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ChinaAt the beginning of Q1 2025, the Vitamin A Acetate 1Miu/g (Feed Grade) market in China saw a steep correction, with prices falling to USD 32,140/MT FOB China, down -28.70% from Q4. This was mainly driven by weaker domestic demand from the livestock and poultry feed industries, which scaled back purchases following heavy buying in late 2024. With feed manufacturers sitting on ample inventories, spot demand was sluggish.
Additionally, production at major Chinese plants remained stable, creating a supply overhang and downward price pressure. The Vitamin A Palmitate 1.7Miu/g (Food Grade) market also faced a substantial decline, with prices dropping to USD 70,150/MT FOB China, a -23.90% change. The food and beverage industry in China slowed down after the Lunar New Year period, and most formulators operated with existing stockpiles. The absence of any immediate regulatory or supply constraints further contributed to the price decline.
In Q4 2024, the Vitamin A Acetate (Feed Grade) market in China retreated from the sharp Q3 highs, with prices declining to USD 45,080/MT FOB China, a -38.09% drop. Domestic feed producers reduced purchases due to inventory saturation and uncertainty over demand in early 2025. Meanwhile, production at major domestic vitamin manufacturers normalized, adding to the available volumes. The year-end period also typically sees reduced procurement as businesses balance year-end accounts.
In contrast, the Vitamin A Palmitate (Food Grade) market remained steady, with prices increasing to USD 92,180/MT FOB China, up +6.14%. Demand from the local food processing sector picked up ahead of seasonal promotions and product launches. The fortified dairy and functional food segments were especially active, supporting price firmness. Short-term supply disruptions due to maintenance at a few regional plants also contributed to stronger domestic pricing.
In Q3 2024, Prices of Vitamin A Acetate spiked to USD 72,810/MT FOB China, soaring +246.71% from Q2. The surge was triggered domestically by stringent environmental inspections that forced shutdowns at several large producers in Zhejiang and Jiangsu provinces. For example, Zhejiang NHU and Kingdomway temporarily halted operations to comply with tightened emission standards.
This significantly reduced local availability, sparking panic buying from distributors and large feed mills in key provinces like Shandong and Sichuan. Buyers rushed to secure volumes in anticipation of further shortages in Q4, creating a price rally across the feed industry. Compounding the domestic tightness, a major global disruption added fuel to the fire.
For Instance – “On July 29, 2024, a fire broke out at BASF’s isophytol plant in Ludwigshafen, Germany, a key upstream site for vitamin A production. Following the incident, BASF declared force majeure on deliveries of selected vitamin A and carotenoid products. The shutdown of this critical facility sent shockwaves through global supply chains, further straining already tight inventories in Asia, especially in China, which relies partly on European intermediates for blending and export contracts.”
In Q2 2024, The Vitamin A Palmitate (Food Grade) market was similarly impacted, with prices climbing to USD 86,847/MT FOB China, up +53.98%. Palmitate production, which depends on a steady supply of isophytol and alcohol-based esters, was hit hard by both the BASF outage and domestic feedstock delays. Chinese food and beverage manufacturers, already preparing for seasonal Q4 launches of fortified products, front-loaded purchases to avoid potential shortages.
As a result, producers prioritized domestic contracts over exports, further limiting availability and reinforcing upward price momentum. In Q2 2024, the Vitamin A Acetate (Feed Grade) market in China continued its upward momentum, with prices rising to USD 21,000/MT FOB China, a +10.01% increase. Seasonal feed demand increased, especially from swine and poultry integrators in southern and central China.
Additionally, planned maintenance at two key vitamin facilities in Shandong and Jiangsu reduced domestic output, tightening availability and supporting higher prices. On the other hand, Vitamin A Palmitate (Food Grade) prices in China slipped slightly to USD 56,400/MT FOB China, a -2.48% change. Demand from the processed food and beverage industries remained flat, with several large players holding sufficient inventories. Although supply remained consistent, buyer interest was limited, and new contract volumes were negotiated cautiously amid stable market conditions.
In Q1 2024, the Vitamin A Acetate (Feed Grade) market in China began to rebound. Prices rose to USD 19,090/MT FOB China, a +6.95% increase. The recovery was largely attributed to restocking by feed manufacturers following the Chinese New Year. Improved demand from integrated feed mills and distributors, particularly in provinces like Sichuan and Henan, supported modest gains.
Meanwhile, some plants experienced delays restarting post-holiday, limiting short-term supply. The Vitamin A Palmitate (Food Grade) market also improved slightly, with prices reaching USD 57,833/MT FOB China, reflecting a +4.52% increase. Local food manufacturers resumed formulations for fortified dairy, baby food, and instant nutrition products. Demand was stable, especially in tier-1 cities, and although supply was balanced, slight delays in delivery schedules led to stronger domestic offers during the quarter.
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Vitamin A Acetate 1MIU/g (Feed Grade) and Vitamin A Palmitate 1.7MIU/g (Food Grade) are vital forms of Vitamin A, a fat-soluble nutrient essential for numerous physiological functions. Both variants support key processes such as maintaining healthy vision, especially in low-light conditions, by aiding in the formation of the visual pigment rhodopsin, and they help prevent night blindness. These forms of Vitamin A play a crucial role in promoting proper cell differentiation, supporting immune function by enhancing white blood cell performance, and maintaining the integrity of skin, mucous membranes, and other epithelial tissues. Vitamin A Palmitate, commonly used in food applications, ensures optimal nutrient fortification for human consumption, while Vitamin A Acetate is specifically formulated for animal feed to support growth, immunity, and reproductive health in livestock. Both are especially critical during periods of rapid development, such as pregnancy and infancy (in humans) or early growth stages in animals, contributing significantly to overall health and well-being.
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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.
Vitamin A Acetate 1MIU/g
| S. NO. | ITEMS | SPECIFICATIONS |
| 1 | Vitamin A Acetate Assay | ≥1,000,000IU/g 1,034,000IU/g |
| 2 | Acid Value | ≤2.0mg/g |
| 3 | Peroxide Value | ≤7.5mmol/kg |
| 4 | Heavy Metals as Pb | ≤10.0ppm |
| 5 | Lead (as Pb) | ≤2.0ppm |
| 6 | Arsenic (as As) | ≤2.0ppm |
| 7 | Total aerobic microbial count | ≤1000CFU/g |
| 8 | Total moulds and yeasts count | ≤100CFU/g |
Vitamin A Palmitate 1.7MIU/g
| S. NO. | ITEMS | SPECIFICATIONS |
| 1 | Assay | >1700000IU/g |
| 2 | Peroxide Value | <10.0meq/kg |
| 3 | Acid Value | ≤2.0mg/g |
| 4 | Heavy metal | ≤5ppm |
| 5 | Cd | ≤1ppm |
| 6 | As | ≤1ppm |
| 7 | Yeast & Mold | ≤100cfu/g |
| 8 | Total plate count | ≤1000cfu/g |
Applications
Vitamin A Acetate 1MIU/g (Feed Grade) and Vitamin A Palmitate 1.7MIU/g (Food Grade) are widely applied across nutrition, health, and personal care sectors due to their critical role as essential micronutrients. Vitamin A Acetate is predominantly used in animal nutrition to enhance growth, immunity, and reproductive performance in livestock and poultry, making it a key additive in feed formulations. On the other hand, Vitamin A Palmitate is extensively incorporated into human food products, dietary supplements, and fortified beverages to support vision, immune defence, and skin health. It is also commonly used in clinical nutrition for deficiency management and in functional food development. Additionally, Vitamin A derivatives, especially from Palmitate, find applications in cosmetics and dermatological products targeting anti-aging, acne treatment, and skin regeneration, reflecting their multifunctional value in both nutritional and topical applications.
Vitamin A prices are affected by several key factors, including the cost of feedstocks like propylene, which is derived from crude oil and natural gas. Other significant influences include fluctuations in crude oil prices, refinery production levels, transportation costs, and environmental regulations. Additionally, supply-demand imbalances, particularly in major production regions like Asia and North America, and disruptions due to geopolitical issues or natural disasters, can impact vitamin A pricing trends.
Supply chain disruptions, such as plant shutdowns, port delays, or shortages of raw materials like propylene, can lead to sharp increases in Vitamin A prices. For example, when propylene supplies tighten due to refinery outages or production cuts, vitamin A production costs rise, leading to higher market prices. Conversely, improved supply chain efficiency or reduced transportation costs can help stabilize or lower vitamin A prices. Procurement teams should stay informed on supply chain developments to optimize their purchasing strategies.
Vitamin A prices vary significantly across different regions due to factors like production capacity, local demand, and logistics. For instance, Asia, a leading producer of vitamin A, often has more competitive prices compared to Europe or the US, where higher production costs and stricter environmental regulations may drive up prices. Procurement heads should consider these regional variations by exploring opportunities to source vitamin A from cost-competitive regions or leveraging long-term contracts in regions with favorable pricing to reduce exposure to price volatility.
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