02/02/2010
Turpentine shortages
The cost for all Chinese turpentine derived products has sharply risen since the start of the New Year due to acute shortages of turpentine in China which has resulted in record high prices for the oil. The main producers of Camphor and Iso Bornyl Acetate are all totally committed on orders with the next availability of material for shipment being currently offered as April.

With Chinese New Year and the associated factory closures fast approaching sellers are reluctant to make any forward offers until they return at the end of February. We don’t expect to see any relief in the market until June/July when the new turpentine harvest will start.