For the Quarter Ending December 2024
North America
During the fourth quarter of 2024, the Erucic Acid market in North America experienced a modest increase in prices, reflecting steady demand and consistent offtakes from key industries, despite some supply constraints. Production rates in the region remained stable, but challenges in the availability of feedstocks, particularly Rapeseed Oil, arose due to a lower harvest and reduced crushing activity. This tight supply of raw materials contributed to higher production costs, which in turn supported price increases.
Demand across sectors like food and cosmetics remained steady, with the cosmetics sector maintaining stable consumption despite ongoing concerns regarding ingredient safety and regulatory scrutiny. Meanwhile, the food sector showed consistent demand for Erucic Acid, although economic factors, such as inflationary pressures, slightly influenced consumption.
While logistical issues and supply chain disruptions affected the overall flow of goods, North American producers managed to maintain production levels, with a slight uptick in raw material processing helping to support supply. Despite some challenges in manufacturing and industrial activity, Erucic Acid prices in the region saw a modest rise due to these supply-side factors.
APAC
In the Asian region, the Erucic Acid market experienced a modest price increase of 1% compared to the previous quarter during Q4 of 2024. Despite facing moderate to low stock availability due to weak production rates, demand from downstream industries remained steady, supporting the overall market sentiment. One of the key supply-side challenges was the low availability of Rapeseed Oil in the key exporter Europe, driven by a decline in the Rapeseed harvest and reduced crushing rates in the European region. However, the European Union's oilseed crushing volumes increased by 11% month-on-month, which helped boost Rapeseed Oil production, alleviating some supply pressures. While logistical disruptions in China, primarily due to Typhoon Kong-Rey, affected import volumes, Erucic Acid demand in sectors like cosmetics and paints remained resilient. The global decline in rapeseed production contributed to rising feedstock costs, which could have exerted downward pressure on production costs. However, this was countered by steady demand in the paints and coatings industries and the growing expansion of the cosmetics market, particularly in Asia. Despite these challenges, the Erucic Acid market maintained its upward price trend, ending the quarter with a nominal overall increase in prices.
Europe
During the fourth quarter of 2024, the Erucic Acid market experienced a slight increase in prices in the European region, with an overall rise of 1% compared to the previous quarter. The increase in prices was primarily driven by steady demand and firm offtakes from downstream industries, despite moderate supply constraints. While production rates remained stable, the availability of feedstocks, particularly Rapeseed Oil, was low due to a decline in the Rapeseed harvest and crushing rates, which supported higher prices. Additionally, the demand in the food sector remained steady, and the cosmetics sector saw stable consumption despite growing concerns about ingredient safety. The stability in supply from regional producers and the slight increase in rapeseed crushing volumes in the EU helped maintain production levels, although logistical challenges, including port congestion and weather disruptions, impacted the flow of goods. Despite weaker manufacturing activity in the Eurozone, which exerted downward pressure on demand in certain sectors like paints and coatings, Erucic Acid prices saw a modest rise as supply-side factors played a key role in supporting market dynamics.
For the Quarter Ending September 2024
North America
In Q3 2024, the Erucic Acid price trend oscillated in the North American region, showcasing moderate sentiments in the market. At the beginning of the quarter, prices witnessed a notable increase, driven by a combination of factors influencing the market dynamics. Factors such as steady demand, limited supplies, and cost support from feedstock Rapeseed Oil and affected supplies due to hurricanes in the region contributed to the overall bullish market sentiment, highlighting a stable and robust pricing landscape for Erucic Acid in the region.
In the middle of the third quarter, Erucic Acid production rates improved in the key producer in European region because of the improved availability of raw material supplies. The offtakes were moderate, and market players reduced their quotations. The correlation in price changes demonstrated a positive sentiment, with an increase in mid-Q3.
Towards the end of Q3, the impact of Hurricane Helene resulted in reduced manufacturing activities and demand from end-user industries and an increase in domestic stockpiles. The market players again reduced their Erucic Acid quotations.
APAC
Like the North American region, the Erucic Acid price trend in the APAC region has been characterized by a fluctuating pricing environment. Initially, the quarter witnessed a significant surge in demand for Erucic Acid from various industries, particularly the cosmetics and personal care sectors. This uptick in demand, coupled with moderate supply levels, led to a bullish market sentiment. Additionally, cost support from feedstock Rapeseed Oil contributed to the rise in production costs of Erucic Acid during the period, as upstream Rapeseed Oil availability was low due to disrupted weather affecting harvests in major producing regions. However, towards the end of the quarter, the Erucic Acid price trend shifted movement, and prices witnessed a decline due to improved inventory levels in the region due to reduced demand from biodiesel manufacturers and low offtakes from the food sector. At the same time, the demand was sluggish from the personal care product manufacturers, which raised the market inventory levels, and market players negatively revised their quotations to improve offtakes.
Europe
In Q3 2024, the Erucic Acid market in Europe seesawed and prices fluctuated throughout the quarter. Several factors influenced this trend, including ample supply levels, reduced demand from key industries like Biodiesel and Pharma, and moderate production costs supported by abundant Rapeseed Oil availability. In the mid-quarter, reduced production with a consistent decline in the Eurozone Manufacturing PMI Index resulted in low supplies to the market. It stressed the inventory levels amid firm offtakes. Supply-side dynamics also played a role, as supply availability was moderately low during the summer holidays creating imbalanced demand-supply dynamics. Yet demand failed to match this increase, as The Eurozone's beauty sector demand continued to remain robust, significantly impacting Erucic Acid consumption. Seasonality played a role as summer holidays resulted in labor shortages and reduced manufacturing rates, impacting supply chains. However, the Erucic Acid price trend again oscillated as production costs eased amid the increase in the feedstock Rapeseed Oil supplies in the market due to an increase in Rapeseed imports in the region. Conclusively, the quarter concluded with no change in previous quarter prices, reflecting the prevailing stability in the market.
For the Quarter Ending June 2024
North America
In Q2 2024, the North American Erucic Acid market experienced price increases driven by several key factors. Supply constraints due to production disruptions and plant shutdowns at major facilities contributed to the upward trend. Shortages of feedstocks, especially soybean and rapeseed oil, further exacerbated the supply-demand imbalance, pushing prices higher. Inflationary pressures and moderate operating rates at manufacturing units increased production costs. Although global freight costs decreased, logistical challenges and labor strikes particularly affecting air and ocean freight offset these reductions.
In the US, where price fluctuations were most pronounced, the market showed strong bullish sentiment. Increased energy consumption during the summer boosted demand for Erucic Acid in biodiesel production. Rising feedstock costs were closely linked to higher finished product prices, reflecting a tight supply chain. Prices rose compared to the previous quarter and saw an increase between the first and second halves of Q2, indicating a stable yet upward trend.
Overall, Q2 2024 marked a peak in the positive pricing environment for Erucic Acid in North America, driven by persistent supply constraints and strong demand from sectors such as pharmaceuticals and cosmetics.
APAC
In Q2 2024, the Erucic Acid market in the APAC region faced a downward pricing trend, with prices consistently falling in the second half of the quarter driven by several key factors. A drop in demand from major sectors like biodiesel and lubricants reduced market activity. Additionally, a slowdown in industrial production and economic activities across the region further decreased the need for Erucic Acid. Supply chain disruptions, including plant shutdowns and reduced capacity at major European facilities due to labor shortages and higher operational costs, also contributed to the negative pricing environment. In South Korea, Erucic Acid prices experienced the most significant changes, reflecting the broader regional trend. Seasonal factors, such as reduced industrial and consumer activity during the summer, led to lower demand. Prices fell by 4% from the previous quarter and by an additional 2% between the first and second halves of the quarter, highlighting the ongoing downward pressure. Overall, Q2 2024 was marked by a challenging pricing environment for Erucic Acid, driven by supply chain issues, plant shutdowns, and diminished demand across key sectors.
Europe
In Q2 2024, the European Erucic Acid market experienced increases in prices due to several significant factors. Supply constraints caused by production disruptions and plant shutdowns at key facilities contributed to the upward trend. Shortages of feedstock, particularly rapeseed oil, further intensified the supply-demand imbalance and pushed prices higher. Inflationary pressures in the Euro Area and moderate operating rates at manufacturing units increased production costs, adding to the price rise. Although global freight costs decreased, logistical challenges and labor strikes, especially affecting air and ocean freight, counterbalanced this reduction. In Germany, where price fluctuations were most pronounced, the market showed strong bullish sentiment. Increased energy consumption during the summer months boosted demand for Erucic Acid in biodiesel production. Rising feedstock costs were closely linked to higher finished product prices, reflecting a tight supply chain. Prices increased by 2% compared to the previous quarter and saw a 1% rise between the first and second halves of Q2, indicating stable but upward momentum. Overall, Q2 2024 marked a peak in the positive pricing environment for Erucic Acid, driven by persistent supply constraints and strong demand from sectors like pharmaceuticals and cosmetics.
For the Quarter Ending March 2024
North America
In the first quarter of 2024, the Erucic Acid prices remained stable on the lower end compared to the last quarter in the North American market. At the beginning of the quarter, prices rose as the availability of stocks was moderate to low in the market, and consumption improved after the New Year holidays. Simultaneously, offtakes were firm from the Biofuel manufacturers as a precursor for Biodiesel for blending purposes.
During the mid-quarter, prices declined amid moderate offtakes, firm availability of previous stocks, and vigilant buying activities. At the same time, raw material Rapeseed prices fell due to an oversupply of sunflower oil, adversely affecting Erucic Acid production costs.
Towards the end of the quarter, the price trend revamped as the production costs escalated due to a hike in feedstock Rapeseed Oil prices amidst firm demand from buyers during winter. At the same time, the food sector exhibited a surge in demand for Erucic Acid due to increased consumer orders for the Easter festival. Simultaneously, demand was firm for Erucic Acid from cosmetics manufacturers for oil-based products.
APAC
During the first quarter of 2024, the price trend of Erucic Acid showcased a mixed market situation, and prices increased compared to the previous quarter in the APAC region. At the beginning of Q1, imports were affected by supply chain disruption and increased ship traffic at ship routes due to attacks on the vessel and Oil tankers passing through the Red Sea in the Middle Eastern region. Simultaneously, the demand was firm from the cosmetics manufacturers amid oil-based cosmetics demand during winter. In the mid-quarter, Rapeseed prices dropped 7% due to an oversupply of sunflower oil in the European market. It negatively impacted Erucic Acid production costs. Exporters dropped their quotations due to improved availability of supplies amid vigilant buying activities in the international market and reduced demand for emollient production in the Pharma sector. Towards the end of the quarter, the price trend rebounded as demand improved from Biodiesel manufacturers as Biodiesel procurement activities rose before the Ramadan festival in Southeast Biodiesel producer Indonesia. Simultaneously, orders were firm for flavoring agents from the food sector. At the same time, global air cargo demand experienced consecutive increases, driven by the expanding e-commerce sector and disruptions in shipping routes, particularly in the Red Sea region, leading to fluctuations in air freight rates and product supplies from exporters to the regional market.
Europe
The European Erucic Acid market remained stable on the lower end compared to the previous quarter in Q1, 2024. Initially, producers raised their quotations as orders were firm from the cosmetics manufacturers amid oil-based cosmetics demand during winter. Simultaneously, production costs escalated due to a hike in feedstock Rapeseed Oil costs as Rapeseed prices increased by 2% amid firm demand in the EU market. In the mid-quarter, regional suppliers dropped their prices amid improved inventory levels in the regional market because of affliction in supplies to international markets due to heightened ship traffic and increased shipping durations amid the Red Sea crisis and cautious buying activities from buyers. At the same time, the orders were low for food flavouring agents from the food sector due to a rise in food inflation. Towards the end of the quarter, a shortage of skilled labor resulting from rising racial tensions in the region disrupted production schedules. Simultaneously, Lufthansa's operations in Germany faced disruptions due to repeated strikes by cargo handlers affiliated with the Verdi Union, leading to low supply rates for international buyers. Despite this, demand was firm for Erucic Acid from cosmetics manufacturers for oil-based products. Consequently, prices rose in the EU market.
