The prices of biotin fell sharply

Export data show that the demand of biotin was significant growing in recent years. In 2008, pharmaceutical grade biotin’s export volume reached 117 tons, an increase of 84.25%; export amounting is approximately $77,370,000, representing a significant increase of 278.10% year-on-year. Quote from the market point of view, in 2008, the highest quoted market prices of pharmaceutical grade biotin reached $1,600/kg, a year can be described as a harvest year of biotin manufacturers. However, since the end of 2008, the biotin price was declining even touch bottom line.

Biotin is a water-soluble sulfur-containing B class vitamins, is a coenzyme associated with the carbohydrate, protein and lipid metabolism, also known as coenzyme R, is a trace growth factor contained in every living cell, the important coenzyme of fat metabolism and carboxylation reaction, is an indispensable nutrient to maintain normal growth and development, maintain the skin health and the bone marrow health, and are widely used in feed, food, cosmetic raw material and pharmaceutical industry.

China is the global biotin production base, the annual production of Chinese pharmaceutical grade biotin is about 190 tons, accounting for more than 80% of the global output. The biotin varieties produced in China are mainly have three types: pharmaceutical grade biotin which the content is more than 98%, 2% content feed grade biotin and 1% food grade biotin which use calcium hydrogen phosphate as carrier.

In 2008, from January to May, the export prices of pharmaceutical grade biotin is basically show a downward trend: In January, the average export price of pharmaceutical grade biotin is $728.59/kg, in February rose to $735.04/kg, from then on, the price is from $735.04/kg down to $594.66/kg, a decline of 19.09%. In May, pharmaceutical grade biotin export volume is 16,775 kg, the highest monthly export volume month in 2008. In next few months, the price was fallen dramatically.

Although the export price of biotin was falling, but it did not stimulate the market demand. The export volume of pharmaceutical grade biotin is only 4935kg in May of 2009, less than 1/3 of 16,775kg export volume in May 2008. Quote from the market point of view, during the high price in May and June of 2008, the quoted market prices of pharmaceutical grade biotin is $1600 to 1800 every per kilo gram, from July to October in 2008, the quote is still maintained in $1400-1600/kg level. In February 2009, the market price is only $850/kg, in May it rapidly decline to $500/kg.

Why just a year the biotin market prices have such a huge change? The reason is the weak international demand and Chinese biotin suppliers’ fever investment. Weak demand, at the end of 2008, many international buyers have taken to reduce inventory, improve cash flow means to cope with the global economic crisis, making the demand of biotin in the international market is decreasing. In 2009, from January to May, totaled pharmaceutical grade biotin exports are 39,386 kg, 27% ​​lower than the export volume of the corresponding period in 2008. Facing the weak international demand, biotin suppliers have also taken a low-cost strategy to stimulate the market. Investment boom, with the new features of biotin continue to be found and brought huge profits, triggered a new round of biotin investment boom.

In the case of weak market demand, added new investment will make the biotin export worse. The current biotin market offer is only $400/kg, close to the bottom line price. It is understood that some of the biotin manufacturers stop producing, some manufacturers closed for purchase. I believe in the stimulation of the low market price, the purchasers’ desire to buy biotin will germinate again, the demands will also began to rise. The future decline biotin export price will thus be mitigated.

Source:http://www.cosprm.com