The US   prices witnessed a slight downtrend in the week ending on 10^th January 2025. The prices declined by 0.8%, reflecting fluctuations in market dynamics. The prices had remained stable and steady for the past several weeks. The bearish trend in prices of Chloroform was primarily attributed to the decline in feedstock Methanol costs in the market.

In the coming weeks, Chloroform prices are expected to decline further amid decreasing production costs. Feedstock Methanol prices are anticipated to decrease further, which may support the bearish market sentiment. Overall demand of Chloroform from major downstream sectors continued to be weak, contributing to the price decline.

The current market conditions for Chloroform were influenced by the imbalance between supply and demand dynamics. Major downstream sectors, including the pharmaceutical and agrochemical sectors, witnessed mixed trends. Over the past 7 days, the pharmaceutical industry dropped by 1.9%, driven by a pullback from Eli Lilly of 5.4%. Over the last year, the industry has been flat overall. The drop in the industry led to decreased demand for Chloroform from this sector. In the agrochemical sector, purchasing activity for fertilizers in the North American market remained relatively subdued this week.

Domestic fertilizer demand has experienced a decline as suppliers have announced winter fill and spring prepay prices. This has led to a cautious approach among buyers, who are likely holding off on large purchases in anticipation of more favorable pricing terms in the coming months. The current pricing environment and the timing of seasonal purchasing decisions have contributed to the reduced buying interest, with stakeholders opting to wait for potential price adjustments or changes in market conditions before making significant commitments. The off-season for agriculture has also contributed to the decline in demand for Chloroform.

On the supply side, the first week of January witnessed major setbacks due to weather conditions. California’s ongoing wildfires continued to pose significant challenges near Los Angeles and Long Beach. Some fires are still burning, posing serious challenges. Carriers and shippers are monitoring the situation closely. The risk of the fire continuing to grow and spread toward densely populated areas could lead to significant delays or interruptions in transportation services. However, deliveries in the affected zones have understandably been delayed. While the feedstock market remained stable, all these factors, including stable production costs for Chloroform and subdued demand dynamics from major downstream sectors like the pharmaceutical and agrochemical sectors, weighed on the prices of Chloroform during the week.