Guar Splits prices are hovering at low level. Current prices for Guar Splits are moving in a range of US$ 1070 per MT to US$1140 per MT; the last time prices were at this level in US$ terms was in December 2014.
Reasons behind this recent decline in prices are given below:
- Firstly we are at that time of the year when arrivals from the new Guar crop are at their peak
- Secondly, and more importantly, the price for crude oil has fallen substantially. It is nearly US$ 55 a barrel today.
“Four things are now affecting the picture. Demand is low because of weak economic activity, increased efficiency, and a growing switch away from oil to other fuels. Second, geopolitical risk in gulf region and recent terror attacks on world largest oil refinery (Saudi Aramco) in KSA. However, they have managed to receive a price tag/valuation of USD 1.7 trillion for IPO after a lapse of couple of years since MBS took charge of Kingdom. Thirdly, America has become the world’s largest oil producer. Though it does not export crude oil, it now imports much less, creating a lot of spare supply. Finally, the Saudis and their Gulf allies have decided not to sacrifice their own market share to restore the price. They could curb production sharply, but the main benefits would go to countries they detest such as Iran and Russia. Saudi Arabia can tolerate lower oil prices quite easily. It has 268 billion barrel or equivalent to $900 billion in reserves. Its own oil costs very little (around $5-9 per barrel) to get out of the ground. The main effect of this is on the riskiest and most vulnerable bits of the oil industry. These include American frackers who have borrowed heavily on the expectation of continuing high prices.”
There is now serious concern in the Indian Guar Market that fracking activity might be severely impacted next year on account of the low crude oil prices and that in turn will adversely affect demand for Fast Hydrating Guar. And hence Guar Seed and Splits prices too have tumbled in tandem with the crude oil prices.
- Thirdly on account of a lot of buyers being away on holiday at the end of the year Guar prices traditionally decline in December
I personally believe that Guar Splits prices are now quite close to the “bottom” for this year.