Sorbitol Price Trend

About Sorbitol: Sorbitol is a polyhydric (six-carbon) sugar alcohol which occurs naturally in some fruits and plants. Sorbitol is used as a sugar substitute as it has one-third fewer calories with 60 % the sweetening activity of sucrose. As it provides half the sweetness of sucrose with fewer calories, it is widely used as a sweetener. It is produced synthetically from glucose.

Sorbitol Regional Price Trend & Analysis

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 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 trends 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.

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.

Glucitol 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.