Sorbitol Price Trend and Forecast

Sorbitol Regional Price Overview

Get the latest insights on price movement and trend analysis of Sorbitol in different regions across the world (Asia, Europe, North America, Latin America, and the Middle East & Africa).

 

Sorbitol Price Trend for Q1 of 2025

Asia

The sorbitol price curve in Asia exhibited significant volatility throughout Q1 2025, primarily due to supply chain disruptions, rising raw material costs, and strong demand. China, the largest producer, experienced erratic pricing as pharmaceutical and food companies drove up demand. The Lunar New Year celebrations further constrained supply by slowing production and logistics.
 

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In India, prices followed a similar trajectory, supported by strong export demand and government incentives for the chemical industry. India’s chemical exports exceeded expectations, aided by reductions in import duties on critical raw materials such as phosphoric acid and sorbitol, as announced in this year’s budget.

Europe

In Europe, the sorbitol price graph displayed an oscillating trajectory in Q1 2025 due to strong demand, fluctuating production costs, and supply chain constraints. The price trend initially surged, driven by rising energy costs and expensive raw materials. The pharmaceutical and personal care industries were the key demand drivers, further elevating prices.

The latest sorbitol price analysis indicated that increasing import costs, coupled with rising container shipping fees from Asia, exerted additional upward pressure. The European market also faced supply shortages due to China's production slowdowns, which reduced exports to the continent. While minor adjustments were seen later in the quarter, overall market sentiment remained optimistic.

North America

North America saw price fluctuations in the sorbitol price curve during Q1 2025, influenced by local production conditions and international supply chain challenges. Prices initially rose, driven by strong demand from the food and personal care sectors. However, according to the sorbitol price database, producers faced difficulties as high-cost imports and increasing freight prices added pressure.

Delays in Asian shipments created uncertainty in availability, contributing to further price increases. The sorbitol price chart depicted a wavering trend, particularly during periods of heightened demand, as importers rushed to secure inventory amid potential supply shortages. Throughout Q1, ongoing supply chain disruptions and strong industrial demand maintained prices at an upward bias.

Analyst Insight

According to Procurement Resource, the sorbitol price curve is expected to follow a similar trajectory in the upcoming quarter, as demand from health drinks and related sectors rises during the summer months.
 

Sorbitol Price Trend for the Q4 of 2024

Asia

The Asian Sorbitol market experienced significant upward pressure during Q4'24, particularly in China, which dominated global production. A severe typhoon disrupted logistics operations, causing extended shipping delays and supply chain complications. Chinese manufacturers faced declining inventory levels while dealing with strong domestic demand.

The situation was further complicated by the yuan's appreciation against the dollar, affecting trading dynamics. Despite falling corn feedstock costs, prices remained elevated due to robust demand from the food and beverage sector, especially during the holiday season. Pre-holiday stockpiling and increased consumption of sugar-alternative products maintained the bullish market sentiment.

Europe

European Sorbitol prices followed an upward trend throughout Q4'24, influenced by limited product availability and increased import costs from Asia. The market faced pressure from disrupted supply chains and elevated shipping costs. Downstream demand remained strong, particularly from the pharmaceutical and food processing sectors. The geopolitical tensions affecting Black Sea region exports created additional supply uncertainties, leading to strategic stockpiling by major market participants.

North America

The North American Sorbitol market saw substantial price increases during Q4'24. Key factors included higher shipping costs from Asian suppliers, increased fuel charges, and labour disputes at ports. Weather-related issues in major corn-producing states impacted feedstock availability, despite overall lower corn prices. The market experienced strong demand from food and beverage manufacturers during the holiday season, while pharmaceutical and personal care sectors maintained consistent consumption patterns.

Analyst Insight

According to Procurement Resource, Sorbitol prices would likely stabilize entering 2025, though supply chain challenges and robust demand from health-conscious consumers would continue to influence market dynamics. The growth in sugar-alternative products and pharmaceutical applications was expected to maintain strong demand fundamentals.
 

Sorbitol Price Trend for the Q3 of 2024

Asia

The sorbitol prices showed significant price strengthening, particularly in China, influenced by weather disruptions and strong demand patterns. Extreme weather conditions impacted production schedules and logistics efficiency.

Raw material costs, especially corn prices, showed significant volatility. U.S. corn exports to China experienced substantial year-on-year decline, affecting market dynamics. Market participants revised quotations upward to correct previous price declines.

Europe

Sorbitol market maintained positive pricing momentum in the European domestic markets supported by global demand strength and rising production costs. Freight rate increases contributed to price appreciation. Ocean carriers successfully implemented higher freight rates due to vessel space constraints. Raw material cost escalation, particularly in corn markets, impacted production economics. Further, the market participants actively managed inventory levels in response to supply uncertainties.

North America

The sorbitol market in the US experienced substantial upward movement driven by strong domestic and export demand. Currency effects and geopolitical factors amplified the price appreciation. Low inventory levels and pre-festival purchasing activities intensified market dynamics. Maintenance shutdowns at critical production facilities disrupted supply patterns which impacted the overall dynamics for sorbitol.

Analyst Insight

According to Procurement Resource, the positive price trajectory of Sorbitol is likely to continue, supported by seasonal demand patterns and ongoing supply chain constraints. Raw material costs, particularly corn prices, will remain key price drivers.
 

Sorbitol Price Trend for the Q2 of 2024

Asia

Sorbitol is a sugar alcohol derived from glucose, commonly found in fruits and synthesized for industrial use. It is widely used as a sweetener, humectant, and texturizer. In the food and beverage industry, sorbitol is used in sugar-free and diet products such as candies, chewing gum, and baked goods due to its lower calorie content compared to sugar.

During the second quarter of the year 2024, Sorbitol prices were observed to be wavering at the lower end of the curve as the supply surplus pressurized the inventories regionally. For example, in India, since the sugar export ban in 2022, domestic storage has been running high, pushing down the feedstock costs for sorbitol production. Similarly, in China, the supply and demand dynamic influenced a sluggish pricing outlook for the entire Q2’24.

Europe

The market situation for Sorbitol was not very different in Europe as the prices were found to be following a downward trajectory here as well. The global sugar surplus amidst anticipated export increases from Brazil and Thailand was already exerting notable southward pressure on the upstream dynamic for sorbitol. Moreover, declining demands from the downstream pharma and skincare industries also played a crucial role in limiting the price growth of sorbitol.

Concurrently, in several European countries, supply chain issues were still fundamental in determining trading sentiments. And since the inventories were already overflowing, the suppliers were forced to sell the product at lower prices in order to stimulate product movement. Overall, dull market sentiments were witnessed in Q2’24.

North America

Following the global slowdown, the sorbitol prices underwent depreciation in the American markets throughout the second quarter of 2024. The availability of Brazilian sugar exports relaxed the manufacturing dynamic. Moreover, the falling demand graph further pushed the prices down. The supply and demand equation remained lacklustre in the American region for the majority of the said period. Overall, a slumping trend was observed for sorbitol during the given period.

Analyst Insight

According to Procurement Resource, Sorbitol prices are not expected to improve anytime soon going forward as the supply excess will likely keep the sorbitol markets down.
 

Sorbitol Price Trend for the Q1 of 2024

Product	Category	Region	Price	Time Period
Sorbitol	Food and Beverages	USA	930 USD/MT	March 2024
Sorbitol	Food and Beverages	Europe	1385 USD/MT	March 2024

Stay updated with the latest Sorbitol prices, historical data, and tailored regional analysis
 

Asia

In the APAC region, sorbitol prices were found to be fluctuating within confined limits during the first quarter of the year 2024. For both India and China, domestic consumption was mostly underwhelming throughout the said period. The upsurge in the upstream costs, with a steep incline in crude oil and energy prices, pushed the production and processing costs up in the markets. This worried the suppliers as the fewer working days this quarter kept the downstream demands grounded.

Some rise in the market demands was observed in the latter part of the quarter, but it was still not enough to uplift the muted market sentiments. The food and beverage industries are the primary consumers of sorbitol. And their response to the sorbitol market was quite regular and stable during the said period. Suppliers tried to balance out the market by limiting the available supply volumes. As a result, a steady and largely buoyant market performance was witnessed.

Europe

The European sorbitol market’s performance was not much different from its Asian counterpart during the first three months of 2024. Price trends were mostly tugged between the high upstream costs and dull downstream demands. In the European region, the market was still very much affected by the continuation of the Russia and Ukraine conflict. The supply chains were still hindered, and the downstream dynamics were unable to uplift the market. Overall, a varying price trajectory was witnessed.

North America

The American sorbitol price performance was not much different from its Asian and European counterparts during the said period. Uncertainties in the global market were implicating the regional American trade volumes as well. Suppliers were highly worried about depreciating offshore trade.

A drastic hike was seen in the shipping charges in the said quarter as the piracy threats forced the shipping companies to limit the number of ships at sea, and the rising fuel prices were also adding to the cost. With the decline in the number of vessels, the shipping time also increased. This created a delay in trade transactions. Overall, marginal oscillations were seen in sorbitol prices.

Analyst Insight

According to Procurement Resource, the Sorbitol price trends are likely to remain wavering in the coming months. The current supply and demand outlooks suggest buoyancy in the global sorbitol markets.
 

Sorbitol Price Trend for the October - December of 2023

Asia

Sorbitol is a sugar alcohol that is commonly used in food, pharma, and cosmetic industries as a sweetener and humectant. Though sorbitol is naturally present in various fruits, it can also be artificially synthesized by using glucose-based feedstock like grain starch, etc. So, the Sorbitol price trend vary as per the variation in its feedstock materials and the demand curve.

During the final quarter of the year 2023, the Asian sorbitol market performed fairly well as the market witnessed a consistent incline despite the adverse trade atmosphere globally. The Indian sorbitol market increased by about 3% as the monthly average prices went from about 627 USD/MT (FOB, India) in October to around 651 USD/MT in December’23.

Europe

The European sorbitol market was found to be fluctuating during the concerned period. This was because of the fluctuation in the feedstock corn and wheat starch prices during the same period. The supply chain hindrances also played their part in restricting the market’s movement for sorbitol. Overall, mixed market sentiments were registered in Q4’23.

North America

The North American sorbitol market was more influenced by the rise in corn production in the region during Q4’23. This directly impacted the production costs for sorbitol, which, amid weak demands, caused the sorbitol prices to fluctuate at the lower end of the price curve.

Analyst Insight

According to Procurement Resource, Sorbitol price trend are likely to fluctuate in the coming months. Different regional parameters and macroeconomic indicators suggest variations in the sorbitol market behaviors.
 

Sorbitol Price Trend for the July - September of 2023

Asia

In the first two months of the third quarter, the sorbitol prices faced adverse consequences of falling domestic demand. The extraction of sorbitol is done using corn starch, and thus, fluctuations in the prices of corn during the initial months also exerted a negative influence on the sorbitol price trend. But in the later stages, the cost of corn and other raw materials improved with increasing agricultural yield and high demand from the consumers that, in turn, supported the sorbitol prices trend as indicated in the growth of spot prices in India from around 555 USD/MT in July to approximately 580 USD/MT in September’23.

Europe

In European countries, the sorbitol prices oscillated throughout the quarter due to a number of factors. Consumer sentiment was depleted during this phase while the food and other industrial sectors faced the ill effects of the feeble economic conditions of the region. In addition to this, the soaring inflation and interest rates also affected the downstream demand while on the other hand, the rise in production and cost of transportation strengthened the supply chains and led to an excessive rise in the level of inventories, hampering the growth of sorbitol price graph.

North America

After an initial incline, the sorbitol price trend struggled to maintain their pace and momentum during Q3 of 2023. Production activities surged with the enhancement in the manufacturing activities and agricultural activities in North America. In view of rising exports from the majority of agricultural nations, the stockpiles of sorbitol inclined significantly in the region while its demand subdued. This disrupted the supply-demand equilibria of sorbitol and thus led to the downfall in the sorbitol price trend.

Analyst Insight

According to Procurement Resource, the price trend of Sorbitol are estimated to follow a bearish trend on account of its excessive supply and feeble demand.
 

Sorbitol Price Trend for the First Half of 2023

Asia

Sorbitol price trend witnessed a mixed run in the first half of 2023 in the Asian market. Prices fluctuated mostly in the first quarter and showed an almost stable yet declining curve in the second quarter. Demands from the end consumer sector remained bearish, which kept the prices at bay.

The fluctuating upstream cost pressure, which relied heavily on falling feedstock sugarcane and glucose prices, further aided the southward movement. In the Indian domestic market, the sorbitol prices went from around 802 USD/MT (FOB, India) in January to around 745 USD/MT (FOB, India) in June’23.

Europe

Sorbitol prices remained oscillating in H1 2023 in the European domestic market. With a rise in feedstock sugar/sugarcane prices because of the lower-than-expected agricultural output of sugarcane and hiked energy prices, the production costs for Sorbitol increased. But the demand from downstream food, beverage, and pharma sectors remained sluggish. These conflicting supply-demand patterns affected the overall price trend for Sorbitol in Europe.

North America

Like the European market, sorbitol prices in the American market witnessed an oscillating pattern in the first half of 2023. Initially, the high prices of feedstock sugar caused the upstream cost pressure to incline, thereby exerting pressure on sorbitol prices. However, as per FAO’s price index, the sugar prices fell in May after inclining for four consecutive months due to the good harvest in Brazil and lowered import demand. Moreover, the bearish demands kept pushing the price trend for Sorbitol downwards.

Analyst Insight

According to Procurement Resource, Sorbitol prices are expected to fluctuate in the upcoming months. The consumption sentiments are expected to improve, but the uncertain production costs owing to market volatilities are expected to drive these price trend.
 

Sorbitol Price Trend for the Second Half of 2022

Asia

The price trend for Sorbitol remained mixed in the Asian markets during the second half of 2022. The prices mostly wavered on the higher side of the scale. The demands were relatively consistent from the downstream pharmaceutical, food, and beverage sectors. Feedstock corn and sugarcane prices were mostly stable in the said period. Few dips/fluctuations were seen in the market in the second half, mostly attributed to agricultural feedstock prices.

Europe

The high feedstock and energy prices in the inflation-hit European kept the production costs high. The demands from the end consumer pharma and food sector remained stable and rising. Sorbitol prices remained stable with consistent supply-demand dynamics. Overall, the sorbitol market exhibited positive sentiments and remained anchored throughout the period.

North America

Sorbitol prices witnessed a declining pattern during the initial months of the third quarter. But the trend soon took a positive turn, attributing to high feedstock prices and a rise in Sorbitol’s popularity as a healthier substitute for common sugar. The fast-food sectors promoted their low-calorie variants with Sorbitol in focus. Hence, rising demands and high feedstock prices kept the American Sorbitol prices floating.

Analyst Insight

According to Procurement Resource, the Sorbitol market projections look positive. As consumers become more health-conscious and selective, sorbitol consumption is expected to rise, directly affecting its pricing fundamentals in the global market.
 

Sorbitol Price Trend For the Second Quarter of 2022

Asia

During Q2 of 2022, sorbitol prices generated mixed reactions in the Asia-Pacific market. Countries including China, Taiwan, and India showed slow downstream demand as a result of the restrictions. Covid restrictions and a stringent lockdown lowered the operational rate of the polyol, which caused prices to fall in the middle of the quarter.

The pharmaceutical industry continued to be active, which drove market sentiments in the local market. Additionally, the domestic market's feedstock, corn, and sugarcane prices remained unchanged, which reduced sorbitol's production costs in the Asia-Pacific area. Due to port congestion and piled-up cargo, the feed transfer between the supplier and producer was difficult.

North America

In the North American region, the market dynamics for this polyol were favourable throughout Q2. The regional market's expanding food and beverage sectors continued to be a major driver of prices. The public's growing concern for their health increased demand for the product in the local market. Additionally, the prices of feedstock and sugarcane continued to trend upward, having a proportional impact on the sorbitol prices in the local market. The cosmetics industries continued to play a significant role in controlling sorbitol prices trend in the local market.

Europe

Due to high feedstock corn and sugarcane prices in the local market, market sentiments in Europe were stable in Q2 of 2022. The regional market experienced a high operational rate as a result of the stagnating demand from downstream feeds, bakeries, and beverages. Moreover, the cost of natural gas was high, which increased the cost of production and the cost of feedstock. The cost of producing sorbitol in the domestic market also increased as a result of rising natural gas prices and supply disruptions.

Analyst Insight

According to Procurement Resource, the price trajectory of sorbitol prices is expected to remain jittery throughout the second half. The primary reason for the wavy price trend for sorbitol can be seen in the form of higher end-consumer demand in the North American region across the food industry. However, the prices could be seen going southward owing to lower production costs in the Asian market on the back of higher agricultural yield and lower feedstock prices.
 

Sorbitol Price Trend For the First Quarter of 2022

Asia

As of March 25th, sorbitol prices in China had increased by 1.18% settling at 1593 USD/MT, FOB Shanghai, China. People's active lifestyles and increased health consciousness became the driving factor behind any swings in its costs. These factors compelled downstream industry producers, such as pharmaceutical, food and beverage, and home care, to enhance the ethanol operational rate.

Feed, corn, and sugarcane had all been in short supply in the worldwide market for the past three months, and the situation is likely to worsen due to tensions between Russia and Ukraine. The Asia-Pacific area has the highest sorbitol costs, owing to strong demand from the cosmetics and personal care industries.
 

Sorbitol Price Trend For the Fourth Quarter of 2021

Asia

Sorbitol market fundamentals in Asia Pacific were low throughout the fourth quarter of 2021. Despite sustained demand in the wake of economic activity in Southeast Asia, the offerings were unchanged in the first half of the quarter. Whereas, since the beginning of the quarter, maize offers had eased and demand remained consistent, resulting in reduced production margins. In contrast, after China's power restriction was lifted, operational rates at manufacturing plants improved. Ex-Ahmedabad sorbitol prices were finalised at 597 USD/MT for the quarter ending in December, as a result of sustained demand and decreasing production costs.

Europe

European market was enhanced throughout the fourth quarter of 2021. The restricted supply of raw materials and manufacturing costs, combined with the high electricity rates in the European market, prompted this shift in the trend. Since the third quarter of 2021, the energy crisis had been causing output rates at various upstream facilities across Europe to be reduced due to insufficient natural gas inventories. As a result, sorbitol prices remained buoyant during the fourth quarter of 2021.

North America

Throughout the fourth quarter of 2021, the market in North America remained upbeat. The high-cost support from raw materials is largely to blame for this scenario, as upstream corn prices in the US domestic market surged to unprecedented highs, while the global food ricing index skyrocketed to historic highs in December.

After the storm season, operational rates at manufacturing facilities increased, easing the supply picture dramatically. As a result of the upstream cost support combined with food security concerns, there is insufficient demand for sorbitol. In Q4 2021, the producer's quotations in the US domestic market continued to rise.

Procurement Resource provides latest prices of Sorbitol. Each price database is tied to a user-friendly graphing tool dating back to 2014, which provides a range of functionalities: configuration of price series over user defined time period; comparison of product movements across countries; customisation of price currencies and unit; extraction of price data as excel files to be used offline.