Vitamins Prices Remain Stable    

It was expected that the prices of vitamin E will remain stable in the first quarter of 2010. The prices in December 2009 were between RMB180 per kilogram and RMB185 per kilogram. Boost demand will come in April-May when China ends the long holiday for Chinese New Year. In December 2009 China exported 2 358 tons of vitamin E at a price of US$20.02 per kilogram (FOB China). The total exports in 2009 was 28 498 tons, a year-on-year drop of 3.85%. The total imports was 5 705 tons, down 2.73%.  
   Vitamin A price went down from RMB170 per kilogram in November to RMB160 per kilogram in December. The inventory for vitamin A consumers remained high, causing a slack demand.  The export price in December was US$23.687 per kilogram, higher than US$22.88 per kilogram in November. Comparing with vitamin E, the price of vitamin A was expected to go up in 2010.
   Affected by capacity surplus, the price of vitamin C has dropped for three months since November 2009. It was estimated that China's vitamin C capacity will reach 180 000 t/a by the end of 2010. The export price in November was US$9.27 per kilogram, the lowest among twelve months of 2009. The export in December was 7 666 tons, the year's biggest. Market analysts held cautious attitude on the vitamin C price.