December 20, 2004
More Falls in Prices of Vitamin C Products in China; Export Demand Slowed
An eFeedLink Exclusive Report
I. Price Summary
Prices of vitamin C products in China have been dismal recently due to weak domestic market demand and slowdown in export demand.
As at December 20, prices of vitamin C products in China are as follows:
|
Region |
Vitamin C contents |
Prices as at December 10(RMB/kg) |
Prices as at December 20(RMB/kg) |
Price Changes (RMB/kg) |
|
Vitamin C Raw Materials | ||||
|
|
98% |
47 |
45 |
-2 |
|
|
99% |
42 |
42 |
0 |
|
|
99% |
47 |
45 |
-2 |
|
|
99% |
50 |
45 |
-5 |
|
|
99% |
43 |
42 |
-1 |
|
|
99% |
47 |
45 |
-2 |
|
Coated Ascorbic Acid | ||||
|
|
93% |
70 |
70 |
0 |
|
|
93% |
50 |
49 |
-1 |
|
|
97% |
53 |
50 |
-3 |
|
|
97% |
52 |
52 |
0 |
|
L-Ascorbate-2-Phosphate | ||||
|
Whole China market |
Imported (35%) |
75 |
75 |
0 |
|
Whole China market |
Locally Produced (35%) |
34 |
34 |
0 |
| Remarks: Prices indicated above are representative and are for reference only. | ||||
With the period from New Year's Day to the Spring Festival, which fall in February next year, a traditionally lull season for vitamin C demand in China, analysts expect vitamin C prices in the country to stay generally weak in the weeks ahead.
II. Exports of China's Vitamin C Raw Materials
Influenced by slowdown in export demand, recent export prices of China's locally produced vitamin C raw materials moved marginally lower compared with prices last week.
As at December 20, offer prices of China's produced vitamin C raw materials for exports to European and American markets hover at the level of US$4.30/kg, down US$0.50/kg from last week. Offer prices for exports to Southeast Asian and African countries are US$4.80/kg, a fall of US$0.20/kg from last week.
With uncertainty in export markets ahead, Chinese producers have stopped issuing offer prices for delivery in February 2005.
