ChinaIn Q1 2025, according to the PriceWatch the feed-grade segment for Vitamin B2 (Riboflavin) 80% (FOB Shanghai) experienced continued weakness, with prices falling to USD 12,410 per metric ton, a -5.03% quarterly drop. The feed industry, especially in China, faced slow demand recovery due to a cautious approach in livestock expansion and high inventory carryover.
The Vitamin B2 (Riboflavin) 98% prices dropped even more sharply by -9.13% to USD 34,957 per metric ton as food-grade demand softened further in the absence of strong seasonal or regulatory triggers. With no significant supply disruptions or bullish demand signals market sentiment remained weak.
Buyers in the food and nutraceutical sectors held back on new orders relying on existing inventories while heightened competition among suppliers kept pressure on margins in both domestic and international markets.
In Q1 2024, the feed-grade market for Vitamin B2 (Riboflavin) 80% (FOB Shanghai) showed signs of recovery, with average prices increasing to USD 13,093/MT, reflecting a +5.73% quarterly gain. The rise was supported by moderate restocking activities among feed manufacturers after the Lunar New Year, especially in the poultry and swine segments. Meanwhile, Vitamin B2 (Riboflavin) 98% (FOB Shanghai) primarily used in food and pharmaceutical applications recorded a -3.47% decline to USD 35,717/MT. The dip reflected moderated procurement activities from food manufacturers amid sufficient inventory levels and cautious purchasing behaviour. Despite its high purity and bioavailability demand in the food segment remained steady but not aggressive as formulators balanced cost considerations with quality standards in fortified products and supplements.
In Q2 2024, price movements in the feed-grade sector were relatively flat. Vitamin B2 (Riboflavin) 80% (FOB Shanghai) posted a modest +1.20% increase to USD 13,250/MT, supported by steady procurement from domestic premix producers. However, oversupply and strong competition kept any significant upside in check. Vitamin B2 (Riboflavin) 98% (FOB Shanghai) slid slightly to USD 35,500/MT, down -0.61% as food and nutraceutical manufacturers exercised pricing caution amid readily available stocks. Despite the grade’s superior purity suited for fortification and health supplements buying momentum was modest with many formulators managing existing inventories. Export demand remained stable but unspectacular as major buyers relied on consistent Chinese output to meet formulation needs.
In Q3 2024 witnessed a divergence in performance. Vitamin B2 (Riboflavin) 80% (FOB Shanghai) rose slightly to USD 13,500/MT (+1.89%) as feed manufacturers anticipated stronger Q4 consumption and began light inventory replenishment. On the other hand, Vitamin B2 (Riboflavin) 98% (FOB Shanghai) saw a sharp spike to USD 41,006/MT, surging +15.51%, primarily driven by demand from specialty food, pharmaceutical and nutraceutical applications rather than feed use. The surge was linked to global supply disruptions and tightened availability from select producers, prompting stockpiling among premium formulation manufacturers. Food-grade buyers prioritized quality and compliance even as rising input costs across the broader supply chain added pressure to margins.
In Q4 2024, both grades were corrected. Vitamin B2 (Riboflavin) 80% (FOB Shanghai) declined by -3.21% to USD 13,066 per metric ton as feed manufacturers reduced purchases to manage year-end inventory levels and avoid surplus holding. Weak overseas demand and steady production further contributed to softening prices. Similarly, Vitamin B2 (Riboflavin) 98% (FOB Shanghai) declined to USD 38,470/MT, down -6.19% as food-grade demand moderated following earlier inventory build-ups and cautious short-term purchasing. Despite its importance in fortified foods and health-focused products buyers adopted a wait-and-watch approach amid expectations of potential price corrections in early 2025. The dip reflected subdued transactional activity rather than a fundamental shift in long-term demand.
Molecular Weight[g/mol]
CAS No
HS Code
Molecular Formula
Vitamin B2, also known as riboflavin, is a water-soluble vitamin essential for energy production and overall cellular function. It plays a crucial role in the metabolism of carbohydrates, fats, and proteins, helping the body convert food into usable energy. Riboflavin also supports healthy skin, eyes, and nervous system function, while acting as an antioxidant to combat oxidative stress. Widely used in food fortification, dietary supplements, and animal feed, Vitamin B2 is a bright yellow compound, stable to heat but sensitive to light, making proper storage important. Its vital role in maintaining health and wellness makes riboflavin an indispensable nutrient for both human and animal nutrition.
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.
Vitamin B2 80% (Feed Grade)
| SL. NO. | ITEMS | STANDARDS | RESULT |
| 1. | Assay(On a dry basis) | ≥80% | 81.7% |
| 2. | Ash Content | ≤5% | 0.65% |
| 3. | Loss on drying | ≤3% | 2.21% |
| 4. | Pb | ≤5ppm | ≤5ppm |
| 5. | As | ≤3ppm | ≤3ppm |
Vitamin B2 98% (Food Grade)
| SL. NO. | ITEMS | STANDARDS | RESULT |
| 1. | Assay(On a dry basis) | 98-102% | 99.8% |
| 2. | Ash Content | ≤0.3% | 0.07% |
| 3. | Loss on drying | ≤1.5% | 0.21% |
| 4. | Heavy Metal | ≤10ppm | ≤10ppm |
| 5. | As | ≤2ppm | ≤2ppm |
Applications
Vitamin B2, commonly available as riboflavin and riboflavin-5’-phosphate, is extensively used in the health, nutrition, pharmaceutical, and animal feed industries. Riboflavin’s vibrant yellow color and stability make it ideal for fortifying cereals, baked goods, dairy products, and beverages, ensuring enhanced nutritional value in a wide range of foods. Riboflavin-5’-phosphate, the more water-soluble and bioavailable form, is preferred in pharmaceutical applications, including liquid supplements, injectables, and clinical nutrition products, where rapid absorption and precise dosing are essential. Both forms are also widely incorporated into animal feed to support optimal growth, reproductive health, and metabolic function in livestock and poultry. The choice between riboflavin and its phosphate derivative depends on the specific application: standard riboflavin for stable, dry food and feed formulations, and riboflavin-5’-phosphate for soluble, bioactive, or injectable products.
Impact of Recent U.S. Tariffs on Vitamin B2 Prices and Supply Chains (2024–2025)
In early 2025, Vitamin B2 (riboflavin) prices in China and globally experienced notable volatility, largely due to shifting supply-demand dynamics and the introduction of new U.S. tariffs on vitamin imports. The United States, which depends significantly on imported riboflavin primarily from China has seen input costs for manufacturers rise as a result of these tariffs. This has led to higher prices for both pharmaceutical-grade and feed-grade riboflavin in the U.S. market, as companies have passed increased costs along the supply chain. Additional logistical hurdles, such as ongoing port congestion and evolving regulatory requirements, have further disrupted supply chains, resulting in procurement delays and additional price fluctuations.
Environmental Regulations and Production Cuts in China (2023)
In 2023, China enforced stricter environmental regulations affecting the production of riboflavin. Many Chinese manufacturers were compelled to reduce output or temporarily halt operations to comply with the new standards. As China is the world’s largest producer and exporter of Vitamin B2, these production cuts led to a global supply shortage and a significant spike in prices. The situation underscored the global market’s vulnerability to regulatory changes in China, with both the food/feed and pharmaceutical sectors experiencing supply tightness and cost increases.
COVID-19 Pandemic (2020–2021)
The COVID-19 pandemic caused significant disruptions in the Vitamin B2 market. Early in the pandemic, supply chain interruptions and reduced industrial activity led to a temporary drop in demand and prices. However, as the pandemic progressed and demand for nutritional supplements and fortified foods increased, prices rebounded. The heightened focus on health and immunity drove a surge in riboflavin consumption, supporting a strong price recovery in both pharmaceutical and animal nutrition markets.
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Molecular Weight[g/mol]
CAS No
HS Code
Molecular Formula
Vitamin B2, also known as riboflavin, is a water-soluble vitamin essential for energy production and overall cellular function. It plays a crucial role in the metabolism of carbohydrates, fats, and proteins, helping the body convert food into usable energy. Riboflavin also supports healthy skin, eyes, and nervous system function, while acting as an antioxidant to combat oxidative stress. Widely used in food fortification, dietary supplements, and animal feed, Vitamin B2 is a bright yellow compound, stable to heat but sensitive to light, making proper storage important. Its vital role in maintaining health and wellness makes riboflavin an indispensable nutrient for both human and animal nutrition.
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.
Vitamin B2 80% (Feed Grade)
| SL. NO. | ITEMS | STANDARDS | RESULT |
| 1. | Assay(On a dry basis) | ≥80% | 81.7% |
| 2. | Ash Content | ≤5% | 0.65% |
| 3. | Loss on drying | ≤3% | 2.21% |
| 4. | Pb | ≤5ppm | ≤5ppm |
| 5. | As | ≤3ppm | ≤3ppm |
Vitamin B2 98% (Food Grade)
| SL. NO. | ITEMS | STANDARDS | RESULT |
| 1. | Assay(On a dry basis) | 98-102% | 99.8% |
| 2. | Ash Content | ≤0.3% | 0.07% |
| 3. | Loss on drying | ≤1.5% | 0.21% |
| 4. | Heavy Metal | ≤10ppm | ≤10ppm |
| 5. | As | ≤2ppm | ≤2ppm |
Applications
Vitamin B2, commonly available as riboflavin and riboflavin-5’-phosphate, is extensively used in the health, nutrition, pharmaceutical, and animal feed industries. Riboflavin’s vibrant yellow color and stability make it ideal for fortifying cereals, baked goods, dairy products, and beverages, ensuring enhanced nutritional value in a wide range of foods. Riboflavin-5’-phosphate, the more water-soluble and bioavailable form, is preferred in pharmaceutical applications, including liquid supplements, injectables, and clinical nutrition products, where rapid absorption and precise dosing are essential. Both forms are also widely incorporated into animal feed to support optimal growth, reproductive health, and metabolic function in livestock and poultry. The choice between riboflavin and its phosphate derivative depends on the specific application: standard riboflavin for stable, dry food and feed formulations, and riboflavin-5’-phosphate for soluble, bioactive, or injectable products.
Vitamin B2 prices are influenced by fermentation substrate costs such as glucose and maize, energy expenses including coal and electricity in production hubs like China, and regulatory pressures related to pollution control and green manufacturing. Capacity utilization rates at major plants, seasonal demand from the feed industries and shifts in export policies also play significant roles. Market dynamics are further shaped by currency fluctuations, international freight rates, and regional stockpiling trends. Additionally, competition from alternative suppliers and changes in downstream consumption patterns contribute to pricing volatility across global markets.
Supply chain disruptions impact the pricing of Vitamin B2 by constraining product availability, delaying shipments and increasing transportation and warehousing costs. When disruptions occur due to port congestion, container shortages, labor strikes, or natural disasters lead times are extended and buyers may rush to secure limited stock, pushing prices upward. In key producing regions like China, interruptions in raw material supply or factory shutdowns can significantly reduce output, tightening global supply. Additionally, logistical bottlenecks can cause regional imbalances, with oversupply in one area and shortages in another, further amplifying market volatility and price fluctuations.
Vitamin B2 prices differ regionally due to variations in production capacity, local demand, regulatory environments, and transportation costs. Regional price differences for Vitamin B2 in Asia, especially China, are significantly shaped by production dominance, raw material access, and demand trends from the feed sector. China remains the global hub for Vitamin B2 manufacturing, offering lower FOB prices due to large-scale fermentation capacity, proximity to substrates like glucose and corn, and relatively lower energy and labor costs.
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