A number of events in 2014 had a deep impact on Fetal Bovine Serum production and prices worldwide. Here is what can be expected for the rest of the year:
USA: Volumes are down by some 30% due to the drought in the previous years and the current herd rebuilding. The high prices are currently affected not only by the product shortage but also by an extraordinary high demand for FBS on the US market. Should the Chinese border open for US sourced bovine sera this may create additional price increase. China has suspended imports of bovine sera from New Zealand and Australia and is more dependent on other sources.
Australia and New Zealand: During the past 6 months Australia and New Zealand lost one of their biggest markets for bovine sera - China. Although prices of Other Bovine Sera have dropped due to the Chinese border closure, FBS prices are staying at the record high they reached earlier this year.
Brazil: Brazil was the winner after the recent Russian ban on agricultural products from USA, Australia and the European Union. Brazilian exports of beef are expected to jump by 10 to 20 percent in 2015 driven by the high food demand in Russia. Fetal Bovine Serum as a by-product of the meat industry will continue to be available in high volumes. Prices of Brazilian FBS may stay at their current low as long as its main market remains the European Union. However a positive decision of China AQSIQ about opening the border for blood products from Brazil may quickly change the picture.
Stay tuned or contact us for further updates.
