demand in consumer-facing products.
- Weak exports in August 2025 contributed to pressure on China's manufacturing sector, affecting overall industrial demand for Petroleum Jelly.
Why did the price of Petroleum Jelly change in September 2025 in APAC?
- Negative consumer price inflation of -0.3% in September 2025 reduced consumer purchasing power.
- The Manufacturing Index contracted in September 2025, signaling reduced industrial demand.
- Producer prices fell by -2.3% in September 2025, indicating reduced pricing power for producers.
