NEWSLETTER - CE Roeper

„ROEPER SIEN“ *
NEWSLETTER
JUNE 2016
* anc
Germ ient low
an fo
„Roep rm for
er‘s
In this issue:
Dear Business Friends
Market reports 2-4
Hydrocolloids
Market reports 5
Seaweed
Products
Market reports 6
Waxes
Markt reports
7
Menthol and
Carmine
Markt reports 8
Resins
Markt reports
C.E. Roeper just celebrated its 125th anniversary. On May 2 nd in
1891, Conrad Emil Roeper founded his trading business for natural
raw materials. Since then, business has time and again changed significantly as some of the key products were replaced by synthetic
products (e.g. Indigo). However, our company has succeeded in reinventing its business concept again and again over the decades,
which allowed Roeper to stay successful and grow even in difficult
times. Since the beginning and over 4 generations, Roeper has been
an owner-operated business, which is anything but ordinary, particularly in today’s world. Members of the Gerrens family have been managing Roeper over 3 generations since 1918. But we also owe a great
deal of our success to the commitment of our employees. Therefore I
would like to use this opportunity to thank not only our business
friends and partners for their support and cooperation, but also all our
employees in Germany, Poland, Moscow and China!
Best regards
Carsten Gerrens
9
Resins & Balsams
Markt report
Psyllium
10
Markt report
Liquorice
11
Exhibitions
Inside Roeper
12
1
Hydrocolloids
KONJAC
AGAR AGAR
The
market
situation
for
Konjac
has
unfortunately
become worse. There is only very
little raw material left from the last
crop, so we strongly advise
customers to cover their demand
without delay. We expect prices to
increase until material from the new
crop at the end of November to
December 2016 will be available.
Gelidium
Unfortunately we cannot report on any change in the market
situation. Raw material is still very scarce, consequently prices
remain on the high side and lead times are often longer than
usual. Customers for Gelidium Agar Agar should schedule their
demand well in advance and place orders in due time.
Gracilaria
The market situation for Gracilaria Agar Agar has not changed,
either – however in this case in a positive sense. Sufficient raw
material is available and prices are stable.
CARRAGEENAN
Characteristics of Carrageenan
Carrageenan forms the frame substance of red algae, which can be
found at the shores of the North Atlantic and the Pacific Ocean. For
production of Carrageenan the algaes are harvested, dried and
extracted with slightly alkaline water.
Carrageenan is used as a thickener and gelling agent in the food industry. It serves as stabilizer for
proteins and floating particles, is heat- and freeze-thaw stable.
Carrageenan is used for a large variety of products: Ketchup, Creme soups, Cacao milkshakes,
desserts, puddings, glazings, meat injection, sausages and fillings for bakery products.
Our application technologist, Hans-Juergen Arlinghaus ([email protected]) will be pleased to
provide further information upon request!
Contact: Katharina Albano, Phone: +49 40 73 41 03 —59, Email: [email protected]
2
Hydrocolloids
XANTHAN GUM
GUM ARABIC
Sufficient quantities of Arabic Seyal and Arabic Senegal are
available in the country of origin. After prices for Seyal had gone
up to a peak last year, they have decreased down to the level of
previous years during the last couple of weeks. Prices for Arabic
Senegal were rather stable with a slight downward tendency.
There will be a certain time-lag until spraydried material will be
affected by these price tendencies.
The
current
market
situation gives no reason
to complain as prices are
stable
and
sufficient
material is available.
The National Bank has increased the value of the local currency
towards the Euro and USD last month, which could, in the
medium term, lead to a price increase of Gum Arabic.
Prices for material from Nigeria remain significantly higher.
GUM TRAGACANTH
Most recent weather reports from the country of origin
brought good news of substantial rainfalls in the desertic
regions where Gum Tragacanth is collected. This gives
reason to hope that local authorities will now issue more collection licenses for higher
quantities.
The tapping of the bushes will begin during the next couple of weeks, but reliable information
on the result of the crop will only be available 1 – 2 months later. And of course there is always
the danger of sudden late rainfalls that could partly destroy the crop.
Quantities available on the market are still limited as there is no carry-over-stock in the country
of origin from last year. Prices are on a high level, which will only change if this year’s crop will
have a positive result. A strong Euro would also have a positive influence on prices, though.
Arrival of the 2016 crop in Europe is not due before November to December.
Contact: Björn Stamer, Phone: +49 40 73 41 03 —23, Email: [email protected]
3
Hydrocolloids
Guar Gum
The market situation for Guar Gum is very stable
at the moment and although demand is currently
quite vivid, prices are stable at a moderate level.
LOCUST BEAN GUM
The usual speculations on the forthcoming Monsoon rains, which are crucial for the turnout of
the next crop due for October / November, are
the only reasons that could lead to minor price
fluctuations during the next couple of weeks.
The next crop is only due for
September this year. From
today’s point of view, we do
not expect any significant
changes in the market for
Locust Bean Gum and its
currently very stable prices.
SODIUM ALGINATE
Given that sufficient raw
material is available at the
moment and that prices are
currently on a quite low level,
the
market
situation
for
customers is a very good one
actually. We will be pleased to
submit an up-dated offer!
TARA GUM
For many months, manufacturers of
Tara Gum have been persuing a very
aggressive price policy. This of course
provides an excellent opportunity to fill
up stocks of Tara Gum. Only a few
years ago customers would not have
dared to dream of such low prices.
Contact: Roy da Silva, Phone: +49 40 73 41 03 —32, Email: [email protected]
4
Seaweed Products
ASCOPHYLLIUM NODOSUM / SEAWEED MEAL
The market situation for Seaweed Meal remains very tense. The crop usually
begins in April, but this year there is a delay until June, as the seaweed is
growing so slowly. This is mainly due to the fact that the sea is still too cold at
the coasts of Northern America. Consequently, first deliveries of this product to
Europe will not be effected before July.
Furthermore, a price increase has already been
announced.
Higher prices are due to strong
demand and scarcity of the raw material, high
transportation costs (as the material is more and
more harvested at far reaches of the Northern
coasts) and last but not least increasing energy
costs.
SPIRULINA
Since April 1st 2016, EU-guideline
2015 / 1933 regarding maximum content
of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons has
come into effect. It applies to a variety of
products, also food supplements.
After intense cooperation with our
suppliers, we are pleased to inform our customers that we are now able to
offer Spirulina Platensis qualities that comply with the above mentioned EUguideline. Please do not hesitate to contact us for further information.
Contact: Björn Stamer, Phone: +49 40 73 41 03 —23, Email: [email protected]
5
Waxes
BEESWAX
Prices for beeswax of
Chinese origin remain on a
high level, premium qualities
are still scarce.
The market situation for African beeswax is more positive: Prices
are currently stable and sufficient material is available.
Contact: Benjamin Neumann, Phone: +49 40 73 41 03 —93, Email: [email protected]
CARNAUBA WAX
The raw material price itself is stable at the moment, so any
of the current price fluctuations are due to the exchange rate
instability. After the impeachment against president Dilma, the vice
president is already working on an action plan to fight the economic crisis
in
Brazil. This is expected to have a positive effect on the market and also the
exchange rate. Furthermore, a stronger Real is expected. This will, however, mean a
higher price for Carnauba Wax.
At the moment, we still dispose of sufficient stocks in our Hamburg warehouse.
Please do not hesitate to contact us for an updated offer.
Contact: Isabelle Perret, Phone: +49 40 73 41 03 —53, Email: [email protected]
6
Essential Oils / Colorants
Menthol
Menthol business has become more vivid recently and prices
for material from China have slightly increased while prices for
material from India are stable. We
do not expect any significant changes on the Menthol market within the
next 1 – 2 months.
Contact: Benjamin Neumann, Phone: +49 40 73 41 03 —93, Email: [email protected]
Carmine
Cochineal prices have continued to decrease to a current level of 36 – 40 USD p/
kg. Consequently, Carmine prices have also
decreased. The price for Carmine Lake 52
% is around 125 – 135 USD p/kg at the moment. However, the market situation remains tense, because prices
may start to increase quickly again due to strong demand.
Contact: Cueneyt Oezbay, Phone: +49 40 73 41 03 —26, Email:
[email protected]
7
Resins
Shellac
Recently, prices for Shellac
had slightly decreased. But
after the new crop has been
damaged by great heat in the
country of origin and a crop
shortfall is thus expected,
prices have become firm
again. We still dispose of sufficient stocks and will be pleased to
submit a competitive offer!
Olibanum
Myrrhae
The recent crop
season has unfortunately not improved availability of Gum Olibanum. Material from Egypt, particularly peasize and siftings, remains very scarce, which will involve
longer lead times. Most of the material is still
being sold to the Far East. Fortunately, material from other origins is available at stable
prices.
Prices for Gum Myrrhae remain high and smaller grades
are rarely available. Customers
should therefore expect longer
lead times and schedule their
purchases correspondingly.
Contact: Benjamin Neumann, Phone: +49 40 73 41 03 —93,
Email: [email protected]
8
Balsams / Resins
Peru Balsam
Initial reports from the country of origin suggest that the new crop has started with a
delay The currently low market prices for this product have caused a certain lack of
interest on the collectors’ part, so shortages in availability may cause a price increase
on the short term. It will be crucial to see if there are any carry-over-stocks from last
year’s crop, but this is not certain yet.
Dammar / Copal
Bad weather conditions with long rainy periods and extreme heat as well as insect attacks on the trees have caused a dramatic
crop shortfall. Capacity is only 40 % of what
it usually is. Therefore, we expect a price
increase of approx. 10 %. Until recently,
price increases could be evened out thanks
to the strong Euro, but this will not be possible very much longer. Although we have
purchased substantial quantities, there may
be longer lead times throughout the upcoming weeks and months.
Benzoe Sumatra / Siam
Sumatra
In our last Newsletter dated back from
March 2016 we had already reported
on price increases for Sumatra Benzoe.
Unfortunately, this trend has continued
and further price increases of up to approx. 40 % are generally expected. Due
to strong demand longer lead times
should be expected as well.
Siam
Siam Benzoe has been very scarce recently and the new crop has not improved the situation. We were only able
to purchase small quantities at extremely high prices. Most of this material has already been sold. We therefore
recommend that customers should
schedule any demand well in advance.
Contact: Benjamin Neumann, Phone: +49 40 73 41 03 —93,
Email: [email protected]
9
Psyllium
There are no carry-over-stocks from last season and cultivation of Psyllium for this season went down by 30 %. Furthermore, part of the crop has been damaged by heavy
rains. All these reasons have shattered hopes for stable or even decreasing prices. Additionally, Psyllium business is very vivid at the moment and worldwide demand has significantly increased while crop quantities have decreased. At this stage, 60 – 70 % of the
whole 2016 crop are already on the market, which means that it may be very difficult to
obtain material from the 3rd quarter of 2016 until the next crop. We recommend that all
customers in demand of substantial quantities should conclude contracts without delay
in order to ensure availability. Furthermore we have to point out that we can only submit
offers valid on a day-to-day basis.
Contact: Benjamin Neumann, Phone: +49 40 73 41 03 —93, Email:
[email protected]
10
Liquorice
There are many different applications for Liquorice....So today we will not give
“cold” market facts, but a recipe for Liquorice Muffins!
Basic Recipe
210 g
butter
200 g
sugar
Mix butter and sugar until creamy.
Add
4 eggs (one at a time)
Add
210 g
flour
9g
baking powder
Depending on how intense the taste should be, different types of Liquorice can be used.
Using Block Liquorice from China with 21 % Glycyrrhizinic Acid content will ensure a very
strong Liquorice taste. The blocks need to be sheared into small pieces and can then be
added to the dough at a rate of 2 %. A nice side-effect - thanks to sugar crystals - will be a
crunchy mouthfeel.
Liquorice Paste is another possibility to achieve Liquorice taste, however without the
crunchy mouthfeel. By carefully stirring in the paste the muffins will be marbled with dark
streaks. Pastes are available with different Glycyrrhizinic Acid contents, so taste intensity is
optional. For “Liquorice Beginners” the right dosage will be 2 %, which can be increased if
desired.
Last but not least we would like to point out that we have sufficient quantities on stock –
even for larger projects than just baking muffins….
Contact: Grace Lugert-José, Phone: +49 40 73 41 03 —39, Email: [email protected]
11
Exhibitions / Inside Roeper
As in recent years, we joined our colleagues from our office in Qingdao/
China as exhibitors at FIC in Shanghai. This exhibition has continuously
grown in recent years. It is obvious that the Chinese market for industrially
manufactured food has experienced a strong development.
FIC offers an excellent opportunity to further our sales activities in China as
well as an opportunity to meet our long-term Chinese suppliers. Furthermore,
an overview of current price developments on the market can be obtained –
although some market participants tend to use the exhibition to play prices
either up or down …depending on the position of interest….
In April 2016 our former trainee
Jonas Reinhardt has been awarded with the “Peter and Emmi
Mattfeld Award” for his outstanding academic achievements. Jonas had the best grade
average of this year’s graduating
class! We congratulate Jonas
Reinhardt on this great achievement and feel very proud that
one of our trainees has received
this award.
12