Vitamin A and E under pressure amid ongoing BASF absence

Vitamin markets remain subdued, with weak demand, modest price declines, and limited buyer engagement across regions. Ongoing uncertainty around BASF’s force majeure continues to cloud the outlook. While Q2 is largely contracted, Q3 activity is slow and cautious. (Vitamin market update week 23)

Highlights:

Vitamin E 50%: Prices have declined slightly across all regions. Q2 and some Q3 volumes are already contracted. BASF has not yet resumed its vitamin operations or lifted its force majeure. Despite upcoming maintenance by Chinese producers, the market remains weak with sufficient short-term supply.
Vitamin A 1000: Prices continue to fall gradually. BASF had planned to restart production in April 2025, but no official update has been given. Supply remains strong while demand is muted.
Vitamin D3 500: A slight price decrease is seen in China, but other regions maintain high, stable prices due to supply limitations.
D-Calpan: Trading remains subdued, and prices are low. Recent price cuts by a major Chinese supplier failed to spur demand.
Vitamin B3: A production disruption occurred at a Swiss facility, but it has not affected market pricing or activity yet. Prices are stable after prior declines, and buyers remain cautious.

In partnership with Feed Additive Prices

Vitamin E 50%

This week has seen a slight decrease in prices across all regions, with contracts already in place for Q2 and a portion of Q3 also secured. There remains no update from BASF regarding the resumption of its vitamin business or the lifting of the force majeure. Despite several maintenance announcements from Chinese manufacturers scheduled for the upcoming period, the market remains relatively weak. Buyers have successfully secured sufficient contracts for the short term.

Vitamin A 1000

The prevailing market trend continues to show a gradual decline in prices across all major regions. BASF has previously stated that production of vitamin A1000 was expected to resume in April 2025; however, there have yet to be any indications of their market return or the lifting of force majeure. Supply remains plentiful while demand appears restrained, and as of now, the third quarter is predominantly uncontracted.

VITAMIN PRICES: Here the market prices of 3 important vitamins are tracked – check it out…

Vitamin D3 500

Despite a mostly stable market, a slight price drop is observed in China. Most other areas continue to experience high and stable price levels due to ongoing supply constraints. A considerable number of third-quarter contracts have already been finalised.

D-Calpan

The market continues to show a lack of trading activity in most areas, with prices remaining relatively low. Despite recent price changes made by a prominent supplier in China to encourage sales, the market has shown little reaction. At present, only a small portion of Q3 has been secured, reflecting a cautious approach among buyers.

Vitamin B3

Last week, an incident at a vitamin B3 manufacturer in Switzerland was reported, reportedly leading to a disruption in the production process. No casualties reported. The market has not reacted, so far, in terms of buying/selling activity or adjusting prices. Apart from that, the market shows signs of stabilisation following a recent decline in prices, which have remained relatively low. Buyers find themselves on the sidelines regarding any potential additional volumes and have adopted a wait-and-see attitude. Q2 and a small portion of Q3 have been contracted.