For the Quarter Ending March 2022
North America
Potassium Benzoate prices surged in North America during the 1st quarter of 2022, backed by firm downstream demand and increased upstream cost. As the demand from food and beverage industries enhanced, so did Potassium Benzoate prices. Meanwhile, the prices of upstream Benzene witnessed consistent rise in the entire quarter, which consequently led to a price hike in Potassium Benzoate. Furthermore, firm crude oil prices, augmented logistic charges, congested ports, cargoes shortage, and continued labor shortage amid Russia-Ukraine war tensions exacerbated the price value of Potassium Benzoate. Conclusively, in the USA, the prices of Potassium Benzoate assembled at USD 2382/MT CFR Texas in January, which inclined to USD 3388/MT in February CFR Texas.
Asia Pacific
The Asia-Pacific region witnessed a complete reversal from the Potassium Benzoate trend in North America; the prices of Potassium Benzoate were declining throughout the quarter in countries like India. The reason behind the dropped price value of Potassium benzoate was a sufficient level of inventories to cater to the overall demand. Meanwhile, the demand for potassium Benzoate from end-user industries was stable, and due to market competitiveness, the prices declined gradually during the entire quarter. In the Indian domestic market, the evaluated prices of Potassium Benzoate at Ex-Mumbai were USD 3711.14/MT during January, which escalated to USD 3373.52/MT in March.
Europe
The Potassium Benzoate market in Europe mimicked the North American market and showcased a soaring pricing trend during Q1-2022. The prices of Potassium Benzoate increased in domestic marketing owing to escalated consumption of the same in the Food and Beverages industries. Besides, surged price value of feedstock Benzoic Acid further propelled the prices of Potassium Benzoate. In addition, continued transport restrictions incremented crude oil prices, and logistic charges amidst Russia-Ukraine war tensions added to the already augmented price value of Potassium Benzoate. Hence, the prices of Potassium Benzoate in Germany settled at USD 3429/MT CFR Hamburg during the month of January, which inclined further till March.
For the quarter Ending December 2021
North America
In North America, the costs of Potassium Benzoate declined in the US domestic market during the final quarter of 2021.Low purchasing esteem and deteriorating demand resulted in such trajectory. Feedstock Benzoic acid prices were also fell in the domestic market, Benzene exports to regions like China and Europe, which fell by practically 83% from October to November because of drawn out supply length due, which upheld the descending direction of the value pattern of Benzoic Acid in the country. Benzoic Acid costs diminished from USD 4762/MT to USD 4326/MT CFR Texas from October to December. Downstream preservative market was also affected by low purchases and feeble demand from the consumer's end.
Asia Pacific
In this quarter, the prices Potassium Benzoate slipped with the succeeding months of last quarter of 2021. On the back of feeble raw material cost amid weak offtakes from the domestic market, Potassium Benzoate price has slipped effectively. It was observed that Benzoic acid prices has dip by more than 4.2% within two months, affecting price of downstream Potassium Benzoate in the country. In October, the prices of Potassium Benzoate in India observed to be $4228/ton Ex-Kolkata and at the end of the quarter the prices were slipped to $4046/ton Ex-Kolkata where prices slipped by more than 4%. Feedstock Benzoic prices were also slipped in this quarter with oversupplies of the product in the countries mainly India and China.
Europe
In Q4, the prices of Potassium Benzoate in Europe remain affected with low purchasing activities and effected market sentiments. High inventories among the enterprises increases the existing stocks of the products which created pressure on them to sell the stocks in the regional market. However, the exorbitant cargo charges and delayed port blockage kept on hampering the market opinions of Potassium Benzoate in the region.
For the Quarter Ending September 2021
North America
In the North America region, the Potassium Benzoate market sentiments remained high in the third quarter, owing to the seasonal increase in demand from downstream end users during the third quarter of 2021. In US, Potassium Benzoate prices rose significantly in Q3 2021, owing to increased demand from the Beverage industry. Moreover, scarcity of the feedstock Benzoic Acid in the region as an impact of Ida hurricane also led to the increment in the prices of Potassium Benzoate in this timeframe. Hence, in the North America, the prices of Potassium Benzoate witnessed an upward rally throughout the quarter.
Asia
In Asia, the market sentiments of Potassium Benzoate remained firm during the third quarter of 2021 due to the heavy demand for food preservatives. In India, the Potassium Benzoate prices soared in this quarter amid speculative restocking of the product owing to its high demand. However, traders remained cautious over a significant increment in its prices as it can hurt the flow of the present offtakes. Moreover, since demand for food preservatives gradual declines during winter season, most of the traders eyed to clear maximum cargoes in between its lucrative demand. In addition, the exorbitant freight charges also sent ripples to the values of Potassium Benzoate. Henceforth, Ex Kolkata prices rose to USD 4202.62 per MT from USD 4157.25/MT during the timeframe of July to September.
Europe
In Europe, the prices of Potassium Benzoate witnessed an upward trajectory similarly as other regions during the third quarter of 2021. An uprise in the pricing trend was witnessed due to improvement in the demand outlook after the resurgence in the market activities. In addition, spike in the values of feedstock Benzoic Acid also contributed to the inflation in the prices of Potassium Benzoate in Europe. Besides, spiraling freight charges and delayed imports also led to hike in the prices of Potassium Benzoate in Q3.
For the Quarter Ending June 2021
North America
Potassium Benzoate market in North America witnessed sturdy offtakes during this quarter, taking support from the seasonal rise in demand from the downstream end users. During Q2 2021, prices of Potassium Benzoate rose consistently, as the demand from the beverages surged. The hike in prices gained further momentum from the shortage of feedstock Benzoic Acid in USA. Moreover, feed additives segment also bolstered the prices of preservatives. Therefore, week over week, marginal rise was observed in Potassium Benzoate prices during this quarter in USA.
Asia
Potassium Benzoate demand-maintained stability throughout the quarter across APAC region, backed by stable offtakes from end users. In China, recovery in economic activities led to a price hike in various commodities. Meanwhile in India, despite of resurgence in pandemic cases in the country, Potassium Benzoate prices kept tracing upward trajectory throughout the quarter. The demand rose effectively due to seasonal surge in preservatives sector especially from the beverage segment post arrival of summer season in the country. In addition, consistent offtakes from the feed additives sector also bolstered this price hike. Thus, prices eventually reached USD 4057/MT in India during June.
Europe
European market sustained sturdiness in demand for Potassium Benzoate during this timeframe. The demand from the downstream preservative segment remained firm, especially from the feed additive segment of Europe, which supported the overall upward price trajectory of Potassium Benzoate across the region. In addition, rise in feedstock Benzoic Acid prices also supported this upward price trend. However, uncertainties due to Covid pandemic also accelerated the demand for Potassium Benzoate, as manufacturers aimed to increase their product shelf life.
For the Quarter Ending March 2021
North America
The demand for Potassium Benzoate demonstrated strong fundamentals across North America, during Q1 2021. US food preservative sector were running high bolstered by climate calamity across the gulf coast. However, several plant outages across the US gulf affected the supply activity of feedstock chemicals like Benzoic acid, that increased its prices marginally during Q1 2021. Thereby, overall prices-maintained stability and encountered a marginal growth till the end of March 2021. Despite of lower output of upstream materials, the supply remained substantially adequate, as the imports from Asian countries performed consistently well. In addition, rapid vaccination drive in USA also supported the market sentiments.
Asia
The Asian market met with mixed responses, as the preservatives segment continued to expand in several Asian countries, including India. In the Chinese market, the preservatives segment demonstrated consistent growth following the COVID 19 recovery. The price of Potassium Benzoate in the Indian market increased during February due to shortage, amid lower supply from China, which later came back to normal till the mid of the March. However, as the month of March came to a close, traders began to anticipate a surge in Potassium Benzoate prices in the coming month, as COVID cases were rising exponentially in India. Thus, the prices hovered around USD 4647/MT during the mid of February in India.
Europe
Potassium Benzoate was in high demand in Europe during the quarter, owing to the second wave of COVID 19 as well as post-recovery. Despite of congestion across major trade routes, traders were able to secure Potassium Benzoate stocks and the feedstock benzoic acid from the international market. However, owing to soaring shipping cost and a scarcity of containers, the shipments became more expensive month after month. Thus, the prices Potassium Benzoate demonstrated a marginal rise till the end of March ending.
For the Quarter Ending December 2020
Asia
Potassium Benzoate market experienced a stable growth across the APAC region during Q4 2020. The growth was driven by significant recovery of the service sector and industrial sector from COVID-19 induced slowdown. In addition, the festive season boosted the consumption of food products and deserts, which increased the demand of preservative Potassium Benzoate. Increased demand led to slight increment in prices of Potassium Benzoate. In India, the price of Potassium Benzoate rose from USD 3902.6 /tonne (October 2020) to USD 3946.4 /tonne (December 2020) on Ex-Depot basis.
North America
Potassium Benzoate market of North America region remained low during October 2020. But the festivals and holidays during winter lifted the market sentiments. Festivals like Halloween, thanksgiving and Christmas led to increase in demand of food products and preservative Potassium Benzoate. Although the supply remained tight, due to reduced feedstock Benzoic Acid production as an effect of multiple hurricanes across the gulf coast demand remained balanced from the downstream derivative markets.
Europe
In Europe, most of the preservative Potassium Benzoate is used for animal feed. This is because many European countries have restricted the consumption of Potassium Benzoate by children. During Q4 2020, animal feed production remained low due spread of animal diseases like “African swine fever” in some European countries. That reduced the consumption of preservative Potassium Benzoate across the region. Several traders highlighted that high freight charges and container shortages from Asia tightened the traded volumes, thereby impacting the material availability in the region.
