February 26, 2004

 

 

China's Vitamin C Prices Update - China's Vitamin C Prices Fall Significantly; Producers Cut Down On Exports (February 26, 2004)

 

An eFeedLink Exclusive Report
 

Recent quotations for China's vitamin C (98% contents) fell significantly compared to last week's, with quotations (for local sales) issued by major Chinese pharmaceutical producers dropping by RMB10/kg to a range of between RMB75-85/kg. Currently, the general transacted prices for large transactions hover around RMB75/kg, and transacted volume has increased in recent days.

 

According to industry insiders, the recent significant downslide in China's vitamin C prices is mainly due to the intense competition among producers. Likewise, recent vitamin C prices for exports have also fallen in tandem.

 

Vitamin C in the Guangdong region (over 98% contents) is currently quoted at RMB85/kg and generally transacted at around RMB80/kg, down by RMB5/kg versus last week's prices. In the Shanghai region, vitamin C (99% contents) is currently quoted at RMB75/kg, while bulk purchases are mostly concluded at around RMB75/kg, which is unchanged compared to last week's prices.

 

In the Jiangsu region, the ex-warehouse prices of vitamin C (99% contents) dipped by RMB10/kg to RMB80/kg, while the general transacted prices stand around RMB75/kg.

 

In the Hebei region, the ex-warehouse price of vitamin C (99% contents) range between RMB75-85/kg, while the general transacted prices hover around RMB75/kg, down by RMB5/kg compared to last week's prices.

 

Phosphate vitamin C (35% vitamin C) is currently quoted at RMB50-55/kg and generally transacted at around RMB53/kg, registering a fall of RMB10/kg versus last week's prices.

   

Locally produced coated vitamin C (approx. 97%) is generally quoted at around RMB90/kg and generally transacted at RMB85/kg, down by RMB10/kg compared to last week's prices.

 

Roche's imported coated vitamin C (97% contents) is reportedly quoted at RMB105/kg and generally transacted at RMB103kg, a fall of RMB2-3/kg from the previous week. Meanwhile, Roche's stable vitamin C (35% contents) is currently quoted at RMB85/kg and mostly transacted at around RMB80/kg, down by RMB3/kg versus last week's prices. These are all processed products of vitamin C; they are able to withstand high temperatures, and can be processed as ingredients in animal feed. These products are also widely used in aqua feed production.                            

 

China is the world's largest producer and exporter of vitamin C. Vitamin C (approx. 97% contents) produced by major Chinese pharmaceutical groups is exported to the United States, Europe and Southeast Asia countries, with different price quotes for different markets.

 

Vitamin C exports to the US is currently quoted at a relatively low of about US$9.00/kg, dipped by US$0.2-0.5/kg versus last week's prices. Existing price offers for exports to other countries are generally quoted at around US$9.50/kg, a marginal decrease over previous week's.

 

With export prices on a downward slide, Chinese producers have stepped up the restriction on export volume to prevent oversupplying overseas markets and to keep declining prices in check.