In December 2024, Glyoxylic Acid prices showed contrasting trends globally. In Asia, prices fell due to weak demand and ample supply. In contrast, Western markets saw a price surge, driven by strong demand from the cosmetics sector ahead of the festive season. This seasonal demand boosted manufacturers' pricing power. The regional price disparity reflects differences in market fundamentals, such as inventory levels and production rates, which continued to shape global price dynamics for Glyoxylic Acid during this period.

During the first half of December 2024, Glyoxylic Acid prices in the European market witnessed a substantial surge, driven by strong demand from the downstream cosmetics and personal care sectors, particularly in the United Kingdom and Italy. The festive season, encompassing Christmas and New Year celebrations, played a pivotal role in this upward trend. Retail activity in the UK, fueled by last-minute Christmas shopping, saw a significant boost, with market towns reporting a 50% increase in pace compared to the previous year. This heightened consumer activity translated into increased demand for cosmetics and personal care products, which heavily utilize Glyoxylic Acid as a key raw material. Moreover, the European Union's ongoing anti-dumping measures on Chinese Glyoxylic Acid have constrained imports, leading to a slight shortage in the regional market. This import restriction further amplified supply-side pressures, enabling local manufacturers to increase prices amidst robust seasonal demand. The confluence of supply constraints and surging consumer-driven demand underscores the dynamics influencing the European Glyoxylic Acid market, as producers leverage festive consumer spending and trade policies to sustain price growth.

On the other hand, The Chinese Glyoxylic Acid market has experienced price stability in recent weeks, despite various underlying dynamics. While the price of key feedstock Nitric Acid declined during the same period, prompting a reduction in production costs, the price of Glyoxylic Acid remained stable. This stability can be attributed to a combination of factors, including surplus availability within the market and logistical challenges. Port congestion across China has contributed to an accumulation of Glyoxylic Acid inventories, with severe weather conditions exacerbating delays at major ports such as Shanghai, Ningbo, Qingdao, and Yantian. These disruptions, including sailing cancellations and extended waiting times, have led to a bottleneck in the supply chain, preventing significant price fluctuations. Despite these supply-side challenges, demand for Glyoxylic Acid in both domestic and international markets has remained strong, particularly driven by seasonal demand from the personal care and cosmetics industries. However, the persistent supply surplus and inventory accumulation have mitigated any upward pressure on prices, maintaining a relatively stable market environment.

ChemAnalyst forecasts a rise in global Glyoxylic Acid prices in the coming months, driven by ongoing supply chain disruptions and strong demand from downstream industries, particularly cosmetics and personal care, due to the approaching festive seasons in Western markets. These factors are expected to exert upward pressure on prices.