During the first two weeks of April 2025, China Carnitine prices maintained their rising trend, following the significant gains witnessed during March. The ongoing rally is said to be fueled by ongoing supply-side pressures and consistent demand from domestic as well as overseas purchasers, informed market sources. ChemAnalyst expected the trend will continue throughout the next few weeks of April, based on consistent pressures on the value chain.

• Carnitine prices in China rose further in early April 2025, following a significant upward trend throughout March.
• Limited production capacity and low inventory levels for Carnitine continued to strain supply despite improving manufacturing activity.
• China's fiscal stimulus and proactive restocking ahead of maintenance supported strong internal market demand for Carnitine.
• Foreign buyers accelerated procurement amid trade uncertainty, tightening domestic availability.
• ChemAnalyst expects Carnitine prices to remain elevated through April due to sustained demand and constrained supply.

March recorded a dramatic surge in Carnitine prices as supply found it difficult to match robust and front-loaded demand. Even though China's manufacturing sector showed indications of recovery with the manufacturing PMI rising to 50.5, its highest level in a year, levels of production continued to be below market levels needed. Thin inventory positions at the start of the month coupled with a high spike in procurement activity further placed pressure on already constrained supply chain.

Foreign buyers increased their Carnitine purchases because of trade threat concerns thus pushing export orders to a higher level. The robust domestic market sustained itself because of fiscal stimulus programs and manufacturers' early restocking needs before upcoming summer facility maintenance schedules. Chinese producers chose to focus on high-value export markets by reorganizing their supply which resulted in reduced Carnitine availability for their domestic market.

The healthcare and nutraceutical industries remained major drivers of demand, with downstream consumption remaining robust. Demand for Carnitine in health supplements, sports nutrition, and medical applications remained solid, creating consistent pull along the supply chain. The new orders sub-index increased to 51.8 in March, its best in a year, which indicates enhanced domestic demand sentiment. International buyers meanwhile went into fear mode due to anticipation of trade policy changes, locking up stocks early, putting extra pressure on supply.

In April, these dynamics are showing no signs of receding. ChemAnalyst sees Carnitine prices in China likely staying on a higher path, due to tight supply situation and persistent downstream off-takes. Maintenance-led disruptions having been expected to dent production capacities within the coming weeks and overseas buyers still in play in the market, Carnitine price direction looks bright. Market players are watching closely policy trends and supply chain execution, expecting additional price volatility in Carnitine if constraints continue during the second quarter of 2025.