For the Quarter Ending September 2025
North America
• In the United States, the Povidone Price Index rose by 3.42% quarter-over-quarter, driven by rebound demand and supply tightness.
• The average Povidone price for the quarter was approximately USD 3480.00/MT, reflecting firmer import costs and restocking activity.
• Povidone Spot Price remained firm as imports surged and restocking cycles supported resilience amid ongoing port congestion delays.
• Povidone Price Forecast remains cautious, projecting limited downside risk with steady downstream demand across pharma, cosmetics, and related segments.
• Povidone Production Cost Trend stayed elevated due to higher feedstock prices and energy costs, supporting price stability at levels.
• Povidone Demand Outlook remains robust from pharma cosmetics and industrial sectors, underpinning steady buying activity through autumn.
• Povidone Price Index reflects logistics strains and tariff uncertainty, with intermittent bottlenecks raising landed costs.
• Povidone Spot Price volatility may ease as supply chains stabilize and freight rates normalize in Q4.
• Overall, market fundamentals point to sustained momentum amid steady demand and controlled supply expansion into year-end.
Why did the price of Povidone change in September 2025 in North America?
• Tariff reinstatements and front-loaded Chinese shipments heightened import costs in September.
• Robust downstream pharma demand and stockpiling limited fresh supply relief.
• Logistics bottlenecks and seasonal headwinds kept distribution costs elevated.
APAC
• In China, the povidone Price Index rose by 3.27% quarter-over-quarter in Q3 2025, due to sustained supply constraints globally.
• The average Povidone price for the quarter was approximately USD 3313.33/MT, reflecting exchange-rate volatility and freight costs this quarter.
• Povidone Spot Price movements reflected tighter supply, higher energy costs, and ongoing logistical constraints across APAC during Q3 2025.
• Povidone Price Forecast remains cautiously firm as downstream demand supports prices over the period in APAC markets this year.
• Povidone Production Cost Trend shows persistent feedstock and logistics pressure on margins, despite seasonal production cycles amid regulatory checks.
• Povidone Demand Outlook remains robust in pharma and personal care, supporting sustained drawdowns and forward buying strategies across regions.
• Povidone Price Index will reflect ongoing supply tightness and seasonal demand in Q4, guiding buy/sell decisions for traders globally.
Why did the price of Povidone change in September 2025 in APAC?
• Supply constraints from maintenance and port congestion reduced availability in September 2025.
• Rising feedstock and energy costs pressed margins while demand remained solid in pharma through September.
• Logistics bottlenecks and tariff uncertainties strongly supported price resilience in APAC exports.
Europe
• In Germany, the Povidone Price Index rose by 2.74% quarter-over-quarter, in Q3 2025, aided by import dependence and port bottlenecks, and elevated logistics costs.
• The average Povidone price for the quarter was approximately USD 3435/MT, on a quarterly basis.
• Povidone Spot Price trends reflected tight import supply and elevated freight costs influencing the Price Index, feedstock fluctuations.
• Povidone Production Cost Trend remained pressured by energy and logistics, steering wider margins for suppliers across Europe.
• Povidone Demand Outlook stayed robust across pharmaceutical and personal care sectors, supporting elevated pricing momentum in Europe.
• Povidone Price Forecast suggested sustained strength into Q4 2025 amid ongoing port delays and regional demand resilience.
• Povidone Spot Price volatility mirrored cross-border logistics and currency effects, complicating near-term procurement planning and risk.
Why did the price of Povidone change in September 2025 in Europe?
• Supply constraints and port congestion in Northern Europe raised import costs and lead times in September.
• Rising energy and freight costs continued to feed into Povidone Production Cost Trend across German supply chains.
• Firm pharmaceutical and cosmetics demand provided price support despite currency fluctuations and regional trade pressures.
For the Quarter Ending June 2025
North America:
• There existed a severe weakness in the price of U.S. Povidone in April 2025 due to global oversupply, high domestic inventories, and weak downstream demand—particularly from the pharmaceutical and food preservative industries.
• The sellers offered deep discounts to clear out overhangs against expected regulation and operation downtrends. The result was a clear buyer's market where transaction volumes were limited to strictly urgent buying.
• Lowering feedstock prices (specifically butanediol) and a stronger U.S. currency versus Asian currencies further reduced import costs, making U.S. arrivals even more competitive despite moderate freight uncertainty.
• Povidone Manufacturers in China and India continued aggressive production, anticipating a demand rebound that didn’t materialize in Q1. The resulting surplus was dumped into export markets like the U.S., intensifying price competition.
• In May 2025, import prices continued trending downward, despite higher freight rates and port congestion. U.S. buyers were reluctant to restock, relying on bloated Q1 inventories while anticipating further price corrections.
• Povidone Demand from pharmaceuticals, nutraceuticals, and personal care sectors remained sluggish through May. A contracting manufacturing index (PMI 48.5) and cautious consumer sentiment discouraged new orders.
• Mid-May tariff revisions (reduction from 145% to 30% on Chinese goods) led to temporary frontloading of shipments, increasing inventories further. However, this was followed by erratic purchasing patterns due to policy uncertainty.
• June 2025 marked the start of a price rebound, driven by seasonal demand recovery in the pharmaceutical and personal care sectors. Cosmetic formulators and OTC brands resumed stock replenishment for summer formulations, thereby supporting a modest upward trend with prices settling at USD 3375/MT CFR Houston.
• Tighter regional supply, production cutbacks in Asia, and upstream feedstock cost increases contributed to firmer price fundamentals in June. Importers showed willingness to absorb price hikes given improved logistics reliability.
• The Q3 2025 outlook is cautiously bullish, with expectations of further price increases amid sustained seasonal demand, global supply tightening, and continued geopolitical trade and logistics uncertainty.
Asia Pacific:
• April began with continued price erosion, driven by fragile global demand, particularly from Europe and Southeast Asia. Key buyers hesitated amid high inventory levels and muted downstream activity in pharmaceuticals and food sectors. Even minor logistical hiccups in Chinese ports couldn’t arrest the decline, as export sentiment remained bearish. Weak feedstock butanediol prices further enabled exporters to reduce offers.
• Povidone Manufacturing remained stable in April, with production units in Jiangsu and Shandong running uninterrupted. Low input costs and smooth inland logistics supported operational efficiency. While this bolstered internal supply chains, it led to accelerated inventory buildup overseas due to tepid procurement.
• Povidone Demand remained subdued, with overseas buyers opting for minimal procurement, wary of macroeconomic pressures, currency volatility, and delayed regulatory approvals in the pharma segment. Contract renewals dropped significantly, with a preference for short-term buying or deferred deliveries.
• May sustained the downward trend as previously stocked Povidone inventories remained largely unconsumed. Demand across pharmaceuticals, nutraceuticals, and food sectors remained sluggish, reinforcing the weak market. Buyers delayed new orders, waiting for a price floor.
• On the supply side, low butanediol and upstream input costs in May kept production cheap and uninterrupted, but this oversupply pressured prices. Export competitiveness dipped slightly due to a marginal yuan appreciation, forcing exporters to undercut prices or offer flexible terms.
• Procurement remained minimal as end-users, especially pharmaceutical and personal care firms—focused on inventory liquidation. Budgetary restrictions, low retail demand, and high freight costs further depressed global offtake.
• June marked a sharp reversal as Chinese export prices spiked amid a sudden cost-push inflation. Feedstock prices surged steadily due to environmental audits, energy price hikes, and tighter supply of gamma-Butyrolactone (GBL). This constrained manufacturing output, triggering bullish price movement for Povidone with values assembled at USD 3200/MT FOB Shanghai.
• Operational disruptions in June—including scheduled plant maintenance, monsoon flooding, and stricter emission norms—curtailed production in major hubs. Logistic issues and delayed shipments compounded the tight supply situation, allowing smaller suppliers to dominate the market with high price quotes.
• Povidone Demand rebounded strongly in June, particularly from pharmaceuticals in Europe, India, and ASEAN. Restocking cycles aligned with seasonal production runs in cosmetics and food preservation, resulting in synchronized global buying. This, combined with geopolitical volatility and freight uncertainty, kept prices on a sharp upward trajectory.
• Povidone Q3 2025 outlook remains cautiously firm, with prices likely to remain elevated unless upstream supply bottlenecks ease or freight pressures normalize. Buyer behavior in the upcoming quarter will largely hinge on stability in raw material pricing, plant operating rates, and regional demand momentum.
Europe:
• April began with continued bearish pricing momentum, driven by persistent global oversupply, especially from China and India. Importers in Germany were holding elevated inventories from Q1, leading to destocking at discounted rates. Subdued downstream demand due to post-Easter seasonality and economic caution further pressured prices.
• Weaker procurement activity from pharmaceutical and food sectors, alongside a structural shift towards clean-label ingredients, suppressed fresh orders. Traders struggled to move material, despite lower prices and favorable freight rates from Asia. The strengthening Euro helped lower landed costs but did not improve overall market sentiment.
• In May, Povidone import prices declined further as rerouted Chinese cargoes (originally meant for the U.S. market) flooded Europe following temporary U.S. tariffs. This redirected supply overwhelmed German ports like Hamburg and Rotterdam, where congestion slowed customs clearance and made buyers wary of new purchases.
• High pre-Labour Day stockpiling in April across Germany and nearby EU regions led to minimal fresh procurement in May. Logistical bottlenecks at North European ports and excess inventory forced suppliers to offer steep price reductions to stimulate movement, yet buying interest remained muted.
• Raw material prices, especially butanediol, weakened in May, lowering production costs. However, this benefit was offset by poor downstream demand, particularly in pharmaceutical and food manufacturing sectors. Buyers preferred to draw from stock, anticipating further price drops.
• June marked a reversal of pricing, with steady upward movement in Povidone import prices. Feedstock butanediol prices rose globally due to energy inflation and tighter environmental norms, notably in China, prompting cost pass-throughs by Asian exporters.
• Severe logistical disruptions in Germany—including congestion at Hamburg and Bremerhaven ports, low Rhine water levels, and container shortages—led to rising inland haulage costs and delayed deliveries. These pressures inflated landed costs, supporting higher price points.
• A strong demand rebound in June from pharmaceutical, food, and nutraceutical sectors helped absorb increased prices. Restocking efforts accelerated in anticipation of Q3 needs, especially from pharma players prioritizing compliance and high-purity excipients with prices for povidone assembled at USD 3360/MT CFR Hamburg.
• Broader chemical industry demand also contributed to stronger offtake, particularly in coatings and construction-linked applications. Germany’s domestic production remained limited, so reliance on imports further amplified price sensitivity to global shifts.
• Q3 outlook for Povidone in Germany remains cautiously bullish, contingent on whether logistical inefficiencies persist and raw material inflation continues. However, any easing of global freight disruptions or softening of feedstock prices could cap the current upward momentum.
For the Quarter Ending March 2025
North America
In Q1 2025, the U.S. Povidone market continued to experience a downward price trend due to weakening demand and oversupply. In January, the market saw a decline in prices driven by excess inventory and reduced purchasing activity, especially within the pharmaceutical sector. Despite improved manufacturing conditions and falling feedstock costs, the market remained oversupplied as production levels were not adjusted to align with demand, leading to weak buying sentiment and stagnant market dynamics.
February saw a continuation of the price decline, exacerbated by factors such as increased inventory levels, economic uncertainty, and a weakened U.S. dollar. Early stockpiling before the Chinese Lunar New Year holiday added to the oversupply, while reduced freight rates and competitive pricing from Chinese imports put further pressure on domestic producers to lower prices. The cautious approach of downstream industries, particularly pharmaceuticals and food sectors, led to subdued purchasing activity, reinforcing the downward pricing trend.
Looking ahead, the outlook for Q2 2025 remains bearish, with high inventories and weak demand continuing to put downward pressure on prices. The competitive landscape, driven by international imports, particularly from China, suggests that the market will likely maintain its oversupply situation, with little immediate prospect for recovery in the short term.
Asia Pacific
The Povidone market in China experienced continued price pressure throughout Q1 2025, extending the bearish trend from late 2024. In January, weak demand from both domestic and international markets, coupled with high inventory levels, pushed prices lower. The Lunar New Year holiday further disrupted industrial activity, while geopolitical uncertainty and potential tariff changes created additional challenges. China's producer prices dropped 2.3% year-over-year in January, reflecting broader deflationary trends that affected the Povidone market.
In February, the downward trend continued as reduced overseas orders and oversupply conditions intensified. Many importing nations had stockpiled inventory in late 2024, leading to limited procurement activity. This created a buyer’s market, prompting Chinese manufacturers to lower prices to clear excess stock. The Lunar New Year holiday continued to impact production and trade, and ongoing trade restrictions, particularly with the U.S., further strained export opportunities. The steady decline in Butanediol (BDO) prices, a key raw material for Povidone production, also contributed to the price reductions.
By March, the market remained subdued, with only modest recovery in demand from the pharmaceutical and food sectors. However, high inventory levels, muted demand from key international markets, and global economic uncertainties kept prices under pressure. The Povidone market in Q1 2025 faced significant challenges, and without a substantial demand rebound or supply-side adjustments, prices are expected to remain weak in the near term.
Europe
The German Povidone market experienced a persistent downward price trend throughout Q1 2025, driven by weak demand and favorable supply-side dynamics. Key industries, particularly pharmaceuticals and food & beverages, exhibited sluggish procurement, exacerbated by cautious consumer sentiment and macroeconomic uncertainties, including upcoming national elections. This subdued demand, coupled with reduced purchasing power in the Eurozone, led to price corrections, especially in January when economic contraction further dampened market activity.
Supply conditions in Q1 were more favorable, with increased production capacity, stable import volumes, and reduced logistical constraints contributing to enhanced product availability. Lower ocean freight rates, which fell by 50% in early February, facilitated more cost-effective imports, intensifying market competition and further driving down prices. However, with ample inventory levels and limited orders from buyers, sellers prioritized stock clearance rather than expanding production, reinforcing the downward price trajectory.
Looking ahead, unless there is a notable increase in demand from key industries or significant supply-side adjustments, Povidone prices are expected to remain under pressure. The overall market outlook for Q2 2025 is bearish, with persistent weakness in demand likely to keep prices low unless external factors trigger a recovery in procurement activity.
For the Quarter Ending December 2024
North America
The U.S. Povidone market in Q4 2024 exhibited bearish tendencies witnessing a continuously weakened demand side. Manufacturing activity across the region in the end-user sectors continued to remain in contraction territory, though showing marginal improvement from previous periods.
Moreover, ahead of the weather disruption and pre-election uncertainties compounded market hesitancy, particularly affecting the trade outlook from the key producing nations including those from China. However, despite this, the U.S. market witnessed significant inventory accumulation among suppliers, coupled with diminished demand from crucial downstream industries including food preservatives, pharmaceutical, and healthcare segments. Market competitiveness intensified due to increased pressure from Chinese imports, characterized by lower production sentiments ahead of the holiday season and reduced market activity. This international competition exerted downward pressure on domestic pricing structures. Procurement activities remained subdued as buyers adopted a wait-and-watch approach, particularly concerning potential policy changes. Despite minor improvements in employment figures as the year approaches toward end, production and demand metrics failed to meet projected targets. The culmination of these factors led to conservative trading patterns and a predominantly pessimistic market outlook for the remaining fiscal period.
Asia Pacific
Moving forward towards the fourth quarter of 2024, across the Apac region, particularly from the Chinese market, the Povidone market faced a range of challenges stemming from both supply and demand dynamics. The market transitioned from scarcity to surplus, primarily driven by aggressive inventory reduction initiatives and diminished logistics expenses. This oversupply scenario coincided with weakened downstream demand, particularly evident in the food and beverage sector's cautious procurement patterns. The reduction in global freight costs facilitated competitive pricing strategies, though this simultaneously intensified price competition among global producers. The market dynamics were further complicated by expanded domestic production capacity implemented in anticipation of winter seasonal demand. Despite governmental economic stimulus measures, demand recovery remained sluggish with minimal improvement in buyer sentiment. Export performance deteriorated in November, reflecting broader trade weakness and subdued import activities. The market faced additional pressure from elevated inventory levels, creating a pronounced supply-demand disparity. Geopolitical factors, including potential tariff implementations and currency volatility, contributed to market uncertainty, compelling Chinese suppliers to implement aggressive pricing strategies through year-end.
Europe
In Q4 2024, Germany's Povidone market faced continued price declines driven by weak downstream demand and an unfavorable cost environment. Weakened demand, especially in the preservative sector, prompted buyers to focus on essential procurement while keeping inventories lean. The euro's depreciation exacerbated challenges by making imports more expensive, limiting new orders, and contributing to bearish market sentiment. Additionally, the manufacturing sector showed signs of slow recovery, with the Manufacturing PMI improving slightly from 40.6 in September to 43 in October, signaling a less aggressive contraction, though competition remained fierce. Global pricing trends, influenced by lower input costs from APAC exporters and reduced feedstock prices like butanediol, also pressured prices further. High inventory levels, coupled with restrained purchasing, created an oversupply situation, prompting suppliers to implement aggressive pricing strategies to clear stock. Despite seasonal supply chain disruptions, including port delays and workforce shortages, these issues did not significantly impact the market due to muted downstream procurement. By December, Germany's Manufacturing PMI dropped to 42.5, reflecting continued weak demand and production cuts. The economic backdrop of rising inflation and weakened business confidence further strained market conditions. As a result, the Povidone market remained firmly in buyers’ favor, with supply outstripping demand, and suppliers resorted to price reductions and flexible supply chain strategies to navigate the oversupply and low demand.
