January 4, 2005
Prices of Vitamin C Products in China Remain Weak; Export Prices Generally Stable in Light Trade
An eFeedLink Exclusive Report
I. Price Summary
Prices of vitamin C products in China remained weak in recent days. According to major local pharmaceuticals companies, there were few requisitions for price quotes and the volume of transaction did not improved this week.
As at January 3, prices of vitamin C products in China are as follows:
|
Region |
Vitamin C contents |
Prices as at December 27 (RMB/kg) |
Prices as at January 3 (RMB/kg) |
Price Changes (RMB/kg) |
|
Vitamin C Raw Materials | ||||
|
|
98% |
45 |
45 |
0 |
|
|
99% |
41 |
41 |
0 |
|
|
99% |
43 |
43 |
0 |
|
|
99% |
43 |
43 |
0 |
|
|
99% |
40 |
38 |
-2 |
|
|
99% |
42 |
40 |
-2 |
|
Coated Ascorbic Acid | ||||
|
|
93% |
70 |
70 |
0 |
|
|
93% |
49 |
53 |
4 |
|
|
97% |
48 |
48 |
0 |
|
|
97% |
50 |
53 |
3 |
|
L-Ascorbate-2-Phosphate | ||||
|
Whole China market |
Imported (35%) |
70 |
70 |
0 |
|
Whole China market |
Locally Produced (35%) |
34 |
35 |
1 |
| Remarks: Prices indicated above are representative and are for reference only. | ||||
After being through a volatile market situation in 2003, most major local pharmaceuticals companies have learned from the experience to establish their benchmarks in terms of production output and price levels. With prices of vitamin C products in China currently at very low levels, analysts expect further price falls to be restrained in the near term.
II. Exports of China's Vitamin C Raw Materials
Recent export prices of China's locally produced vitamin C raw materials are largely unchanged from last week. Export volume remained relatively light during the week in view of the New Year Day holiday.
As at January 3, offer prices of China's produced vitamin C raw materials for exports to European and American markets remain at the level of US$4.50/kg, while offer prices for exports to Southeast Asian and African countries continue to stand at US$5.00/kg this week.
The actual export prices for small quantity of vitamin C raw materials in earlier period reportedly have slid below the level of US$4.00/kg to hover at US$3.80/kg.
According to trade sources, a major overseas producer has halted production recently due to continual dismal demand. Although this is good news for local producers, presently there is still no clear indication that prices will recover any time soon.
