The vitamin market is rarely still. It moves with production swings, tariffs, shifting demand, and the push and pull of global trade. As summer ends and we prepare for Q4, the picture is mixed—some vitamins remain oversupplied and weak, while others are tightening and showing signs of recovery. Buyers are walking a fine line between staying short to capture softness and securing coverage to hedge against delays or sudden price moves.
In the fat-soluble vitamin segment, August brought the anticipated lifting of the Force Majeure by a European producer. For Vitamin E, the move has not been disruptive, as limited volumes meant little real change in supply and demand. Prices continue to slightly soften, with Chinese-origin offers coming in lower, while non-Chinese sources maintain a premium due to tighter availability. Buyers are generally cautious, avoiding too long exposure, despite the recent prices stabilization in China (which could well lead to price movements in other regions in the coming weeks) and lead times remain a key factor in procurement strategy.
The Vitamin A market has yet to gain traction. The return of a European producer has not shifted dynamics meaningfully. While some offers are slightly lower, high production costs make a significant price drop unlikely as it appears that current market prices are below all major players’ production costs Supply is steady, and the highly anticipated launch of a new Chinese producer outside China (and at scale) appears to be significantly delayed.
Vitamin D3 remains difficult to read. Prices vary widely depending on producer strategies and, in North America, the import codes applied. Canada prices remain higher due to a narrower base of approved suppliers. In Europe, supply is relatively tight, and Chinese expansion plans have been delayed until mid-2026, limiting expectations for near-term relief. For now, pricing remains highly variable and unpredictable. However, price levels at which volumes are contracted are understood to be in the $35-$42 range with Canada slightly higher.
Vitamin K3 prices are stabilizing at low levels, with key producers generating profit from other parts of the value chain. Chinese material dominates global supply, but modest growth and aggressive pricing from non-Chinese producers has triggered competitive responses. Buyers are watching closely, especially with a chromium-free form expected soon, though the economics of this new process remain unclear.
Not all vitamins are steady. Vitamin C remains locked in oversupply, with prices deeply depressed despite long shutdown announcements from producers. No clear signs of recovery have emerged. In contrast, Vitamin B1 is moving in the opposite direction. After dipping in the last 2 months after a strong 18-month upward movement, prices have now rebounded sharply, driven by increases from Chinese producers and the full impact of U.S. tariffs. With cheaper local prices no longer available, an upward pressure is expected to continue.
Other B-vitamins show a spectrum of trends. For Vitamin B2, the market continues to show a significant price gap between EU and non-EU materials. New entrants are aggressively competing for market share outside Europe (where competition is constrained by regulatory developments), leading to strong price decreases and buyers securing longer-term positions. Vitamin B3, by contrast, remains volatile. After strong decreases in the last months, prices have started materially recovering in China driven by fundamentals related to the non-targeted herbicide market outlook, leading several large buyers to cover longer positions after a long period of hand-to-mouth buying. These fundamentals are expected to drive a re-normalization of the market towards higher price levels, last seen at the end of 2024.
Vitamin B5 pricing continues to soften, though signs suggest the floor may be near. With tariffs driving up landed costs, the gap is narrowing, and further declines are unlikely. New producers are fighting to gain market share and push out smaller players. Buyers remain cautious but may need to adjust strategies if stability holds. Vitamin B6 is also steady after a period of softening driven by low demand and aggressive selling. New entrants may disrupt the balance, while global supply remains steady. Low prices are curbing expansion, with one Chinese supplier scaling back growth plans.
For Biotin (Vitamin B7), prices are stable at current levels, supported by tariffs and limited spot activity as most buyers are already covered for Q4. New capacity is expected later this year, which could weigh on an already oversupplied market and add a bearish tone to the outlook. Vitamin B9, or folic acid, surged in late 2024 and early 2025 but has since stabilized. Supply constraints from leading producers are holding the line for now, even leading to a slight price increase.
Vitamin B12 pricing is firming slightly. Tariffs on Chinese imports, rising FOB China costs, and logistics are all adding pressure. Inventories have softened the impact, but as new shipments replace old stock, prices are expected to climb further. In Europe, where competition is constrained due to regulatory developments, prices appear to remain stable at higher levels.
Conclusion
The vitamin market in Q4 2025 is a patchwork of contrasts—oversupply continues to weigh on Vitamin C and several water-soluble vitamins, while Vitamins B1 and B12 are tightening and trending upward. Vitamin D3 remains unpredictable, while Vitamin E developments remain uncertain after signs of stabilization in the last weeks - in addition, premium pricing from non-Chinese sources remains a given due to tighter supply. Tariffs are altering regional pricing and widening the gap between the U.S. and Canada, while China’s role as the largest supplier highlights the importance of lead times in planning. For buyers, the key takeaway is clear: strategy must be as dynamic as the market itself. Staying short may offer cost advantages where softness persists, but forward coverage is essential in segments facing (even potential) upward pressure. In a market where every vitamin tells a different story, agility and timing remain the most effective tools for securing both price and supply continuity in the months ahead.
