Sorbic Acid Prices During the Quarter Ending December 2023

In North America, particularly the USA, the Sorbic Acid market faced challenges in the fourth quarter of 2023. Initially, increased demand from the pharmaceutical industry and rising raw material costs, like Ketone, drove up Sorbic Acid prices. However, severe winter conditions and sustained high demand for pharmaceutical excipients further complicated the market landscape. Concurrently, the prices of alternative food preservatives such as benzoic acid and potassium sorbate surged, making Sorbic Acid an increasingly attractive option for food and beverage manufacturers. Some buyers anticipated future price hikes for additives, leading them to procure larger quantities of Sorbic Acid at elevated prices.

Nevertheless, Sorbic Acid prices started to decline in November 2023 and remained low until the end of December 2023. Suppliers found themselves with high inventory levels close to cost, resulting in a significant and concentrated stock in the domestic market. Consequently, market participants focused on clearing inventories at lower prices to maintain profit margins. Additionally, in November 2023, the contraction of the US Purchasing Managers' Index (PMI) and the US Federal Reserve's hint at a potential 5.5% interest rate increase influenced market sentiments. This suggested interest rate hike, coupled with reduced demand from Sorbic Acid-dependent industries, likely aimed at addressing inflation concerns.

Get Real Time Prices of Sorbic Acid: https://www.chemanalyst.com/Pricing-data/sorbic-acid-1402

By December 2023, the continued decline in Sorbic Acid prices in the US market was attributed to year-end destocking practices. Suppliers adopted a cautious approach, prioritizing the efficient clearance of existing stockpiles over issuing new quotations. Notably, as an importer, the USA aligned its approach with exporting nations' observed trends. Overall, significant price fluctuations in the USA were driven by pharmaceutical industry demand, supply chain disruptions, and fluctuations in raw material costs, with Sorbic Acid prices settling at USD 3145/MT by the end of Q4 2023.

In the APAC region throughout Q4 2023, Sorbic Acid witnessed a descending pricing trend. Despite maintaining optimism until October, prices experienced a slight decline in November, remaining low until December's conclusion. FOB prices for Sorbic Acid consistently rose during this period, indicating a positive trading environment supported by continuous arrivals from both overseas and regional sources. The depreciation of the Chinese Yuan against the US dollar made Sorbic Acid more affordable for foreign importers, boosting new orders. However, by late November 2023, a notable pessimistic turn occurred in the trading landscape, marked by reduced orders from both regional and overseas markets. Moreover, significant Sorbic Acid production in preceding months led to an oversupply, prompting producers to intensify cost-reduction strategies and product differentiation efforts to maintain market share amidst heightened competition. Sorbic Acid prices settled at USD 2965/MT by December's end.

In Europe, Sorbic Acid prices displayed fluctuating trends in Q4 2023. Initially rising in October due to heightened demand from end-users and substantial orders from exporting nations, prices declined steadily in November before rebounding in December. Factors such as variations in raw material costs, production efficiency, and changes in manufacturing efficiency contributed to these price adjustments. By December, rising demand from the food and beverage industries during the festive season, strategic stocking by wineries, and increased freight and fuel costs ahead of a trade dispute in the Red Sea contributed to a price surge. Despite the fluctuations, steady purchasing activity balanced the overall supply-demand outlook. Sorbic Acid prices settled at USD 3215/MT by December's end in the European market, particularly in Germany.

Get Real Time Prices of Sorbic Acid: https://www.chemanalyst.com/Pricing-data/sorbic-acid-1402

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