Calcium propionate prices moved upward during March 2025 and had significant effects on the major global markets such as China, the United States, and Germany. The basic food preservative and drug ingredients enjoyed uniform price rises due to shortages of supply and strong demand from various sectors.

Chinese producers raised calcium propionate prices significantly in early March, after the Lunar New Year holiday. Production plants accelerated runs but were unable to keep pace with increasing demand from pharmaceutical, nutraceutical, and food companies. Supply-side issues with major producers posting tight inventory levels contributed to immediate price support to calcium propionate market prices.

The calcium propionate market was steady in an upward price trend during the month and the Manufacturers were in a favorable position, capturing higher profit margins as customers bid for meager supplies.

In the United States, prices of calcium propionate followed similar patterns, with logistics being a determining factor. Although official clearance of port congestion at major hubs such as Savannah and New York/New Jersey, residual impacts still affected calcium propionate supply chains. Prolonged vessel waiting times, equipment shortages, and container return problems, constrained product availability in domestic markets.

German importers were even more challenged as both Chinese and U.S. calcium propionate supplies became more costly and harder to find. European pharmaceutical firms and food manufacturers scrambled to buy up calcium propionate, further fueling price rises.

Raw material costs played a considerable role in the dynamics of pricing calcium propionate. Propionic acid, used as the key ingredient in calcium propionate production, was stable at high levels in China in March. Cost support came from strong feedstock ethylene prices, and improving downstream demand, especially in the herbicide segment with seasonally boosted agricultural activities.

By the fourth week of March, shortages in the supply of calcium propionate had worsened as a result of peak seasonal demand. Food processing and pharmaceutical firms fiercely competed for stocks of calcium propionate, which resulted in increased bidding and fast-paced appreciation in transaction prices.

It has been noted calcium propionate purchasers taking on increasingly assertive purchasing tactics, even tolerating high prices to secure continuity of supply. This has resulted in steep price increases for calcium propionate across the region.

Market analysts forecast calcium propionate prices to stay tight in the short term as a result of ongoing logistical disruptions, elevated production costs, and ongoing demand. Although stabilization was witnessed during late March with better supply flows and relief in import constraints, the general market sentiment for calcium propionate remains bullish.

The calcium propionate supply situation reflects wider global supply chain exposures that continue to impact chemical ingredient markets globally. Industry players keenly observe currency movements, raw materials prices, and changing global trade conditions, which continue to be primary considerations influencing calcium propionate price stability and purchasing decisions ahead into the second quarter of 2025.