For the Quarter Ending June 2025
North America
• The Vitamin B9 Spot Price in North America climbed steadily throughout Q2 which was supported by heightened Q2 procurement among fortified food and nutraceutical manufacturers.
• The Price Index closed at USD 58,200/MT FOB New Jersey by the end of June that reflected robust market confidence and a tightening spot availability environment.
• In April, a 1% rise was attributed to advanced restocking by formulators aligning their Q2 cycles with forecasted Q3 supplement launches.
• May experienced a 1.89% uptick as manufacturers have reacted to supplier advisories suggesting constrained availability during the early summer.
• June saw a more accelerated 3.9% increase driven by institutional purchases and demand contracts from OTC pharmaceutical producers seeking inventory security.
• The Vitamin B9 Demand Outlook remained strong, particularly in prenatal and general wellness supplements, sustaining purchasing momentum through Q2.
• The Vitamin B9 Production Cost Trend was broadly stable due to consistent input prices and predictable domestic energy and labor costs.
• Buyers across North America maintained structured procurement plans, limiting price volatility by balancing proactive restocking with predictable formulation cycles.
• Why did the price change in July 2025?
Prices softened marginally in July, as Q2 bulk purchases had already secured near-term requirements, leading to a temporary reduction in active restocking activity across pharmaceutical and supplement formulators.
Asia Pacific
• The Vitamin B9 Spot Price in the APAC region remained stable to firm across Q2, underpinned by consistent regional demand and proactive procurement by bulk buyers.
• The Price Index was recorded at USD 46,500/MT FOB Qingdao by June, reflecting well-balanced trading fundamentals and controlled export flows.
• April registered a 5.10% price rise, driven by accelerated restocking from Southeast Asian and South Asian importers preparing for Q3 public health initiatives.
• May and June each observed a 0.22% month-on-month increase, as suppliers maintained export parity pricing and buyers kept order volumes regular.
• The Vitamin B9 Demand Outlook remained firm due to stable consumption by multivitamin premix companies and institutional nutrition programs across Asia and the Middle East.
• The Vitamin B9 Production Cost Trend remained favorable, aided by steady feedstock availability, unimpeded throughput, and high factory utilization rates in China.
• Exporters maintained well-spaced contract delivery schedules, reducing pricing pressures and ensuring a controlled flow into regional ports.
• APAC buyers demonstrated caution in exceeding replenishment targets, contributing to a flattened pricing trajectory by end-Q2.
• Why did the price change in July 2025?
Prices held steady in July as regional buyers delayed new purchases, given sufficient carryover inventories from Q2 and the absence of immediate Q3 demand triggers.
Europe
• The Vitamin B9 Spot Price in Europe moved gradually upward across Q2, with importers responding to localized supply risk and modest global firming.
• The Price Index reached USD 46,620/MT CFR Hamburg by June, signalling a stable yet slightly firm market supported by cautious stockpiling.
• April saw a 5.04% price increase as regional buyers anticipated stronger Q3 food supplement sales and front-loaded procurement accordingly.
• May posted a restrained 0.22% increase, as distributors synchronized local pricing with international offer levels without pushing excess volume.
• Another 0.21% gain in June was recorded as producers finalized end-of-quarter inventory adjustments, avoiding oversupply.
• The Vitamin B9 Demand Outlook remained consistent throughout Q3 which was driven by the fortified breakfast foods, prenatal nutrition and over-the-counter health categories.
• The Vitamin B9 Production Cost Trend remained moderate, supported by manageable intra-EU logistics and stable CIF valuations from origin markets.
• Buyers in Western and Central Europe employed phased inventory strategies to prevent oversupply while maintaining readiness for Q3 consumer demand.
• Why did the price change in July 2025?
Prices flattened or slightly corrected in July as European buyers paused procurement activity to draw down Q2 inventories, with limited urgency for early Q3 acquisitions.
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.
FAQs
1. What are the primary applications driving global Vitamin B9 demand?
Vitamin B9 is widely used in prenatal health supplements, fortified food products, multivitamin formulations, and pharmaceutical excipients. Its demand is primarily driven by public health policies mandating folic acid fortification and increasing awareness of maternal and neural health.
2. How is Vitamin B9 typically priced in international markets?
Vitamin B9 is priced on a per metric ton (MT) basis, with regional variations based on FOB (Free on Board) or CFR (Cost and Freight) terms. Prices fluctuate based on procurement cycles, downstream sector demand, supply tightness, and international export activity from key origin markets such as China and India.
3. What factors influence the Vitamin B9 Spot Price and Price Forecast?
Key influencing factors include demand cycles in the dietary supplement and pharmaceutical sectors, seasonal inventory planning by buyers, price movements of raw materials, and production trends in major manufacturing hubs. Global health initiatives and fortification regulations also impact long-term pricing forecasts.
4. Which regions lead in the production and export of Vitamin B9?
China remains the dominant producer and exporter of Vitamin B9, supplying to APAC, North America, and Europe. India also plays a significant role, especially in supplying pharmaceutical-grade folic acid formulations to regulated markets.
5. Is the Vitamin B9 market impacted by regulatory or macroeconomic changes?
Yes. Regulatory shifts regarding fortification mandates, import duties, and pharmacopeial standards can significantly alter trade flows and procurement behavior. Additionally, macroeconomic trends like inflation, energy pricing, and industrial policy can influence Vitamin B9 production cost trends and purchasing sentiment globally.
