Menu
Menu
China
Vietnam
Philippines
India
Brazil
Indonesia
Mexico
TurkeyIn Q1 2025, export benzoic acid prices from China dipped further to USD 798/MT, marking a 3.52% decrease from the previous quarter. While still in decline, the reduced pace suggested that the market might be approaching the pricing floor. Demand remained subdued globally, with many buyers continuing to delay fresh orders due to leftover inventories from Q4.
Compared to the steep decline seen in Q4 2024, Q1’s correction was relatively mild, indicating tentative stabilization. However, weak end-user activity and persistent oversupply left suppliers grappling with tight margins, awaiting a stronger recovery from downstream industries.
In Q4 2024, Benzoic Acid exports from China fell steeply to an average price of USD 820/MT, marking a 16.41% drop from Q3. This significant decline resulted from a sharp reduction in global demand, inventory clearance activities, and a general slowdown in procurement ahead of the year-end. Many international buyers postponed orders amid ample stock and weak downstream consumption.
Compared to Q3’s stable pricing, Q4 reflected heightened bearishness, with excess supply overwhelming market needs. The quarter closed with downward pricing pressure across the board, reflecting restrained activity and limited buying enthusiasm across key regions.
In Q3 2024, China’s Benzoic Acid export prices experienced a slight rise to USD 981/MT, reflecting a 1.17% increase over Q2. This modest gain signaled a stabilizing market, supported by sustained demand from pharmaceutical, plasticizer, and resin producers. Exporters benefited from a more balanced inventory position and steady international orders.
Compared to the sharper price movement in Q2, Q3 showed signs of plateauing with more predictable pricing trends. While macroeconomic headwinds lingered, the supply-demand dynamic remained relatively steady, offering short-term confidence to suppliers navigating a cautiously recovering export landscape.
China’s Benzoic Acid export prices climbed to an average of USD 970/MT in Q2 2024, marking a 7.60% increase over Q1. This upward shift was largely attributed to a seasonal revival in demand, particularly from import-heavy regions like Southeast Asia and Europe. Industries linked to food preservation and personal care ramped up procurement, driving export volumes higher.
Additionally, improved port efficiency and replenishment of depleted inventories contributed to the pricing rebound. The quarter marked a turning point for Chinese exporters, offering a breather from earlier price suppression—though lingering global economic pressures continued to temper the broader growth outlook.
During Q1 2024, China’s export prices for Benzoic Acid averaged around USD 902/MT, declining 7.39% from the previous quarter. This drop stemmed from muted demand across global markets, particularly from the food additive and plastics sectors. Oversupply and high inventory levels prompted Chinese exporters to reduce prices in order to remain competitive.
Buyers remained hesitant, driven by broader economic uncertainties and restrained consumption trends. Compared to Q4 2023, the quarter marked the start of a bearish pricing cycle, indicating supply-demand imbalances and a cautious buying environment, despite consistent production output.
In Q1 2025, Benzoic Acid prices for India’s imports (CIF Nhava Sheva) dropped further to USD 871/MT, reflecting a 3.22% decrease from Q4 2024. The continued price slide was primarily due to lingering oversupply from Chinese exporters and weak restocking interest by Indian buyers.
Compared to Q1 2024 (USD 957/MT), this marks a significant year-on-year decline of 9%, emphasizing the subdued market sentiment. Procurement was limited to immediate needs, and overall trade activity remained muted. With ample inventories and a lack of strong demand signals, the market entered 2025 cautiously, awaiting signs of recovery in the downstream industries.
India’s CIF Nhava Sheva prices for Benzoic Acid declined sharply to USD 900/MT in Q4 2024, marking a 14.98% decrease over Q3. The price correction was influenced by reduced Chinese export prices and subdued domestic demand during the year-end lull.
Several Indian importers deferred fresh bookings as they worked through existing inventories. Compared to the steady pricing in Q2 and Q3, this quarter represented a bearish shift driven by lower international activity and downstream weakness. Importers faced reduced cost pressure, but overall sentiment turned conservative amid concerns of oversupply and limited demand revival across key user segments.
In Q3 2024, India’s Benzoic Acid import prices (CIF Nhava Sheva) inched up to USD 1059/MT, a 2.61% increase from Q2. The market stabilized with consistent shipments from China and steady offtake from Indian downstream industries, particularly food preservatives and cosmetics. While the growth in price was marginal compared to Q2’s jump, sentiment remained positive.
Procurement strategies turned more calculated, with buyers balancing between maintaining stock levels and hedging against future volatility. Relative to previous quarters, Q3 reflected a plateau phase—marked by stability in supply chain movement and moderate consumption without significant external disruptions or cost shocks.
Benzoic Acid imports into India saw a price surge in Q2 2024, reaching USD 1032/MT (CIF Nhava Sheva)—a 7.87% increase over Q1. This rise aligned with China’s upward price trend, driven by stronger global demand and tightening availability. Indian buyers resumed active restocking as seasonal requirements picked up, especially in food preservation and industrial formulations.
Improved trade flows and a stronger Chinese export position supported firmer landed costs in India. Compared to the preceding quarter, the pricing environment was firmer, prompting cautious yet necessary procurement by domestic buyers to secure consistent supply amid rising international benchmarks.
In Q1 2024, Benzoic Acid prices imported to India (CIF Nhava Sheva) averaged USD 957/MT, showing a 3.82% decline from Q4 2023. The price correction was in line with weakening Chinese export prices and subdued domestic demand from downstream sectors such as food additives and pharmaceuticals. Buyers held back on bulk purchases, anticipating further softening.
Compared to the previous quarter, procurement activity was more cautious, reflecting inventory adjustments and reduced operating rates in certain manufacturing units. The price drop highlighted India’s dependence on Chinese supply, with pricing trends closely mirroring fluctuations in China’s export market.
PriceWatch is your trusted resource for tracking global benzoic acid price trends. Our platform delivers real-time data and expert analysis, offering deep insights into the key factors driving price fluctuations in the benzoic acid market. By monitoring critical events such as geopolitical tensions, supply chain disruptions, and economic shifts, PriceWatch keeps you fully informed of market dynamics.
In addition, PriceWatch provides detailed forecasts and updates on production capacities, enabling you to anticipate market changes and make well-informed decisions. With PriceWatch, you gain a competitive edge in understanding all the elements that influence benzoic acid prices worldwide. Stay ahead of the curve with PriceWatch’s reliable, accurate, and timely benzoic acid market data.
Track PriceWatch's benzoic acid price assessment on a weekly basis since 2015 onwards, along with short-term forecasts, and get access to the detailed report in a downloadable format.
Rising Energy Costs: Disruptions in natural gas and crude oil supplies from Russia led to higher energy prices, increasing production costs for benzoic acid.
Feedstock Price Increases: Prices of key raw materials like toluene, derived from crude oil, surged due to geopolitical tensions, affecting benzoic acid production costs.
Supply Chain Disruptions: Trade routes and logistics in Eastern Europe were severely impacted, causing delays and limited availability of benzoic acid and its feedstocks.
Sanctions on Russia: Economic sanctions reduced the supply of key petrochemicals, creating a supply shortage in global markets.
Surge in Demand for Preservatives: Increased demand for processed and packaged foods during lockdowns drove higher consumption of benzoic acid, a key food preservative.
Supply Chain Disruptions: Global lockdowns and restrictions disrupted transportation, manufacturing, and logistics, causing supply shortages for benzoic acid and its raw materials.
Fluctuations in Feedstock Prices: Prices of toluene, a key feedstock for benzoic acid, were affected by volatility in crude oil prices, which initially plummeted and later stabilized.
Reduced Industrial Activity: Shutdowns in various industrial sectors, such as coatings and plasticizers, reduced demand for benzoic acid, creating an imbalance in certain regions.
Market Speculation and Stockpiling: Uncertainty about supply availability led to speculative buying and stockpiling, further amplifying price volatility.
Trade Wars and Tariffs: The U.S.-China trade war-imposed tariffs on petrochemicals and derivatives, increasing production costs and disrupting global supply chains for benzoic acid.
Crude Oil Price Volatility: Geopolitical conflicts, such as U.S. sanctions on Iran and tensions in the Middle East, led to fluctuations in crude oil prices, directly impacting the cost of toluene, a key feedstock for benzoic acid.
Supply Chain Challenges: Political instability and trade restrictions affected the transportation and availability of raw materials, creating supply shortages in some regions.
Shifting Global Trade Patterns: Manufacturers re-evaluated sourcing strategies due to geopolitical uncertainty, increasing logistics and operational costs for benzoic acid production.
This research methodology ensures that Price-Watch delivers the most accurate, timely, and actionable Benzoic Acid pricing assessments, helping our clients stay ahead of market trends and make informed business decisions.
Molecular Weight[g/mol]
CAS No
HS Code
Molecular Formula
Benzoic acid, a white crystalline compound with a faint aromatic odour, serves as a key feedstock for various industries. Derived from toluene oxidation, it is widely used in food preservatives, pharmaceuticals, and plasticizers. Its antifungal and antibacterial properties make it essential for food preservation and cosmetic formulations, ensuring product longevity and safety.
Packaging Type
Grades Covered
Incoterms Used
Synonym
PriceWatch Quotation Terms:
Ex-Location: This incoterm refers to a shipping agreement where the seller makes the goods available at their premises, and the buyer is responsible for all transportation costs, including shipping, insurance, and any other fees.
CIF: CIF refers to the Cost, Insurance, and Freight (CIF) terms for goods. Under CIF terms, the seller is responsible for the cost of goods, insurance, and freight charges until the goods reach the port of destination.
FD: FD stands for Free Delivered where the seller takes full responsibility for delivering goods to the location/port. This ensures the buyer receives the goods at the designated port with all necessary costs, except import duties, covered.
FOB: FOB refers to the Free On-Board shipping term, where the seller is responsible for the cost and risk of delivering the goods to the port. Once the goods are on board the vessel, the responsibility shifts to the buyer for all costs, including shipping and insurance.
| Property | Specification |
| Appearance | White crystalline solid |
| Boiling Point (760 mm Hg) | 249.2 °C |
| Flake Thickness (mm) | 1.2 |
| Odour | Faint, slightly aromatic |
| Specific Gravity (25 °C) | 1.2659 |
| Melting Range | 121-123 °C |
Applications
Benzoic Acid is used mainly as a feedstock/intermediate to make other chemicals including:
Sodium Benzoate and Potassium Benzoate: Widely used as food preservatives.
Benzyl Benzoate: Used in plasticizers, fragrances, and as a solvent.
Benzoyl Chloride: Intermediate to produce dyes, perfumes, and pharmaceuticals.
Alkyd Resins: Key component in manufacturing paints, coatings, and varnishes.
Caprolactam: Used in the production of nylon and synthetic fibers.
The pricing of benzoic acid is influenced by several factors, including raw material costs such as propylene, fluctuations in supply and demand within industries like paints, coatings, and adhesives, as well as external elements like geopolitical events, trade tariffs, and energy prices. These factors combine to create variability in pricing depending on global economic conditions.
Regional production plays a significant role in benzoic acid pricing. Regions with high production, like Asia-Pacific, tend to have more competitive pricing due to local availability, whereas regions that rely on imports, such as North America and Europe, often face higher costs due to transportation fees, import duties, and potential supply chain disruptions.
The latest pricing trends for benzoic acid often reflect fluctuations in the cost of raw materials and changes in global supply chains. To secure better rates, procurement heads can consider locking in long-term contracts with suppliers, monitoring global price trends and indices, and optimizing bulk purchasing strategies to take advantage of volume discounts.
Copyright 2025. All rights reserved. Nidhyana Price Watch Data Analytics Private Limited