For the Quarter Ending March 2025
North America
The Vitamin B9 market in North America posted a steady price increase in the first quarter of 2025, with average prices rising by around 12.66% compared to the previous quarter. This upward shift started in December due to higher winter demand for folic acid supplements and carried forward into the new year. Limited stock availability from late 2024 created a need for aggressive procurement as the quarter opened.
Buyers not only placed fresh orders to support ongoing production cycles but also moved to build extra inventory to guard against any possible supply delays. Seasonal transition from winter to spring also had an impact on immediate consumption trends and the demand from pharmaceuticals and nutraceuticals sectors remained consistent and healthy.
Meanwhile, food and beverage manufacturers secured stocks based on routine production schedules. Tariff adjustments on certain pharmaceutical components added a layer of uncertainty. This pushed some Vitamin B9 suppliers and distributors to firm up supply agreements early. Overall, the Vitamin B9 market stayed active, with both supplement and pharmaceutical demand contributing to this price rise in the first quarter of 2025.
Asia Pacific
The Asia Pacific Vitamin B9 market witnessed a sharp price increase during the first quarter of 2025, with an average rise of about 45.26% from the previous quarter. The price rally that began in December continued well into March. This increase in Vitamin B9 prices was driven by stock shortages and increased procurement ahead of the Chinese Lunar New Year.
China which is the region’s largest supplier of folic acid experienced a slow production during the holiday period, which tightened availability and raised prices across export markets. Procurement specialists in key APAC countries moved swiftly to secure inventories for immediate and upcoming production cycles. Downstream demand from the pharmaceuticals and nutraceuticals sectors remained firm, whereas the food and beverage manufacturers maintained a need-based procurement approach to sustain routine output.
The seasonal transition from cooler months to spring played a supporting role, as consumption patterns gradually shifted without a dramatic slowdown. The Vitamin B9 market in Asia Pacific remained buoyant throughout the first quarter of 2025, with Vitamin B9 suppliers and distributors reporting sustained orders and firm pricing trends.
Europe
The Vitamin B9 market in Europe registered a noticeable price increase in the first quarter of 2025, averaging a 30.32% rise compared to the concluding quarter of 2024. The surge was largely a result of tightening availability stemming from higher winter consumption and reduced inventory positions as the year began. Buyers moved quickly in January to cover production requirements and rebuild safety stocks which led to increased procurement activity.
Pharmaceuticals and nutraceuticals sectors due to increase in the end-user demand led to higher price trends of Vitamin B9, while food and beverage manufacturers placed requirement-based orders to ensure uninterrupted production. The seasonal shift from colder months to spring brought slight changes in consumption behaviour, but overall downstream demand remained stable.
Additionally, the firmness in prices of Folic Acid from Asia Pacific markets indirectly supported European price movements, as global Vitamin B9 market sentiment leaned positive. By the end of first quarter of 2025, Vitamin B9 suppliers and distributors reported steady enquiries and firm negotiations and was reflected in the sustained market activity throughout the quarter.
For the Quarter Ending December 2024
North America
During the quarter 4 of 2024, Vitamin B9 prices in North America displayed a considerable price increase of +5.45% across the entire quarter. Values rose from $43,150 per MT in October to $45,500 per MT FOB New Jersey in December 2024, exhibiting a positive momentum during the quarter. The price dynamics emerged from several market factors. Enhanced and sustained demand from downstream pharmaceutical and nutraceutical industries supported higher prices throughout the quarter.
Port infrastructure improvements and reduced logistics constraints supported price appreciation. Market participants maintained high TEU volumes, with December bringing further market momentum as domestic suppliers implemented strategic pricing initiatives amid inventory handling. Export prices firmed up in the US market.
The market followed robust seasonal trends as the year 2024 concluded. Sustained end-user demand persisted throughout the quarter, especially in pharmaceutical and nutraceutical applications. This combination created a complex environment where supply chain stabilization and increasing demand drove prices higher.
APAC
In Q4 2024, Vitamin B9 prices in APAC demonstrated remarkable market dynamics, experiencing a substantial price increase of around 49% from $22,690 per MT in October to $33,770 per MT FOB Shanghai in December 2024. The quarter was characterized by complex market interactions, beginning with the Chinese Golden Week holiday, which initially paused market activities but subsequently triggered strategic procurement approaches.
Manufacturers capitalized on limited inventories, improving freight rates and escalating demand from Western markets. The region witnessed sophisticated supply chain strategies, with companies implementing nuanced inventory management techniques. International buyers displayed proactive procurement behaviours, compelling Chinese manufacturers and suppliers to strategically ramp up production and adjust pricing strategies in response to escalating global demand.
December marked a pivotal transformation, with systematic inventory expansion and suppliers strategically positioning themselves for emerging market opportunities. Demand fundamentals remained exceptionally robust, characterized by sustained and diversified procurement patterns across domestic and international channels. The price trajectory reflected the APAC region's adaptive and responsive market ecosystem, creating unique market engagement opportunities for stakeholders.
Europe
In Q4 2024, Vitamin B9 import prices in Germany demonstrated a significant upward trajectory, rising by more than 31% from $28,080 per MT in November to $37,000 per MT CFR Hamburg in December. The quarter was distinguished by complex market dynamics, driven by surging demand, extended delivery timelines from Asian suppliers, and increasingly favourable market conditions.
November witnessed continued price appreciation, propelled by robust global end-user demand that compelled German buyers to procure at progressively higher costs. The constrained market environment empowered merchants to implement strategic price increases, maintaining substantially stronger profit margins compared to previous periods.
December brought further price escalation, characterized by European distributors' aggressive pursuit of additional supplies and international exporters maintaining competitive pricing strategies. The market environment demonstrated remarkable resilience, with sophisticated supply chain interactions creating a dynamic, growth-oriented landscape that balanced complex procurement challenges with strategic market opportunities.
For the Quarter Ending September 2024
North America
The Vitamin B9 market in North America demonstrated stability during Q3 2024, with the United States maintaining its position as the key center of market activity. Price levels remained consistent and showed marginal increment from $43,100/MT to $43,010/MT FOB New Jersey from July to September 2024. This quarter contradicted last quarter’s trend by exhibiting a well-balanced market environment. This market stability reflects a balanced interplay of industry variables and broader economic indicators.
Steady consumption patterns from domestic nutraceutical and pharmaceutical industries provided consistent market support, while managed logistics maintained supply-side equilibrium. The market exhibited reliable performance despite ongoing operational challenges, including maritime congestion, shipping expenses, and distribution network complexities. The stability was further reinforced by balanced price levels in China's market, a dominant Vitamin B9 supplier, maintaining equilibrium across the American nutraceutical sector.
The price consistency, with marginal fluctuations across the quarter, reflects well-established market fundamentals and sustained stability. This pattern aligns with broader regional trends, demonstrating the North American Vitamin B9 market's inherent balance despite ongoing supply chain complexities. The equilibrium between regional demand, worldwide supply mechanics, and logistical factors has maintained a stable yet sophisticated pricing landscape.
APAC
The Vitamin B9 landscape in Asia-Pacific exhibited consistent pricing patterns in Q3 2024, marked by steady market conditions. China's market maintained stable quarter-over-quarter performance, reinforcing its position as a regional price benchmark. The market demonstrated steady price levels, with export valuations holding between $22,500/MT to $22,530/MT FOB Shanghai from July to September 2024.
This market stability was underpinned by balanced operational factors and market fundamentals. Demand patterns showed consistent procurement from nutraceutical and pharmaceutical industries, both local and international, while supply elements remained steady despite ongoing production costs and operational considerations. The balance between production capacity and logistical frameworks maintained supply-demand equilibrium throughout the quarter.
Market consistency was evidenced through regular buyer engagement and predictable order patterns. These steady demand indicators, combined with managed operational factors including freight expenses and supply chain processes, enabled industry participants to maintain consistent margins. China's domestic market continued its role in stabilizing regional price trends, balanced by both international procurement patterns and domestic consumption dynamics. The harmony between production capabilities and logistical frameworks reinforced market stability.
Europe
The European Vitamin B9 landscape maintained steady price levels during Q3 2024, with Germany serving as the primary indicator of market stability. September prices held at USD 27,990/MT CFR Hamburg, reflecting broader market equilibrium. The quarterly performance remained consistent between first and second half, demonstrating market balance. Despite historical variations, the market maintained stability with steady quarterly performance.
Market stability stemmed from balanced supply capabilities and demand patterns. Manufacturing processes, particularly in Asian production centers, maintained steady output levels influencing price consistency. This was complemented by reliable demand from pharmaceutical and nutraceutical sectors maintaining predictable procurement activities.
Germany's market trends provided a steady benchmark for European pricing patterns, exhibiting consistent seasonal performance and price stability. Through operational challenges, the market maintained its equilibrium, underlining the European Vitamin B9 market's fundamental stability. The balance between supply capabilities, sectoral demand patterns, and regional market forces sustained a stable pricing environment, characterized by consistent performance and market equilibrium across Europe.
For the Quarter Ending June 2024
North America
The second quarter of 2024 has witnessed a significant decline in Vitamin B9 prices in the North American region. This downward trend has been driven primarily by a confluence of factors, including an oversupply situation, competitive pricing from Asian manufacturers, and diminished demand from end-user sectors. The market has faced persistent disruptions in international trade flows, exacerbating the supply glut and prompting sellers to reduce their prices to clear excess inventory. Additionally, higher freight costs and extended lead times for imports have compounded the challenges, further driving prices downwards.
In the USA, which has experienced the most pronounced price changes, the overall market sentiment has been negative. Seasonal fluctuations and an oversupply condition have led to a steady decline in prices, influenced by high inventory levels and cheaper imports. The correlation between supply excess and weak demand has been evident, with prices dropping by 12% compared to the same quarter last year. However, there was a slight recovery from the previous quarter, with a 2% increase, indicating a brief stabilizing effect before prices fell again.
The quarter-ending price stood at USD 45,700 per metric ton of Vitamin B9 FOB Illinois, USA. Overall, the pricing environment for Vitamin B9 in Q2 2024 has been overwhelmingly negative, characterized by a persistent decrease in prices due to oversupply, competitive import pricing, and reduced domestic demand.
Asia Pacific
The second quarter of 2024 has witnessed a notable decline in Vitamin B9 prices across the APAC region, driven by various market dynamics. Key factors influencing this downward trend include an oversupply situation caused by heightened production capabilities, diminishing demand from end-user sectors, and substantial disruptions in global trade logistics. The latter, exacerbated by geopolitical tensions and increased shipping costs, has prompted cautious procurement strategies among buyers, further intensifying price pressures. Additionally, inventory levels have remained high, with suppliers eager to offload stock, thereby contributing to the persistent price depreciation.
Focusing on China, the region experiencing the most significant price fluctuations, overall trends indicate a prolonged period of instability marked by seasonal production cycles and fluctuating international demand. From the previous quarter in 2024, the price dropped by -3%, reflecting a consistent negative sentiment.
The latest quarter-ending price for Vitamin B9 in China, at USD 24,300/MT FOB Qingdao, encapsulates the negative pricing environment. This consistent decrease underscores a challenging market for suppliers, compelled to lower prices amidst an oversupply and tepid demand landscape. Overall, the pricing environment for Vitamin B9 in the APAC region during Q2 2024 has been predominantly negative, driven by an imbalanced supply-demand dynamic and external logistic complications.
Europe
In Q2 2024, the Vitamin B9 market in Europe has experienced a significant downward trend in prices. The decrease can be attributed to a plethora of factors, including oversupply conditions, aggressive pricing strategies from key producers, and subdued demand from downstream industries such as pharmaceuticals and nutraceuticals. The supply chain has also been impacted by ongoing logistical challenges and disruptions in import trade flows from major exporters, further exacerbating the market imbalance. These issues have collectively contributed to lower price quotes to stimulate sales amidst high inventory levels.
Focusing on Germany, which has witnessed the most pronounced price fluctuations, the market sentiment remains bearish. The overall trend reflects a sustained decline in Vitamin B9 prices, with seasonality and supply-demand dynamics playing crucial roles. The percentage change from the same quarter last year shows a 3% decrease, emphasizing the ongoing pressure on profit margins for suppliers.
A closer examination reveals that the price comparison between the first and second halves of Q2 2024 indicates a further 2% decline. This reinforces the prevailing sentiment of a market grappling with excess supply and weak demand. Concluding the quarter, the price settled at USD 29,200 per metric ton CFR Hamburg in Germany, underscoring the persistent downward pressure. Overall, the pricing environment for Vitamin B9 in Europe during this period has been decidedly negative, driven by supply imbalances and tepid market activity.
