Global Market Watch: 2025 Industry Hotspots Review and 2026 Outlook

Summary

As 2025 comes to a close, global markets across chemicals, materials, agriculture, food ingredients and energy-related supply chains reflect a year defined by policy pressure, cautious demand recovery and selective export opportunities. This year-end review summarizes the key market hotspots of 2025 and provides an initial outlook for 2026.

I. 2025 Market Hotspots – Policy, Supply Chain and Selective Demand

Chemicals & Materials : In 2025, chemical and materials markets remained under pressure from uneven downstream demand. Construction- and coatings-related segments saw limited recovery, while electronics, new energy and functional materials performed relatively better. Export activity increasingly depended on compliance capability, cost control and customer qualification rather than pure pricing.

Agriculture & Food Ingredients : Agricultural input demand followed clear seasonal cycles, with buyers avoiding aggressive stockpiling. In contrast, food ingredients—including starches, sweeteners and processed raw materials—benefited from stable manufacturing demand and export-driven orders, particularly toward Asia, the Middle East and Africa.

Energy & Logistics : Energy prices trended lower on average through 2025, easing feedstock pressure for petrochemical and materials producers. However, logistics costs remained volatile, with freight rates sensitive to route-specific disruptions and geopolitical risks.

II. Trade and Policy Environment – Structural Cost Pressures Persist

Trade and regulatory factors were a defining feature of 2025:

• Carbon-related policies, particularly the EU’s Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM), increased compliance requirements for exporters.
• Trade remedies, including anti-dumping measures in selected material categories, reshaped export flows and market access strategies.
• Downstream buyers increasingly requested carbon data, traceability and sustainability documentation, even in markets not directly covered by regulation.

These factors collectively raised the non-price cost of trade, making compliance and documentation part of competitive positioning.

III. Demand and Supply Chain Signals – Inventory Discipline Dominates

Across industries, buyers in 2025 favored shorter procurement cycles and tighter inventory control:

• Chemical and material buyers prioritized flexibility over long-term commitments.
• Food ingredient procurement aligned closely with processing schedules rather than speculative demand.
• Freight and energy costs were treated as risk variables, encouraging diversified sourcing and logistics planning.

This behavior limited sharp price rebounds but supported overall market stability toward year-end.

IV. 2026 Market Outlook – What to Watch

Looking into 2026, several baseline assumptions emerge:

• Demand recovery is expected to remain segmented, led by specific applications rather than broad cycles.
• Carbon complance and policy costs will become more operational, influencing supplier selection and export viability.
• Energy prices may stay relatively soft, offering cost relief, while logistics volatility remains a risk factor.
• Export-oriented producers with strong compliance systems and diversified markets are likely to outperform.

Strategic takeaway:

In 2026, competitiveness will be shaped less by volume expansion and more by cost transparency, compliance readiness and alignment with downstream demand cycles.

For detailed datasets, export tracking and policy impact analysis, please refer to the CCM Industry Market Monthly Reports and CCM Trade & Materials Databases.

About CCM

CCM is the leading market intelligence provider for China’s agriculture, chemicals, food & feed and life science industries. Founded in 2001, CCM provides price monitoring, trade analysis and customized market research.CCM also offers advertising and promotional services for chemical, materials and agricultural suppliers, helping companies increase visibility and connect with targeted global buyers.

Website: www.cnchemicals.com / Email: econtact@cnchemicals.com | Tel: +86-20-37616606

Data Sources

• IMF – World Economic Outlook 2025
• European Commission – CBAM Policy Updates and Trade Measures
• OECD–FAO – Agriculture and Input Market Outlook
• U.S. EIA – Short-Term Energy Outlook
• Drewry – World Container Index
• CCM – Chemical, Materials, Agriculture and Food Industry Databases