The prices of Vitamin B4 experienced a significant rise in January 2025, driven by several key factors. One of the primary drivers of the price increase was the robust demand from the pharmaceutical and animal nutrition sectors. Vitamin B4, also known as Adenine, plays a crucial role in metabolic processes and is widely used in dietary supplements, livestock feed, and medical formulations.

• Strong demand from pharmaceuticals and animal nutrition drove Vitamin B4 prices up.
• Production slowdowns in China limited exports, driving up competition and prices.
• Frontloading of imports ahead of potential tariff hikes increased shipping costs and overall prices.
• Elevated ocean freight costs, expected to continue, further contributed to import price increases.
• Southern California wildfires disrupted port operations and transportation, causing supply shortages and price increases.

The United States primarily sources its Vitamin B4 imports from China, where manufacturing activity typically slows down ahead of the Chinese Lunar New Year. This year, the holiday began on January 29, prompting several Chinese producers to curtail operations in the preceding weeks to manage workforce availability and factory shutdown schedules. The anticipation of reduced output led to limited export availability, forcing U.S. importers to compete for dwindling supplies, thus inflating market prices.

The anticipation of tariff hikes under the Trump administration has led to a frontloading of imports, with businesses accelerating shipments from China to the U.S. before the tariffs take effect. This surge in early imports has contributed to higher ocean freight volumes and elevated shipping rates, which, in turn, have increased the overall cost of imported goods, including Vitamin B4. Moreover, the prolonged period of high freight rates, expected to last through Q1 and possibly into Q2, is expected to keep import costs elevated, further pushing up Vitamin B4 prices in the USA.

The wildfires across Southern California, particularly in Los Angeles, which had escalated into a state of emergency on January 7, 2025, significantly impacted supply chains, contributing to the rise in Vitamin B4 prices in the USA. The disruption to port operations in Los Angeles, a crucial gateway for imports, had led to delays in the shipment of Vitamin B4 from overseas suppliers. Additionally, the wildfires had disrupted transportation networks, creating logistical bottlenecks that further delayed deliveries to distributors and end-users. As a result, supply shortages had emerged in the market, making it difficult for businesses to secure adequate inventory. With demand for nutraceuticals, including Vitamin B4, remaining steady, the constrained supply had pushed prices upward as buyers competed for limited stock.

The near-term outlook for Vitamin B4 in the USA appears uncertain due to several factors. Production slowdowns in China ahead of the Lunar New Year, along with ongoing high ocean freight costs and the looming threat of tariff increases, are likely to maintain upward pressure on import expenses. These factors are expected to continue influencing market conditions for the foreseeable future.