For the Quarter Ending September 2025
APAC
鈥� In China, the Propyl Paraben Price Index fell by 0.12% quarter-over-quarter, with marginal oversupply constrained upward.
鈥� The average Propyl Paraben price for the quarter was approximately USD 6761.67/MT as reported regionally.
鈥� Propyl Paraben Spot Price softened as downstream buyers delayed purchases and regional sellers increased volumes.
鈥� Short-term Propyl Paraben Price Forecast suggests limited upside while global inventories remain adequately supplied.
鈥� A steady feedstock environment supported a muted Propyl Paraben Production Cost Trend, preventing producer restarts.
鈥� The Propyl Paraben Demand Outlook remained weak as cosmetics demand growth slowed and substitution pressures increased.
鈥� The Propyl Paraben Price Index was constrained by ample export allocations and limited seasonal restocking.
鈥� Chinese producer operating rates stayed elevated, supporting available supply and keeping near-term price pressure.
Why did the price of Propyl Paraben change in September 2025 in APAC?
鈥� Marginal oversupply from sustained Chinese production increased availability, exerting downward pressure on regional spot values.
鈥� Stable feedstock costs limited cost recovery, reducing the incentive for producers to raise Propyl Paraben prices.
鈥� Logistical normalization improved shipments, meeting export demand and muting seasonal restocking otherwise would lift prices.
Europe
鈥� In Germany, the Propyl Paraben Price Index fell by 0.18% quarter-over-quarter, reflecting a marginal supply surplus.
鈥� The average Propyl Paraben price for the quarter was approximately USD 6836.67/MT, CFR Hamburg delivery terms.
鈥� Propyl Paraben Spot Price showed limited movement as regional buyers deferred purchases, awaiting downstream demand signals.
鈥� Propyl Paraben Price Forecast remains neutral with modest downside risk from ample inventory across Europe.
鈥� Propyl Paraben Production Cost Trend was stable as feedstock and energy costs eased during the quarter.
鈥� Propyl Paraben Demand Outlook is muted due to slower pharmaceutical and cosmetic seasonal buying patterns.
鈥� Regional Propyl Paraben Price Index stability contrasted with weaker export enquiries pressuring spot liquidity downside.
鈥� Limited plant turnarounds supported supply continuity while export competition modestly influenced near-term trade flows.
Why did the price of Propyl Paraben change in September 2025 in Europe?
鈥� Modest decline driven by balanced supply and demand with inventories marginally higher across European warehouses.
鈥� Stable feedstock pricing and easing energy costs reduced production pressure, tempering upward Propyl Paraben pricing momentum.
鈥� Soft export enquiries and cautious behavior amid logistics bottlenecks constrained spot activity, limiting upside potential.
North America
鈥� In the USA, the Propyl Paraben Price Index fell by 0.0% quarter-over-quarter, reflecting balanced supply conditions.
鈥� The average Propyl Paraben price for the quarter was approximately USD 6886.67/MT, supporting procurement planning.
鈥� Propyl Paraben Spot Price remained rangebound as feedstock supply and logistics supported stable manufacturer purchasing.
鈥� Propyl Paraben Price Forecast indicates limited upside given balanced inventories, steady demand, and modest exports.
鈥� Propyl Paraben Production Cost Trend remained flat as raw material and energy prices held steady.
鈥� Propyl Paraben Demand Outlook is stable as personal care and industrial preservative demand remained consistent.
鈥� Propyl Paraben Price Index remained muted as plant uptime and distributor inventory adjustments balanced flows.
鈥� Propyl Paraben Spot Price liquidity was adequate, enabling distributors and formulators to transact measured volumes.
Why did the price of Propyl Paraben change in September 2025 in North America?
鈥� Balanced regional production and steady demand limited price movement despite routine logistic and handling costs.
鈥� Stable feedstock and energy input costs constrained production cost movement, maintaining margins and limiting pass-through.
鈥� Moderate export activity and adequate inventories prevented significant short-term price adjustments across regional markets.
For the Quarter Ending March 2025
North America
In Q1 2025, the U.S. Propyl Paraben market experienced a fluctuating price trend, beginning with a strong upward movement in January. The price surge was primarily driven by robust demand from the personal care and food sectors, coupled with supply constraints. Strategic output adjustments by manufacturers, rising freight rates, and higher raw material costs further supported the bullish momentum. Disruptions at the Port of Los Angeles, including labor shortages and increased demurrage fees, created logistical challenges that reduced inventory availability and forced buyers to adjust procurement strategies, leading to elevated prices.
However, in February, the market witnessed a sharp decline in prices due to demand-side weakness and rising inventory levels. Downstream industries such as pharmaceuticals and personal care adopted a cautious stance, prioritizing inventory management after preemptive stockpiling in January. Additionally, an influx of early shipments from China ahead of the Lunar New Year led to oversupply. Falling transpacific freight rates and stable production costs further intensified competition from imports, prompting domestic suppliers to lower prices to retain market share.
By the end of Q1 2025, Propyl Paraben prices reflected an overall declining trend. The bearish sentiment was reinforced by subdued demand, ongoing economic uncertainty, and trade policy concerns. Despite the January surge, market fundamentals shifted towards oversupply and weak buyer sentiment, weighing heavily on price performance.
Asia Pacific
In Q1 2025, the Propyl Paraben market in China experienced significant price volatility. January saw a notable rebound in export prices, supported by a surge in international procurement ahead of potential tariff changes by the new U.S. administration. Chinese suppliers, having destocked in late 2024, recalibrated their pricing strategies amidst rising demand, logistical challenges, and higher domestic inflation. A temporary plant shutdown further tightened supply, while the pharmaceutical and food sectors sustained steady demand.
However, this bullish trend reversed sharply in February. Prices declined significantly due to weak domestic consumption, excess inventories, and reduced international demand. The Lunar New Year holiday disrupted industrial activity, compounding supply chain inefficiencies. Ongoing trade restrictions, particularly with the U.S., limited export opportunities, while falling n-Propanol prices lowered production costs, enabling suppliers to cut prices to stay competitive. High stock levels in key importing regions added to the downward pressure.
By March, the market stabilized at lower price levels. Despite modest recovery in overseas inquiries, buyer sentiment remained cautious, and on-demand procurement dominated. The quarter concluded with prices lower than their January peak, driven by supply-demand imbalance, subdued raw material costs, and sluggish downstream recovery. Market sentiment remained watchful heading into Q2 2025.
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The Propyl Paraben market in Germany experienced notable fluctuations during Q1 2025, starting with a price increase in January. This rise was driven by heightened procurement activities, particularly from international suppliers, as German buyers secured inventory ahead of anticipated disruptions from the Lunar New Year. A more structured market environment, along with improved procurement dynamics and strengthened economic sentiment, contributed to this price uptick. Despite weak demand from key sectors like pharmaceuticals and food, the market showed resilience, supported by strategic purchasing and stable supply chain conditions.
In February, however, the market shifted towards a decline in prices. This downturn was driven by subdued demand, as buyers focused on managing excess inventories built up during the earlier months. The easing of logistical constraints, coupled with a significant drop in ocean freight rates, helped reduce procurement costs. Additionally, the strengthened euro made imports more affordable, further pushing prices lower. The combination of improved supply conditions and a cautious demand outlook led to a downward price adjustment.
By the end of Q1 2025, the Propyl Paraben market in Germany is expected to stabilize, with prices likely remaining flat or showing slight downward pressure. While supply chain improvements and stock clearance efforts may support price stability, weak demand will likely continue to dampen price growth, leading to a more predictable but cautious market outlook moving forward.
For the Quarter Ending December 2024
North America
In Q4 2024, the U.S. Propyl paraben market faced multiple economic headwinds that shaped the overall market sentiment on the bearish side. The quarter began with an upward price trend due to seasonal demand from the personal care and pharmaceutical sectors. Elevated shipping costs from Asian suppliers, coupled with rising fuel charges and supply chain constraints, further increased landed costs. The impending strike by the International Longshore and Warehouse Union (ILWU) exacerbated trading sentiment, prompting traders to shift to other ports, particularly on the West Coast.
However, by November, the market shifted downward. Increased imports from China, driven by competitive production costs and a weaker yuan, made Chinese exports more cost-effective, putting pressure on domestic prices. High domestic inventories reflected weaker-than-expected demand from the pharmaceutical and food preservative industries. Suppliers struggled with rising inventory levels and declining demand from key sectors, including personal care, pharma, and confectionery.聽
Additionally, Prices faced downward pressure due to increased competition from global markets, particularly China, where lower input costs and improved production efficiencies further dampened U.S. prices. Cautious buyers, amid policy uncertainties, delayed large-scale purchases, contributing to market stagnation. By December, values settled at USD 6,995/MT CFR Los Angeles.
Asia Pacific
In Q4 2024, the Propyl Paraben market in China experienced a bearish trend, characterized by supply and demand imbalances and price fluctuations. In October, prices surged due to increased procurement ahead of the holiday season and rising pharmaceutical demand. The yuan鈥檚 depreciation raised import costs but improved trader margins. Reduced stock levels from major producers further affected both domestic and international markets. Typhoon disruptions caused shipping delays (36-60 hours) and higher freight costs, adding to trade instability and pushing up export prices. However, by November, prices began to decline, driven by reduced demand from the pharmaceutical, personal care, and industrial sectors. Oversupply led suppliers to adopt competitive pricing strategies to clear excess inventory. The announcement of potential new tariffs prompted aggressive destocking among Chinese suppliers, who offered discounted pricing. Currency manipulation by China, in response to tariff threats, further destabilized the market.
Foreign buyers remained cautious, limiting their purchases to immediate needs, which intensified the supply-demand imbalance. By December, with no recovery in overseas markets, export prices from China were settled at USD 6840/MT FOB Shanghai, continuing the downward price trajectory across sectors.
Europe
In the fourth quarter of 2024, the Propyl Paraben market in Germany experienced fluctuations driven by supply-demand imbalances. Initially, prices saw a slight rise, supported by increased demand across downstream sectors and rising import prices due to higher production costs in key producing countries. However, as the quarter progressed, a significant price drop occurred. This was driven by weak demand from pharmaceuticals and cosmetics, leading to lower consumption and reduced trading volumes. The broader economic slowdown in Europe, along with declining industrial output and consumer spending, exacerbated the situation. The weakened euro further diminished the purchasing power of importers, contributing to hesitancy in making large purchases. This resulted in excess inventory and forced suppliers to adopt aggressive pricing strategies to clear stock. Seasonal disruptions, including port delays and adverse weather, added additional strain to the supply chain. Despite these challenges, subdued demand in the preservative sector maintained negative market sentiment concerning the propylparaben. As a result, By December, the market had shifted to a buyer's market, with prices settling at USD 6960/MT CFR Hamburg as the year concluded.
For the Quarter Ending September 2024
North America
In Q3 2024, the North American market experienced a notable downward trend in Propyl Paraben prices, with the USA facing the most significant adjustments. The overall price decline was influenced by weak demand, both regionally and overseas, particularly in the pharmaceutical, excipients and personal care industries, where consumption remained low.
聽This imbalance between supply and demand, combined with reduced market trading activity, intensified pricing pressures across the nations with the USA recording a -1% price change from the previous quarter. Several factors drove this downward trend, including abundant supply, fluctuating demand, and rising freight costs. The continuous depreciation of the dollar against other currencies also made domestic products relatively more expensive, reducing consumer purchases.聽
However, the quarter witnessed a steady upward movement in prices at both the beginning and end. This increase was attributed to higher freight costs, elevating import prices for regional buyers, and a rise in consumption in both domestic and export markets, particularly in the pharmaceutical and nutraceutical sectors. The demand surge at the end of the quarter was ahead of the winter holiday season and encouraged traders across the personal care sectors to procure the goods to prevent further trade disruptions, countering the overall negative price trend. By the end of Q3, Propyl Paraben was priced at USD 7,030 per metric ton, CFR Los Angeles.
Asia Pacific
In the third quarter of 2024, the APAC region, particularly China, experienced a consistent upward trend in Propyl Paraben prices, driven by a combination of supply chain disruptions, economic recovery, and seasonal demand. Container shortages and port congestion led to increased transportation costs, which were passed on to product pricing. Simultaneously, raw material shortages and production bottlenecks further pressured manufacturers, struggling to meet demand amid resource constraints. The global economic recovery fueled consumer spending across sectors such as pharmaceuticals, while rising energy costs added to production expenses, pushing prices higher. While on the demand side, downstream purchasings for Propyl Paraben remained strong, with key importing nations increasing bulk procurement to safeguard against potential supply chain disruptions and capitalize on favorable pricing conditions. This proactive restocking strategy, coupled with an optimistic trade outlook, further supported the price rise.
Additionally, the appreciation of the Chinese yuan against the US dollar made exports from China more expensive for foreign buyers, contributing to the upward price movement. Seasonal factors, including heightened consumer activity ahead of the festive and winter seasons, amplified demand. Buyers, particularly in the food manufacturing and pharmaceutical industries, strategically built up inventories to avoid future supply delays. Overall, the interplay of reduced production capacity, logistical challenges, rising demand, currency fluctuations, and seasonal influences sustained price growth throughout the quarter. By the end of Q3 2024, Propyl Paraben prices reached USD 6,900 per metric ton, FOB Shanghai, underscoring the persistent upward trend and bullish sentiment in the market.
Europe
During Q3 2024, the European region experienced a decline in Propyl paraben prices, reflecting a complex interplay of market dynamics. The quarter began with strong demand from downstream industries, particularly retail and local suppliers, fostering optimism despite higher prices. However, this initial surge was not sustained, as purchasing sentiments fluctuated and supply outpaced demand, resulting in an overall downward trend in August 2024. Mid-quarter saw significant price drops due to lower-than-expected inquiries and increased transportation costs ahead of maintenance shutdowns in key producing countries further impacting the market trading atmosphere creating a supply-demand imbalanced scenario and buyers to reduce their newer purchasings. Currency fluctuations also influenced import prices, complicating the economic landscape for buyers. As a result,聽 in anticipation of a similar trend in the future, the suppliers adopted cautious strategies to manage shifting conditions. However, towards the end of Q3, a steady rebound in prices emerged, indicating a more balanced supply-demand scenario. Overall, Germany, in particular, witnessed the most significant price changes within the region. The market in Germany reflected a significant downward trajectory, with trend showcasing decreasing throughout the quarter. Ultimately, the quarter ended with the price of Propyl Paraben CFR Hamburg in Germany standing at USD 7045/MT, highlighting the prevalent negative sentiment and challenging pricing environment experienced throughout Q3 2024.
