European Vitamin Market Remains Weak: Niacinamide Holds Firm as Buyers Adopt a Cautious Approach

1. Global Vitamin Market Overview

The Chinese vitamin market remained broadly stable but weak this week. Downstream buyers continued to take a wait-and-see approach, purchasing mainly to meet immediate production needs.

Vitamin A and vitamin E faced limited buying interest, while folic acid prices declined following lower supplier offers. Niacinamide remained firm due to tight raw material availability and limited spot supply. Choline chloride prices edged lower as production costs eased. Most other vitamin products saw relatively stable prices and subdued trading activity.

According to China Customs data, vitamin exports reached approximately 5.83% year-on-year growth in September 2026 and increased 4.98% month-on-month. Total exports for January–September 2026 rose 10.01% year-on-year.

In Europe, the vitamin market remained generally weak, with prices for many products approaching historical lows. With EUROTIER, one of the industry's major trade fairs, scheduled to take place in Hanover, Germany, in about a month, suppliers and buyers are expected to focus on 2027 market expectations, sourcing strategies and forward purchasing plans.

Geopolitical uncertainty, weather-related disruptions, trade protection measures and increasingly stringent European regulations are adding complexity to procurement decisions. Maintaining competitive prices while ensuring reliable supply is likely to be a key topic in negotiations.

2. European Vitamin Price Overview

Indicative European market prices this week are as follows:

Product	European Market Price
Vitamin A (VA1000)	€13.50–14.00/kg
Vitamin E	€5.80–6.00/kg
Vitamin D3	€12.00–13.00/kg
D-Calcium Pantothenate	€4.60–4.80/kg
Vitamin B1	€26.00–27.50/kg
Vitamin B2	€15.30–16.00/kg
Vitamin B6	€11.50–12.50/kg
Vitamin B12	€44.00–50.00/kg
Vitamin K3 (MNB)	€10.25–10.50/kg
Vitamin C (Pure)	€2.80–3.10/kg
Folic Acid	€28.00–30.00/kg
Biotin 2%	€2.50–3.20/kg
Biotin (Pure)	€125.00–130.00/kg
Niacinamide	€5.00–5.30/kg
Inositol	€4.50–5.00/kg
Choline Chloride 70% (European brand)	€1.95–2.15/kg

Prices are indicative market quotations and may vary depending on origin, brand, specification, order volume and delivery terms.

3. Key Developments by Vitamin Category

Vitamin A

European vitamin A prices are currently around €13.50–14.00/kg, with VA1000 quotations converging toward the market's new historical low. Supply remains ample as major European producers expand capacity to improve efficiency and reduce costs, while Chinese-origin products continue to enter the market.

In China, the VA500 market was quoted at RMB 53–58/kg. Some major producers suspended quotations, while downstream purchasing interest remained limited. September 2026 vitamin A exports from China were approximately 498.37 tonnes, down 0.27% year-on-year but up 7.27% month-on-month.

Vitamin E

European vitamin E prices stood at €5.80–6.00/kg, and the downward trend began to slow. Although new Chinese suppliers have entered the European market, higher raw material costs, freight charges and exchange-rate factors have limited their price competitiveness.

Established suppliers with local European warehouses appear to have greater flexibility in managing costs and delivery. Competition for first-quarter 2027 market share is beginning to take shape.

In China, domestic vitamin E quotations remained firm at RMB 44–47/kg, although export prices weakened. September exports reached approximately 9,307.18 tonnes, down 14.85% year-on-year but up 3.14% month-on-month.

Vitamin D3

European vitamin D3 prices were around €12.00–13.00/kg. The market remained quiet, with quotations showing a slight downward bias. Given the product's history of significant price fluctuations, end users generally prefer just-in-time purchasing and lower inventory exposure.

In China, vitamin D3 prices were reported at RMB 96–110/kg. Producers continued to defend their prices, with some suspending new quotations and orders. Market transactions were limited.

D-Calcium Pantothenate (Vitamin B5)

European prices fell to approximately €4.60–4.80/kg, setting a new low amid persistent overcapacity. Many end users are expected to discuss long-term supply arrangements for 2027 with producers during EUROTIER.

In China, prices remained relatively stable at RMB 36–42/kg, supported by sufficient availability through trading channels, although actual trading activity was limited. September exports of calcium pantothenate and panthenol reached approximately 2,100.41 tonnes, up 56.49% year-on-year and 24.37% month-on-month.

Vitamin B1

European vitamin B1 prices were relatively stable at €26.00–27.50/kg, with supply and demand broadly balanced.

The Chinese market showed a slight downward trend, with domestic quotations at RMB 205–220/kg. September exports reached approximately 765.29 tonnes, up 7.58% year-on-year.

Vitamin B2

European vitamin B2 prices remained stable at €15.30–16.00/kg. Despite the presence of Chinese brands with EU regulatory approvals, gaining a meaningful market position in Europe remains challenging.

Some European suppliers are beginning to explore 2027 sales opportunities and test higher price levels amid uncertainty surrounding competitors' commercial strategies.

In China, supply remained generally stable, although some producers were still undergoing maintenance shutdowns. Domestic prices were RMB 70–76/kg for 80% grade and RMB 270–300/kg for 98% grade. September exports reached approximately 403.64 tonnes, up 12.69% year-on-year.

Vitamin B6

European vitamin B6 prices were around €11.50–12.50/kg, following a prolonged decline to a new historical low. With additional producers entering the market and competition intensifying, prices have started to stabilize at these low levels. Some end users are also beginning to release demand for future requirements.

In China, prices stood at RMB 96–100/kg. September exports reached approximately 593.65 tonnes, down 4.59% year-on-year.

Vitamin B12

European vitamin B12 prices were quoted at €44.00–50.00/kg. A sudden price increase by one producer last week disrupted the product's previously stable pricing pattern.

In China, trading remained subdued and the industry continued to face operating losses. September exports reached approximately 41.48 tonnes, up 31.01% year-on-year and 41.18% month-on-month.

Vitamin K3

European vitamin K3 (MNB) prices remained firm at €10.25–10.50/kg. Rising costs of key raw materials, particularly 2-methylnaphthalene, together with persistently high chromium-related material costs, have continued to support production costs.

In addition, non-Chinese suppliers have yet to resume deliveries and may not return to the market until early 2027. This has further restricted global supply options.

In China, vitamin K3 prices remained stable, with most producers fulfilling existing orders. Domestic quotations were RMB 58–62/kg for MSB and RMB 68–74/kg for MNB.

Vitamin C

European prices for pure vitamin C stood at €2.80–3.10/kg. Following another suspension of quotations by major producers, prices for pure vitamin C gradually moved higher. The price gap between pure vitamin C and vitamin C intermediates has widened further.

In China, export orders remained the main focus for producers, and some suppliers raised their quotations. Domestic prices were RMB 21–24/kg, although spot transactions remained limited. September exports reached approximately 16,949.52 tonnes, up 10.51% year-on-year.

Folic Acid

European folic acid prices were around €28.00–30.00/kg. Trading remained quiet, and prices weakened before showing signs of stabilization due to limited demand.

Market volatility and past supply practices, including delayed deliveries and the handling of orders placed at different price levels, have made end users more cautious. Buyers are increasingly conservative in their purchasing strategies.

In China, prices declined to RMB 220–255/kg following lower producer quotations. Traders showed little interest in building inventory and generally adopted a cautious approach.

Biotin

European prices were approximately €2.50–3.20/kg for 2% biotin and €125–130/kg for pure biotin.

As the fourth quarter progresses, some end users have started making preliminary inquiries to assess remaining 2026 requirements and plan their 2027 purchases. With additional production capacity entering the market, competition for 2027 orders and market share is becoming more apparent.

In China, the 2% biotin market remained subdued, with prices at RMB 27–32/kg.

Niacinamide

Niacinamide was one of the more resilient products in the European vitamin market this week. Prices were around €5.00–5.30/kg, showing signs of recovery after several weeks of gradual declines.

Some Chinese producers announced price increases in mid-to-late October. However, the European market reacted more moderately than China, partly due to stronger competition from major Indian suppliers.

European buyers that had previously delayed purchasing are gradually releasing demand for fourth-quarter shipments and deliveries before the Chinese New Year holiday. Most first-quarter 2027 requirements have also been progressively covered.

In China, niacinamide prices remained firm at RMB 42–45/kg, supported by tight raw material supply, suspended quotations from some major producers and limited spot availability.

Inositol

European inositol prices eased slightly to €4.50–5.00/kg as imported shipments gradually arrived and earlier supply shortages began to improve.

In China, trading activity remained limited and prices were relatively stable at RMB 30–36/kg.

Choline Chloride

European choline chloride 70% prices were around €1.95–2.15/kg, making it one of the few vitamin-related products to record an increase this month.

The rise was mainly driven by higher raw material costs, particularly ethylene oxide and trimethylamine. Both materials are closely linked to crude oil and energy market movements, putting upward pressure on production costs.

In China, choline chloride prices edged lower to RMB 5.0–5.2/kg as raw material costs declined. Downstream buyers continued to purchase mainly for immediate requirements.

4. Market Outlook: 2027 Procurement and Supply Security

The European vitamin market remains under pressure from excess capacity, intense competition and cautious downstream demand. While most products are trading near historical lows, market conditions vary considerably by product.

Niacinamide and choline chloride have shown greater price resilience, supported by raw material constraints or rising production costs. By contrast, vitamin A, vitamin E, vitamin B5 and several other products continue to face pressure from ample supply and limited purchasing interest.

EUROTIER is expected to provide an important opportunity for suppliers and buyers to review market conditions and discuss 2027 purchasing strategies. Beyond price negotiations, buyers are likely to place greater emphasis on supply continuity, delivery reliability, regulatory compliance and supplier cost competitiveness.

For international buyers, a balanced sourcing strategy will be essential: securing competitive prices while maintaining reliable access to qualified products and dependable suppliers.

Suprepharmagroup continues to follow developments in the global vitamin and pharmaceutical raw material markets, providing market information to support informed sourcing decisions.