For the Quarter Ending December 2022
North America
Ulexite levels have been steadily growing in North America throughout Q4. Prices have been impacted by a lack of upstream Boron supply in the early months of the year due to lesser import volumes, lower inventory levels, and reduced refinery operating rates. Ulexite prices in the United States were supported by growing crude oil prices. Moreover, during the quarter, supply chain issues contributed to the burdens of both producers and procurers. Prices have risen due to strong demand from the end user industries in abrasion or others. Ulexite FOB Savannah (USA) during December was assessed at USD 798/MT.
APAC
The fourth quarter of 2022 saw a downward pricing trend in the APAC region's Ulexite market. Ulexite's market sentiments have been impacted by the rise in COVID instances in the Chinese market, as demand for this product has dwindled as a result of lockdown restrictions. The lack of demand in the spot market and the excess supply coming from the growing regions put pressure on the price of Ulexite. The slowdown in economic activity put pressure on the Asian market. Additionally, the Ulexite downstream market also saw a decline in market transactions.
Europe
In the fourth quarter of 2022, prices for Ulexite in the European region exhibited an increasing price trajectory with small volatility. Prices were higher at the start of Q4 due to the strong demand as contrasted to the supply side's accumulated stock. The feedstock Boron remained robust, which raised the operational cost rate. At the end of Q4, the general price trend was observed to be on the rise. However, low freight prices and a large supply of available containers made logistics easy in the fourth quarter.
For the Quarter Ending September 2022
North America
Ulexite prices rose this quarter in the USA due to increased demand from downstream sectors brought on by solid demand from packaging and other end-use fertilizer areas. The pulp and paper industry's enormous demand has led to an expansion of the Ulexite market and increased prices. In addition, growing input prices have driven the product's price on the local market. Low inventories and high agricultural offtakes to meet the demand to alleviate the boron shortfall have increased the product's price. Prices for Ulexite were anticipated to be USD 780/MT in September.
APAC
Ulexite prices have risen sharply in the third quarter of 2022, owing to increased demand from the glass fiber and ceramic industries. The commodity price has increased due to increased offtakes with low supplies on the global market. The product's demand has grown internationally on the back of the agriculture sector's requirements. Owing to a surge in orders from the agricultural sectors due to its use as fertilizer to address the boron shortage, the price of Ulexite has grown in India's domestic market. Ulexite's market value in the Indian domestic market has expanded due to the significant demand from the paper and pulp sector. Increased offtakes have driven the need for Ulexite from the agriculture sector to treat the boron deficit.
Europe
Ulexite costs rose in the European region in the third quarter of 2022. The manufacturing process has also been hampered by rising upstream natural gas prices. Ulexite manufacturers now have many more opportunities on the market thanks to fundamental changes in demand in the glass, fiber, and fertilizer industries. The agricultural sector has seen a substantial increase in the need for Ulexite due to its use in treating various plant species' deficiencies of boron, a mineral crucial for plant growth. The product price has dramatically escalated because of the limited inventory levels and high market demand.
For the Quarter Ending June 2022
North America
In North America, the price of Ulexite increased throughout the Q2 of 2022, backed by an increase in demand from the end-use industries, including glass fibers and ceramic industries used as a source of forming an ultra-gloss transparent glass. In the first half of Q2, even though Ulexite prices are typically stable, present market conditions have a lot of volatility. In the second half of Q2, the fundamentals of demand for the product from the glass and fibers, fertilizers, and sectors have greatly increased the opportunities for producers in the Ulexite market. Additionally, the price of packaging and processing has gone up along with the cost of energy like natural gas, which is to blame for the increase in Ulexite's domestic market pricing in the USA.
Asia Pacific
In Asia-Pacific Region, the price of Ulexite increased throughout the Q2 of 2022, backed by an increase in demand from the to an increase in demand from the agricultural sectors as it is used as a fertilizer to cure the deficiency of Boron. In the first half of Q2, it is estimated that, unlike other extremely soluble borates, Ulexite induces a slow Boron release coherent with the slow uptake of Boron required by plants. In the second half of Q2, the tremendous demand from the paper and pulp industry has also boosted the market value of Ulexite in the Indian domestic market.
Europe
In Europe, the price of Ulexite fluctuated throughout the Q2 of 2022 due to the unpredictable market dynamics. In the first half of Q2, the prices increased in the first month due to high demand and the source of slow-release Boron for use in agricultural applications. In the first half of Q2, the use of Ulexite increased as ulexite 2-4 mm is a greyish granular substance, and it was directly used on crops or soil or in a fertilizer mixture. However, the prices were on a downward trajectory in the second month of the quarter, backed by a consistent increase in price, thus, decreasing the demand. Moreover, in the last month of the quarter, the prices increased due to the high input cost and the rise in raw materials price, mainly Boron. Thus, the price of the product remained fluctuated throughout the quarter.
