¹û½´ÊÓƵ

The US market experienced a sharp fall in Vitamin B4 prices in April 2025, following a spike in March. This fall is due to a dynamic interaction between trade policy trends, market conservative sentiment, and changing conditions in China — the leading source of Vitamin B4 imports into the United States.

Vitamin B4 prices increased during March as US purchasers rushed to prepay arrivals before expected tariff hikes on Chinese imports. President Donald Trump made drastic new tariffs public on April 2, including a 145% tariff on some Chinese imports, effective April 9. The announcement triggered a frontloading rush as purchasers rushed to import inventories before the deadline. The rush generated over demand and temporary price spike for Vitamin B4.

However, things shifted notably in April. With Vitamin B4 stock heavily laden as a consequence of pre-tariff purchases, American buyers went widely inactive. Even with fears over tightening vitamin supplies and impending maintenance shutdowns of manufacturing plants, the market saw little new buying interest. Importers took a wait-and-see approach and were content to stand back for more definitive pricing trends in the face of persistent market uncertainty.

Adding to this, China — the world's top exporter of Vitamin B4 to America — also reported a sharp drop in a factory activity. The manufacturing Purchasing Managers' Index (PMI) fell to 49.0 in April, lowest since December 2023, as U.S. tariffs began to take a bite. Factory production fell as reductions in output and order cancellations surged, reflecting the negative effect of the newly imposed U.S. tariffs on China's export-oriented manufacturing industry.

Despite these supply-side disruptions, the U.S. market did not experience upward pressure on Vitamin B4 prices in April. Instead, the frontloading-driven inventory surplus and limited current demand helped ease Vitamin B4 pricing. The short window between the tariff announcement and implementation also allowed shippers to dispatch final consignments before the April 9 deadline, further reducing immediate supply concerns.Ìý

Market dynamics were further eroded by the entry of new players and constant uncertainty about trade and policy changes. As a result, with potential supply changes, the general mood among consumers remains risk-averse and cautious.

Anticipation of U.S. President Donald Trump relaxing tariffs on Chinese imports, as the world's two largest economies' top trade negotiators meet before negotiations, is expected to impact Vitamin B4 prices, as per ¹û½´ÊÓƵ analysis. U.S. buyers are expected to put new purchases on hold, awaiting more clarity in the trade scenario, which would lead to Vitamin B4 prices stabilizing.