Chinese Manufacturers to Hike Metronidazole API Prices in February 2023

Life is becoming more costly. Just look at the rising cost of gas globally, the inflation rate, and the scarcity of raw materials. The whole supply chain is impacted, and the pharmaceutical sector is no exception. It will not be long before we start to see price rises.

After a COVID surge in China, a shortage of several APIs, including Metronidazole API, among major manufacturers was seen. Since optimizing China's COVID-19 policy, many Chinese pharmaceutical companies, such as National Pharmaceutical Group Co Ltd and Sinopharm drugmakers, have increased production in January 2023, ahead of the Lunar New Year holiday. Also, industrial input prices of Metronidazole API increased at one of the fastest rates over the preceding few months from January as supply constraints were made worse by rising transportation costs.

However, the prices of Metronidazole API in the Chinese market showcased a rise on the back of an increase in regional and international demand from German and US buyers ahead of the escalating orders from drugmakers. Moreover, demand from downstream pharmaceutical sectors also gained momentum before the vacation, resulting in a considerable inventory decrease that further caused an increment of 4.7% in the prices of Metronidazole API during January 2023. As per the ChemAnalyst database, the Metronidazole API price was settled around USD 33260/MT FOB Shanghai on January 27.

The ChemAnalyst team predicts that the price of Metronidazole API will rise further over the next few months as the API production sector gradually resumes operations following the Lunar New Year break. Additionally, Metronidazole API suppliers are more likely to enhance their pricing in order to keep a profit margin. Despite the industrial chain's moderate trade sentiment, orders from downstream industries following the Spring Festival show strong hopes. Since China's economy is anticipated to recover, there is also a relatively high level of readiness to boost the Metronidazole API price.