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North America

Carnitine prices in the North American region exhibited a depreciating market position throughout the first quarter of 2023. Prices decreased consistently during the quarter because of reducing raw material costs. The domestic and international markets decreased demand had a part in the unfavorable market situation. The accumulation of stocks brought on by the end-user sector's decreased demand forced the merchants to drop their quotations to destock and clear out the stock. Additionally, the fact that freight and transportation costs have significantly fallen has only contributed to the market's declining conditions. The market was also impacted by logistical problems and the ease of trade activity.

Asia Pacific

The prices of L-Carnitine in the APAC region demonstrated decelerating market situation throughout the first quarter of 2023. Towards the end of Q4 2022, the price of Carnitine was recorded at USD 22500/MT FOB Shanghai with an average quarterly declination of 13.21%. The prices depreciated continuously throughout the quarter with decreased raw material prices. Decreased demand from both the domestic as well as international market further supported the pessimistic market situation. This decreased demand from the end-user sector eventually resulted in stockpiling of inventories which compelled the merchants to lower their quotations to destock their inventories and clear out the stock. Also, merchants decided to roll back to pre-pandemic prices, which increased during the previous quarter.

Europe                                                                                                                                          

Throughout the first quarter of 2023, L-Carnitine prices in the European region showed a slowing market position. Throughout the quarter, prices declined steadily due to falling raw material costs. Reduced demand from both the domestic and international markets contributed to the negative market environment. The merchants were forced to lower their quotations to destock their inventories and clear out the stock because of the amassing of inventories caused by the end-user sector's decreased demand. Also, as the freight and shipping charges decreased many folds, it further added to the depreciating market situation in the European region. Ease in trade activities and logistic issues also influenced the market.

The Peanut Oil Prices increased in the first quarter of 2023 as a result of increased domestic demand in the North American housing and food industries. Prices climbed due to high input costs in the first half of Q1 of 2023 as a result of a shrinking supply and rising demand. Prices rose in tandem with the end-use industries' continually high demand throughout the second half of Q1. Due to the rise in the price of other edible oils, Peanut Oil became a different home oil source in several areas, causing its price to rise as well. Prices rise in the final month of the first quarter due to tighter supply chains and strong demand from downstream industries.

During the second quarter, the overall Crude oil market in the US contracted as compared to the first quarter, which was highly influenced by the volatile market sentiment and changing demand. During the first two weeks of April, Crude Oil Prices had increased by 3.38% due to induced market sentiments despite having announcement of production cuts by OPEC+ countries. As per the data, the Industrial Production Total Index in the US rose from 102.6 (March) to 103.1 (April) amid economic activities to improve. Afterward, a tight labor market and raised FD rate hampered the demand for Crude oil to remain low throughout the quarter, due to which overall prices decreased after witnessing multiple fluctuations. A significant drop of 11.3% was observed from April to June. The increasing concern over recession in the US has negatively impacted oil prices. A temporary rise in prices was observed in May due to the wildfire in Canada, followed by the rising inflation rate, and the US dept ceiling deal prompted the prices to be volatile.

North America

In the US market, Chequered Plate prices increased in the third quarter of 2023 due to stagnant demand amidst turmoil in the banking sector. Since mid-October, plant utilization rates remained below 75%, and low service center inventories and high raw material prices contributed to higher prices of finished steel. Mills received higher prices on the spot market, causing an increase in steel goods' spot prices. Service centers were cautious when adding inventory as future prices were uncertain. Nucor Brandenberg's new mill appeared to be a few months away from reaching full output. Congested port handling rates caused cargo handling rates to rise. The market was still digesting price increases from last month, and the reduction in mill production caused by weak downstream industry demand led to higher prices. Inflationary cost increases impacted almost all segments, forcing participants in the market to adjust their pricing. The US steelmakers continued to be unable to meet the market's demand, which helped keep steel prices stable. Domestic steel mills underwent extensive maintenance in 2023, worsening the supply shortage situation. As a ripple effect, the SS Chequered Plate (6 mm) prices for Ex Texas (USA) settled at USD 4568/MT.

Asia Pacific

In the first quarter of 2023, Chinese Chequered Plate prices decreased due to falling Nickel costs and a slowdown in demand from the construction and automotive industries. Following the Spring Festival holiday, sales of Chequered Plate slowed down, and there was no apparent consumption of spot resources. Market players were on vacation during the Chinese New Year Holidays, and despite the delivery of large factory resources, they were not picked up, resulting in resource accumulation. With the resumption of production at large steel plants, downstream demand gradually increased, but inventory levels started to rise, and pressure from the steel mill eroded cost support for raw materials and ferronickel. Domestic mills reduced production due to low prices, which failed to curb the price decline. Market pessimism was strong, and the profit margin of the industry chain was squeezed. Domestic iron plants were unable to accept low prices due to production losses, and most of them implemented production reduction plans. As a ripple effect, the SS Chequered Plate (304-6 mm) prices for Ex Tangshan settled at USD 2475/MT.

Europe

During the first quarter of 2023, Chequered Plate prices in the European market remained stagnant due to various factors, including rising slab prices, increased demand, and longer plate delivery times. Spot distributors accepted the price increase, but larger buyers were willing to pay higher prices for April-June plates. However, larger distributors were hesitant to commit to deals due to longer lead times, and German mills had fewer volumes for spot purchasers due to strong order books with projects. Heavy plate availability was constrained due to strong order books in Germany and Italy, a stronger emphasis on projects and long-term agreements over the spot market by German mills, and decreased production in Central Europe. Despite strong consumer demand, margins throughout the value chain decreased. Limited domestic supply and steady demand supported domestic prices, and buyers remained cautious about long lead times and hyped-up prices after the latest price rises earlier this month. Thus, the SS Chequered Plate (304-5mm) prices for Ex Ruhr settled at USD 3740/MT.

In the first quarter of 2023, Vitamin B1 Prices continued to decline as a result of the long-drawn-out turmoil in the U.S. domestic market, with CFR Los Angeles from January to March. Due to a halt in imports from China during the first week of January due to the Lunar New Year, several domestic retailers had to raise their price quotes to keep up with the ongoing demand. The tiebreakers, which included the crisis in Ukraine, rising U.S. inflation, and extreme weather, persisted in putting fragile supply chains in peril for most of the quarter. The U.S. supply chain gradually improved in the second half of 2023 as the economy recovered and the port of Los Angeles on the west coast significantly reduced ship backlogs. All U.S. supply chains experienced a price decline beginning in March, reducing inflationary pressures. The U.S. supply chains became adaptable because of weaker shipping demand brought on by slower consumer spending and a decline in manufacturing activity in March.

Green Hydrogen prices shifted sentiments during the 1st quarter of 2023. At the beginning of the quarter, prices plunged noticeably amid a shift in demand-supply dynamics and a consequent increase in stocks. The trend persisted in the mid-quarter, and prices again fell in the region due to declined orders from the European importers due to the shifted interest of buyers towards conventional grey Hydrogen as it was available in excess quantity and at cheap costs due to the surplus availability of Natural Gas stocks. During the final month of Q1, prices rebounded amid affected production rates and increased orders from importers to reduce carbon emissions as chemical manufacturers are seeing the direct use of Green Hydrogen in fuel cracker furnaces rather than using Natural Gas.

In the second quarter of 2023, the US Coal market experienced a bearish trend. In both the first and last month of the quarter, Coal prices declined by approximately 8% and 5.5%, respectively. This price drop was primarily attributed to a surplus of brown Coal Prices in the US market and a low demand from overseas. The ample availability of brown Coal led to downward pressure on prices. Moreover, the mining and exploration sector experienced a boost in activity during April and May 2023, which further contributed to the increased supply of Coal in the country. This surge in mining and exploration was seasonal, adding to the already abundant Coal supply. However, in May 2023, there was a slight recovery in US Coal prices as they increased 3.3% during this month. The stability of demand for Coal from overseas markets, coupled with high demand from the downstream steel and power production industries, contributed to this positive momentum. Notably, the summer season saw the highest point of US electricity generation from Coal, aligning with the peak demand for electricity driven by the need for air conditioning. Additionally, there was a smaller peak in winter when certain regions of the country relied on electric heating devices such as heat pumps, electric radiators, space heaters, and other equipment to warm buildings.

The Glucosamine Prices remained stagnant throughout the first quarter of 2023, with FOB New Jersey prices reaching $9250 per MT in March. Because of the market instability in the previous quarter, industry insiders had projected that the pharmaceutical and nutraceuticals industries would continue to sail through mixed sentiments during the first quarter of 2023. However, steady demand from end users and reasonable inquiries from downstream suppliers of nutraceuticals maintained the market dynamics predictable. Since the supply chain and trade remained strong throughout the first half of the quarter, China's relaxation of its zero-covid prohibition was advantageous. This further reduced freight costs benefitting commerce.  

North America

The Vitamin B12 Prices displayed mixed sentiments at the beginning of the first quarter of 2023, with prices estimated in January 2023 at $2073350/MT and March 2023 at $2005780/MT CFR California, respectively. Following the previous quarter's market volatility, market participants had anticipated that the choppy waters would continue to hang over the pharmaceutical and nutraceuticals market during the first quarter of 2023. The market dynamics were kept in check by sustained end-user demand and low to moderate inquiries from downstream suppliers. The first half of the quarter was positively influenced by the lifting of the zero-Covid Ban in China in the first week of January as the supply chain and trade continued to strengthen, resulting in a decline in freight costs. Businesses in the US increased employment in January, and wages rose as a result of a sustained severe labor shortage. Because of a downturn in local consumer demand and record high warehouse stockpiles in the second half of the quarter, domestic merchants reduced manufacturing orders by as much as 40%.

Asia Pacific

In Asia Pacific, the first quarter of 2023 proved to be advantageous for China as the country's decision to abolish stringent COVID-19 restrictions in the first week of January gave the trillion-dollar economy, which had suffered greatly over the previous four years, new vigor. In the domestic Chinese market, however, the price pattern during the first quarter of 2023 was downward, with FOB Shanghai prices falling from $1725575/MT in January to $1611000/MT in March. Following a week-long Lunar Holiday, the price of Vitamin B12 in the domestic market for nutraceuticals and pharmaceuticals experienced a roll-over sentiment for two consecutive weeks in January. Technically speaking, the markets returned from vacation on a strong note with increased local and international orders and shipments. After the markets recovered from the covid-induced lull and a week-long celebration, a sharp downturn in manufacturing was seen in China during the second half of 2022. The declining end-user demand from both local and foreign markets is mostly to blame for China's fall.

Europe 

During the Q1 of 2023, prices for Vitamin B12 were estimated at $1799960 per MT in January 2023 and $1795600 per MT in March 2023, respectively. With an increase in orders and shipments from both local and foreign markets, the pharmaceutical and nutraceutical industries in Europe started the first quarter on a positive note. The local market's participants detected positive arbitrage in the majority of the quarter because the forecast for supply and demand looked positive. As inflation pressures reduced during a protracted period of the Russia-Ukraine war and China's surprise covid re-opening, the European market has shown optimistic indicators together with the improvement in end-user demand from both producers and suppliers, paving the way for a swift recovery in activity. The cost of shipping containers between Asia and Europe has also drastically decreased in the second half of the quarter to pre-pandemic levels or below, illustrating strong demand and supply dynamics.

North America

Over the first quarter of 2023, there were fluctuations in the Wheat Prices in North America, and the first month of the quarter saw a fall in prices. Because of the lack of demand and easy access to supplies in the domestic market, Wheat prices have been continuously declining. A decrease in prices is seen in the second month of Q1 as a result of favorable weather in the Northern Hemisphere. The oil and gas industries need for shale gas was also sufficient. In the final month of the quarter, there were enough inventories, and the weather returned to normal, which helped the forecast for output. This has exacerbated the price drop of Wheat in North America. Towards the end of Q1 2023, the price of Wheat was recorded to be USD 340/MT for FOB Chicago (USA) in March 2023.

Asia Pacific

Wheat prices in the Asia-Pacific area fluctuated in the first quarter of 2023 as a result of concerns about the state of the crops in several significant exporting countries. The price climbed in the first half of Q1 as a result of high demand, an imbalance in supply and demand, and the war's detrimental consequences on Ukraine's manufacturing prospects. India also produces a significant portion of the world's food grains, which are impacted by heavy rains, low productivity, and high demand from the end-use industries. As a result of heavy rains and low yields in India, the domestic market saw lower production in the second month of the second half of Q1. The price of Wheat was estimated to be USD 269.53/MT for Ex-Indore in March 2023.

Europe

The first quarter of 2023 saw fluctuations in Wheat price in Europe, helped by a price increase in the first month of the quarter because of a rise in demand. Grain shipments from Ukraine were restarted in the first half of Q1 in an effort to maintain a global downturn. As a result, food and fertilizer were made available. Due to the abundance of inventories on the domestic market later in Q1's second half, the price was continually declining in line with the product's pricing. Wheat prices rose in the last month of the quarter in the domestic European market as a result of a poor yield, a little rise in crop production and harvesting area, and the impact of the conflict in the region. Towards the end of Q1 2023, the price of Wheat was recorded to be USD 282/MT for FOB Novorossiysk Russia in March 2023.

Green Hydrogen prices shifted sentiments during the 1st quarter of 2023. At the beginning of the quarter, prices plunged noticeably amid a shift in demand-supply dynamics and a consequent increase in stocks. The trend persisted in the mid-quarter, and prices again fell in the region due to declined orders from the European importers due to the shifted interest of buyers towards conventional grey Hydrogen as it was available in excess quantity and at cheap costs due to the surplus availability of Natural Gas stocks. During the final month of Q1, prices rebounded amid affected production rates and increased orders from importers to reduce carbon emissions as chemical manufacturers are seeing the direct use of Green Hydrogen in fuel cracker furnaces rather than using Natural Gas