According to the existing information, it is expected that Sodium Bisulfite costs will undergo a worldwide rise in October 2023 and the months ahead. This upward price trend is consistent with what was observed in the previous month when Sodium Bisulfite prices began to ascend again. This renewed price surge can be linked to several factors, including elevated raw material costs, increased manufacturing expenditures, higher production volumes, rising market demand, and a notable supply shortage. Additionally, inflationary pressures resulting from disruptions contribute to the rising costs of raw materials, production, and transportation.

Regarding demand patterns, critical sectors have significantly inclined toward Sodium Bisulfite. Furthermore, the upswing in Sodium Bisulfite prices can be traced back to manufacturers grappling with limitations in fulfilling the surging demand. With the onset of the new quarter, Q3, it is anticipated that businesses in both domestic and international markets will place substantial large-scale orders to replenish their stockpiles, thus enhancing market confidence even further.

The pricing trajectory of Sodium Bisulfite has displayed notable resilience in recent times. This can be ascribed to two primary factors: firstly, there has been a significant decrease in Sodium Bisulfite production from manufacturers, and secondly, the principal raw material for Sodium Bisulfite, namely Sulfur, has witnessed a considerable uptick in its pricing. The cost of Sulfur, the pivotal component, has remained steadfast, maintaining steady production capacity and a relatively stable trading environment. Current developments point toward a growing demand for downstream Sulfur derivatives, which is anticipated to tilt the supply-demand equilibrium. Consequently, we foresee a robust path for Sodium Bisulfite pricing in the near term, contingent upon the demand in the downstream market, potentially resulting in price appreciation.

Analysts anticipate that China's crude oil imports from Saudi Arabia in the third quarter will continue to show a sluggish trend. This is because China has been strategically utilizing its previously amassed reserves in response to a decrease in purchases by refiners. The decline in purchasing activity was instigated by oil prices surging beyond $80 per barrel, mainly due to limitations on supply imposed by the OPEC+ alliance, which includes OPEC and Russia. Meanwhile, there has been a notable uptick in Sodium Bisulfite prices in the U.S. market. This price increase is attributed to the summer surge in crude oil prices stemming from an imbalance in supply and demand, particularly during the U.S. summer driving season, which concluded on October 1st.

Additionally, demand from Latin America has played a role in driving up Sodium Bisulfite prices. Simultaneously, OPEC, under the leadership of Saudi Arabia and in collaboration with Russia, has implemented production cuts to align their output with market demand. Their focus has been particularly on meeting China's demand, which had not fully rebounded from the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.