Blog

Vitamin B5 and Threonine See Fundamental Supply Shifts (12.04.2021)

In March, the USDA estimation of planting caught the industry by surprise, which had expected higher availability of corn and soy than reported. Last week, the monthly World Agricultural Supply and Demand Estimates (WASDE) report was released, and as expected, showed sufficient supply owing to larger crop from Brazil.

Biotin Prices Stable for Now (22.03.2021)

The global price of Biotin has remained stable over the last 5 months, coming down from a peak in March 2020. A recent intellectual property settlement between DSM and Anhui Tiger Vitamin could put an end to this market stability.

Tryptophan Prices Skyrocketing (22.03.2021)

Tryptophan prices have increased 66% globally in the last two months. Other amino acids have increased in a similar fashion. In addition to global issues in freight and rising commodity prices, a recent announcement from the Inner Mongolia Region of China may place further upward pressure on amino acid prices.

Lysine - March 15th 2021 (15.03.2021)

Commodity prices have decreased in China's Dalian Commodity Exchange following concerns of an African Swine Fever (ASF) resurgence. Last week corn prices in Northeast China fell for three consecutive days, by about 90 Yuan/ton (14 USD/ton).

Stuck in a Phantom Traffic Jam (15.03.2021)

You’re cruising down the highway when all of a sudden endless rows of brake lights appear ahead. There’s no sign of an accident, no stoplight, no change in speed limit or narrowing of the road. So why is there so much traffic?

Vitamin E50 & Threonine - March 9th 2021 (10.03.2021)

Threonine As corn continues to increase, amino acid manufacturers are raising the price of Threonine. As market prices continue to hit new highs, buyers are preferring shorter term spot deals that leave room for price relief in the near future.

Baby Boom or Bust (08.03.2021)

Last week we looked at the history of commodity supercycles, zooming in on the period immediately after the Industrial Revolution when the price of corn rose at a staggering rate. We looked at the factors underpinning a supercycle using the power of historical hindsight.

Methionine & Calpan - March 1st 2021 (01.03.2021)

Methionine Last week was extremely volatile for the United States methionine market. On Thursday (February 25th), the U.S. Department of Commerce set early anti-dumping duties up to 135% against foreign amino acid imports in a preliminary finding that Japan, France and Spain methionine producers were selling the product at below market prices.

Supercycle Lessons from History (01.03.2021)

Source: Stifel Report June 2020. Note: Shown as 10yr rolling compound growth rate with polynomial trend at tops and bottoms. Blue dotted line illustrates a forecast estimation. Source: Warren & Pearson Commodity Index (1795-1912), WPI Commodities (1913-1925), equal-weighted (1/3rd ea.

Vitamin C - 99% & Phosphate 35%- February 22nd 2021 (22.02.2021)

Around the world, vitamin C is in short supply. Distributors fortunate enough to have stock are raising prices and allocating goods to the most urgent demand. Prices of vitamin C have increased by 200% in less than a month, with spot offers entered into Glowlit reaching double digits in USD.

Shifting sands in the supply chain world (22.02.2021)

Countries are flexing their control over soft commodities markets amidst continued rising prices around the world. We are seeing yet another wave of protectionist policies intended to control domestic grain prices.

Choline Chloride & Vitamin A- February 15th 2021 (15.02.2021)

When we look at the cost structure of Choline Chloride there are three moving targets for us to keep track of: production of raw materials, shipping costs and customer demand. The main feedstocks for Choline Chloride are ethylene oxide (EO) and trimethylamine.

What Goes Up... (15.02.2021)

We often speak to industry professionals in search of a crystal ball to predict the future of the market. When prices are rising, as they are now, we naturally want to know how much longer they will continue that way.

The Invention that Saved a Million Ships (08.02.2021)

The earliest lighthouses were controlled fires on hilltops which signaled a warning to ships as they approached land. Eventually mirrors were used to amplify the light from burning lamps, allowing the signal to reach navigators further out to sea.

Threonine, Vitamin C 99% & Vitamin B12 - February 8th 2021 (08.02.2021)

With the Chinese New Year, or Spring Festival, less than a week away, factory sales departments are using their final few days at work to wrap up their most pressing tasks. Among them, arranging logistics for deliveries and beginning to plan the sales strategy for the market after the holiday.

Vitamin E50 & Methionine - February 1st 2021 (01.02.2021)

The price of corn has reached its highest levels in 7 years after China purchased 5.85 MMT of American corn in just 4 days. This is believed to be the biggest purchase since 1972, when the Soviet Union bought 9MMT of grain from the United States during the "Great Grain Robbery'' causing global grain prices to soar.

GameStop and Investing Against the Grain (01.02.2021)

Like many people around the world, the Glowlit team has been watching the stock market in awe and disbelief. GameStop (GME), a chain of brick and mortar stores selling video games, saw its stock price rise as much as 1,700% this week, driven largely by an army of individual investors trading on the fee-free app Robinhood.

Vitamin E50 & Methionine - January 25th 2021 (25.01.2021)

The Global Opportunities Map, available through Glowlit Pro, shows major price differences for Vitamin E50 around the world resulting from trade imbalance between the US and China. With the Chinese New Year approaching in February, the industry is preparing for a halt in supply.

The World is Flattening (24.01.2021)

In his now famed book The World Is Flat, Thomas Friedman argues that the competitive landscape between advanced and emerging markets has leveled out. Connectivity and collaboration enabling technologies have allowed companies both big and small, regardless of location, to participate in complex global supply chains.

Vitamin B3 & Porcine Blood Meal, - January 19th 2021 (19.01.2021)

Vitamin B3 Pritzker Private Capital (PPC) recently acquired Vertellus, the only producer of Niacin (Vitamin B3) in the United States. Vertellus Europe's production capacity has been transferred to China.

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