For the Quarter Ending September 2025
APAC
• In China, the Ibuprofen Price Index fell by 0.81% quarter-over-quarter, in Q3 2025, reflecting oversupply and weak demand.
• The average Ibuprofen price for the quarter was approximately USD 10450/MT.
• Ibuprofen Spot Price moved lower as inventories rose and production surpassed demand, aligning with the Price Index.
• Ibuprofen Price Forecast for near term remains cautious due to oversupply and weak demand.
• Ibuprofen Production Cost Trend suggests continued pressure relief from cheaper raw materials.
• Ibuprofen Demand Outlook remains soft regionally with elevated inventories and cautious end-user uptake.
• Ibuprofen Price Index signals downward pressure as supply outpaces demand.
• Market balance remains bearish with destocking and gradual inventory normalization.
• Market sentiment remains cautious with restocking shaping near-term stability.
Why did the price of Ibuprofen change in September 2025 in APAC?
• Price movement in September was driven by seasonal demand shifts, maintenance outages restricting output in key facilities nationwide, pressuring local margins.
• Rising feedstock and energy costs squeezed margins, contributing to price volatility despite stable materials pricing across most suppliers.
• Logistics bottlenecks and currency fluctuations among APAC buyers influenced demand timing and price sensitivity across markets, amplifying price risk.
Europe
• In Germany, the Ibuprofen Price Index fell 0.73% quarter-over-quarter due to ample inventories and cautious procurement.
• The average Ibuprofen price for the quarter was approximately USD 11075/MT.
• Ibuprofen Spot Price indicators show softer values as traders destocked and downstream buyers paused.
• Ibuprofen Price Forecast remains cautious amid steady pharmaceutical demand but ample supply and inventories.
• Ibuprofen Production Cost Trend points to easing input costs and improved logistics supporting margins.
• Ibuprofen Demand Outlook shows tepid end-user buying and ongoing destocking by traders to reset stocks.
• Ibuprofen Price Index mirrors European pricing dynamics with intermittent volatility but gradual stabilization underway.
• Supply chain bottlenecks faded relative to mid-summer, easing landed costs and supporting price resilience.
• Destocking pace remains a dominant driver, reshaping near-term Ibuprofen Spot Price and forecasts.
Why did the price of Ibuprofen change in September 2025 in Europe?
• Port congestion and inland logistics improved modestly, gradually reducing landed costs into September 2025.
• Weak end-user demand and ongoing destocking reinforced price softness across Europe's Ibuprofen market.
• Currency movements and energy price stability contributed to moderated cost pressures amid improving supply chains.
North America
• In USA, the Ibuprofen Price Index fell by 1.02% quarter-over-quarter in Q3 2025, due to oversupply.
• The average Ibuprofen price for the quarter was approximately USD 11118.33/MT, reflecting overall cost dynamics.
• Ibuprofen Spot Price trended softer amid global oversupply and higher inventories, pressuring near-term margins.
• Ibuprofen Price Forecast shows cautious downward drift as destocking continues and downstream procurement tightens.
• Ibuprofen Production Cost Trend remained pressured by higher raw materials, energy costs, and transport charges.
• Ibuprofen Demand Outlook remained subdued in healthcare channels with stock optimization and slower end-use uptake.
• Ibuprofen Price Index reflects a complex mix of supply, demand, and cost headwinds.
• Export offers remain active but year-end procurement slows price recovery amid cautious buying.
Why did the price of Ibuprofen change in September 2025 in North America?
• Persistent oversupply kept inventories elevated, limiting immediate replenishment and weighing on spot Ibuprofen price throughout September.
• Tariff uncertainties and front-loaded imports raised logistics costs, amplifying near-term price volatility and encouraging hedged procurement in September.
• Moderate end-user demand and destocking reduced immediate buying, sustaining softer price momentum while year-end procurement unfolds gradually.
For the Quarter Ending June 2025
North America:
• The Ibuprofen Spot Price in North America exhibited a downward trajectory throughout Q2 2025 with prices decreasing steadily from 11,480 USD/MT in April to 11,085 USD/MT in June, reflecting an average month-over-month price decline of approximately 2%. The June 2025 dip continued the trend with a -0.45% fall, emphasizing subdued pricing pressure.
• Prices are likely to remain under pressure in the near term given persistent oversupply and cautious buying behavior amid tariff uncertainties and market sentiment weakening.
• Despite stable energy and raw material inputs, overall production cost advantages were marginal due to inflation-driven logistics and import tariffs pushing up landed costs.
• Upward price pressure due to increased export quotations from major producers, higher import tariffs, and inflationary cost impacts, despite smooth port operations.
• Prices corrected downward sharply due to inventory glut and overestimated demand; improved logistics helped expedite clearance.
• Significant supply glut further depressed prices as Chinese and Indian suppliers pushed volumes aggressively, compounded by cautious U.S. buyers amid tariff jitters.
• Demand remained stable initially but softened due to overstocking and muted pharmaceutical and OTC consumption, with buyers delaying orders amid uncertain pricing.
• Subdued demand across pharmaceutical and OTC segments persisted; mild seasonal illness and inventory overhang continued to weigh on buying interest.
• New U.S. import tariffs and trade tensions with China added complexity to procurement costs, prompting buyers to adopt risk-averse stocking policies.
• Efficient logistics chains with no major port congestion helped maintain steady product availability, though landed costs stayed elevated due to tariffs.
Asia Pacific:
• The Ibuprofen Spot Price in APAC followed a steady downward trend throughout Q2 2025, declining from 22,500 USD/MT in April to 22,255 USD/MT in June, with a gradual average monthly price drop near 1%. June recorded a -0.43% slide driven by sustained oversupply and weak demand.
• Prices are expected to remain subdued amid ongoing overcapacity pressures and subdued export demand caused by geopolitical tensions and weakening global demand.
• Production costs faced downward pressure due to falling raw material (Propionic Acid, Acetic Anhydride) prices. However, logistics costs rose moderately with freight hikes and currency appreciation.
• Domestic oversupply triggered by slowing manufacturing PMI (49.0) and Chinese CPI decline led to depressed prices despite logistical improvements at major ports.
• Further price drop due to continued weak consumption, yuan appreciation reducing export competitiveness, and rising freight costs disrupting exports and inventory buildup.
• Intensified price competition amid excess capacity and maintenance shutdowns at major plants; lower-tier producers ramped output, exacerbating price declines.
• Demand remains weak due to economic slowdown marked by negative CPI growth, shrinking manufacturing activity, and suppressed downstream pharmaceutical consumption.
• Feedstock prices softened; however, acetic anhydride prices weakened despite firm acetic acid costs, reflecting broader subdued market sentiment and inventory adjustments.
• Ongoing U.S.-China tariffs (up to 245%) severely restrict export opportunities, pressuring suppliers to target conservative volumes and lower price points in alternate markets.
• Enhanced port automation improved throughput but failed to alleviate surplus inventory-related price erosion.
Europe -
• Ibuprofen Spot Price in Europe showed a steady downward trend during Q2 2025, dropping from 11,430 USD/MT in April to 10,990 USD/MT in June, averaging about 2.5% price erosion monthly. June’s decline slowed to -0.54% amid cautious market behavior.
• Prices likely to remain soft till supply chain disruptions ease and inventory levels normalize; expect possible moderate stabilization post-summer.
• Production costs were impacted by energy price declines (-3.5%) but offset by elevated logistics and congestion-related expenses in key Northern European ports.
• Prices rose due to port congestion, labor strikes, and disrupted inland logistics, causing supply-side constraints and defensive inventory building.
• Market flooded by re-routed cargoes from China (initially for U.S.), causing oversupply, inventory build-up, and sharp downward price adjustments.
• Adequate inventories and persistent shipping constraints delayed spot procurement; muted import activity sustained price softening.
• Demand remained stable but subdued, with cautious purchasing and delayed restocking due to logistical uncertainty and overstock.
• Continued disruption at major ports (Hamburg, Antwerp, Rotterdam) and Rhine water level issues extended supply chain stress; strikes intensified delays.
• Weak consumer demand and stable low inflation (CPI ~2.0%) tempered procurement enthusiasm; PMI around 50.4 signaled marginal business growth.
• Downstream sectors prioritized drawing down existing stock over new purchases amid economic caution and slow-moving markets.
For the Quarter Ending March 2025
North America
In Q1 2025, the Ibuprofen market in the United States witnessed fluctuating price trends influenced by shifting demand patterns, evolving trade policies, and logistical disruptions. In January, prices surged due to robust pharmaceutical demand, tight supply conditions, and logistical bottlenecks at key ports such as Los Angeles. Rising freight rates, longer clearance times, and limited inventory flexibility further intensified cost pressures, allowing manufacturers and distributors to benefit from improved profit margins.
However, this upward momentum reversed in February as demand weakened and inventory levels rose. Pre-emptive stockpiling ahead of the Lunar New Year and anticipated tariffs on Chinese imports led to market oversupply. Reduced transpacific freight rates and stable production costs in exporting countries made imports more competitive, compelling domestic suppliers to lower prices. Additionally, economic uncertainty and cautious procurement behavior further suppressed demand. By March, Ibuprofen prices continued to decline during the early part of the month due to elevated inventories and subdued consumption.
However, the U.S. government’s imposition of tariffs on major trading partners, including China, on March 4 prompted accelerated procurement, particularly from the pharmaceutical sector. This led to short-term upward pressure on prices. Port congestion and logistical constraints at hubs like Savannah and New York/New Jersey further delayed imports, tightening availability in the spot market. Overall, the quarter closed with a mixed pricing trajectory—initial gains, mid-quarter decline, and late-quarter stabilization.
Asia Pacific
In the first quarter of 2025, the Ibuprofen market in China experienced notable price fluctuations, shaped by dynamic shifts in supply-demand conditions, seasonal factors, and international trade developments. January began with an upward pricing trend, fueled by robust export demand as global buyers—particularly from the U.S.—accelerated procurement ahead of potential tariff changes under the new administration. This demand surge, coupled with post-holiday logistical constraints, rising freight costs, and marginal increases in raw material prices, drove Chinese suppliers to adjust their pricing strategies following late-2024 destocking efforts.
However, February saw a sharp reversal, with prices declining significantly due to oversupply and muted domestic consumption. The Lunar New Year holiday further slowed industrial activity, while high global inventories and ongoing trade restrictions constrained export opportunities. These conditions led to weakened demand and forced manufacturers to cut prices to manage surplus stocks. In March, prices rebounded amid a tighter supply landscape and stronger domestic and global demand.
Pre-holiday inventories had been cleared at discounted rates, and as production resumed, higher input costs—such as labor, energy, and raw materials—pushed prices upward. Additionally, port congestion and logistics delays hindered timely shipments, while a revival in the pharmaceutical and food sectors, along with a PMI of 50.5, signaled improving industrial activity. Overall, Q1 2025 reflected a volatile yet resilient Ibuprofen pricing environment in China.
Europe
In Q1 2025, the Ibuprofen market in Germany experienced a fluctuating yet overall upward price trend, influenced by evolving demand patterns, supply dynamics, and logistics challenges. January began with a modest price increase, driven by strategic stockpiling from buyers anticipating disruptions during the Lunar New Year in Asia. The food-grade preservative and pharmaceutical sectors, in particular, were active in procurement, maintaining healthy inventories while navigating logistical challenges like blank sailings and extended delivery timelines.
However, in February, prices declined due to weakened demand, high inventories from early stockpiling, and improved supply conditions. Eased logistics, marked by a sharp drop in ocean freight rates and an appreciating euro, further lowered import costs, prompting suppliers to reduce prices to clear stock. March witnessed a sharp price rebound amid widespread supply chain disruptions across Europe, including port congestion and labor strikes in Hamburg and other key ports, which constrained imports and bolstered supplier pricing power.
Meanwhile, restocking efforts resumed as downstream industries responded to tightening supply and declining inventories. Eased inflation and stable freight rates encouraged renewed procurement activity. By the end of Q1, Ibuprofen prices had risen overall, with March’s surge offsetting February’s dip. The quarter underscored the importance of strategic planning as the market remained sensitive to both global logistics shifts and domestic economic conditions, setting the tone for cautious optimism moving into Q2.
For the Quarter Ending December 2024
North America
The U.S. Ibuprofen market in Q4 2024 demonstrated a fluctuating trend, beginning with a strong price incline but concluding with a notable decline.
In October, prices surged due to seasonal demand from food and beverage manufacturers, elevated shipping costs from Asian suppliers, and constrained supply chains exacerbated by an ILWU strike. Rising Propionic acid prices and strategic stockpiling by traders anticipating winter demand added upward pressure. Strong export demand further supported the price escalation, while global supply disruptions in Ukraine and the Middle East heightened market uncertainty.
However, by December, the market faced a sharp downturn. Weak demand from key sectors like pharmaceuticals, oversupply from elevated inventories, and intense competition from Chinese imports drove prices downward. Destocking efforts by domestic suppliers and stable production levels flooded the market with excess supply, further suppressing prices. Subdued trading activity, limited buyer enthusiasm, and high port inventories reflected a pessimistic outlook, marking a challenging end to the quarter. Overall, Q4 highlighted significant market volatility driven by varying demand and supply dynamics.
Asia Pacific
The Ibuprofen market in China exhibited a fluctuating trend, with significant price surges early in the quarter followed by stabilization and eventual declines due to supply adjustments and market dynamics.
In October 2024, Ibuprofen prices in China soared due to tight supply, logistical disruptions from a severe typhoon, and strong demand from the pharmaceutical sector. Low inventories, increased procurement for winter and festive seasons, and rising raw material costs, particularly for propionic acid, further drove the bullish market. However, November brought a modest price decline as supply chain adjustments and destocking efforts eased pressures. Despite lower export prices, steady demand persisted, offering opportunities for buyers to optimize procurement strategies.
By December, structural issues, high inventories, and geopolitical factors, including tariff threats and Chinese currency manipulation, amplified market weaknesses. Aggressive destocking and cautious buyer activity created a buyers' market, keeping prices under pressure. Propionic acid prices also fell amid stable production and moderate downstream demand, stabilizing input costs. Overall, Q4 saw sharp initial price hikes followed by a downward correction as market conditions evolved.
Europe
The Ibuprofen market in Germany experienced a bearish trajectory, marked by declining prices due to surplus supply and subdued demand. In Q4 2024, the German Ibuprofen market faced persistent price declines, driven by weak industrial activity, surplus inventories, and cautious procurement behaviors. Elevated supply levels, fueled by favorable production conditions and pre-holiday stockpiling, pressured prices further, with limited downstream demand failing to absorb the excess. The contraction in Germany's Manufacturing PMI to 42.5 in December highlighted reduced industrial output and new orders, directly impacting Ibuprofen sales.
Despite lower input costs and improved lead times, muted business confidence and economic uncertainties restrained market recovery. Suppliers responded with aggressive pricing strategies, including discounts and inventory destocking, to counter oversupply and sustain market share. However, weak demand across sectors and conservative inventory approaches perpetuated bearish sentiment.
Stabilization hinges on a rebound in industrial activity and demand recovery. Strategic imperatives include optimizing inventories, enhancing buyer relationships, and monitoring economic indicators to ensure resilience amid challenging market dynamics.
