Primo at $120/vial and climbing, adjusting your stack because of the raw ban?
31 posts · started by FLbodybuilder · Apr 10, 2026
Posts: 233
Joined: Jul 2019
Rep: 10
👤
Marc NL
233 posts · joined Jul 2019
Dec 24, 2024 at 12:26 AM
#1
Primo at that price I just cannot justify. Switched my planned blast to test and mast-E but then mast-E went out of stock too. Ended up doing test and var which was fine but it was not what I planned. The raw ban is genuinely reshaping what people are running.
Posts: 1,016
Joined: Mar 2015
Rep: 10
👤
Jock
1,016 posts · joined Mar 2015
Dec 27, 2024 at 11:46 AM
#2
EQ at a fraction of the price and it does a decent job as a substitute for some of what primo offers. Not identical but for most guys the difference in results does not justify paying 4x more. I have been running EQ and test for the last two blasts and cannot complain.
Posts: 237
Joined: Nov 2019
Rep: 10
👤
NYCgains
237 posts · joined Nov 2019
Dec 30, 2024 at 11:06 PM
#3
$120 a vial is where primo always ends up when supply tightens. I stocked 20 vials in December when prices were still reasonable. If you did not buy ahead this is just the reality for the next 6-12 months. EQ is the smart swap for anyone who can tolerate the hematocrit management.
Posts: 552
Joined: Jun 2016
Rep: 10
👤
Beantown Rick
552 posts · joined Jun 2016
Jan 3, 2025 at 10:26 AM
#4
MTS confirmed stock for now which I appreciate. Bought what I needed last month. If you are planning a blast with primo in the next few months I would order sooner rather than waiting. The labs that have it now may not in 8 weeks.
Posts: 516
Joined: Sep 2016
Rep: 10
👤
BERLINER
516 posts · joined Sep 2016
Jan 6, 2025 at 9:46 PM
#5
In Germany we are also seeing this very much. Primo was always expensive but now some sources have no stock at any price. I think EQ becomes the standard substitute for most users this year. The quality difference matters less when primo is simply not available.
Posts: 278
Joined: Dec 2018
Rep: 10
👤
MunichMarc
278 posts · joined Dec 2018
Jan 10, 2025 at 9:06 AM
#6
This is my first blast so I have never actually used primo. I was planning to include it based on what I read but at these prices I think test only makes more sense for a beginner anyway. Is there any reason a first cycle user would specifically need primo or is it more of an advanced addition?
Posts: 568
Joined: Apr 2016
Rep: 10
👤
Dutchman
568 posts · joined Apr 2016
Jan 13, 2025 at 8:26 PM
#7
No reason at all for a first cycle. Test only is the correct approach. Primo is an addition for experienced users who want to improve body composition quality on blast without adding significant androgenic sides. At your stage the testosterone alone will produce more results than you expect. Add complexity later.
Posts: 1,016
Joined: Mar 2015
Rep: 10
👤
Jock
1,016 posts · joined Mar 2015
Apr 20, 2025 at 6:20 AM
#8
Mast-E situation is worse than primo over here. Cannot get it at any sensible price from anyone I trust. EQ is the logical swap for off-season mass but the hematocrit management adds work I do not want. Primo at current prices is painful but for prep it is still what it is. No real substitute for the end result on stage.
Posts: 568
Joined: Apr 2016
Rep: 10
👤
Dutchman
568 posts · joined Apr 2016
Apr 20, 2025 at 9:06 AM
#9
The raw restriction is hitting boldenone supply as well, not just tren precursors. Prices will not normalise quickly. EQ and primobolan are not interchangeable for prep purposes - different half life, very different anabolic to androgenic ratio, completely different on-stage result. For off-season volume EQ at 400mg works well. For pre-contest muscle hardening and the clean dry look primo delivers there is genuinely no drop-in replacement at any price.
Posts: 552
Joined: Jun 2016
Rep: 10
👤
Beantown Rick
552 posts · joined Jun 2016
Apr 20, 2025 at 11:53 AM
#10
Stocking up now is the right call if you have a prep cycle planned in the next 6 months. Waiting for prices to drop based on the current supply situation is optimistic. The ban is not easing. I ordered 3 cycles worth of primo in January and I am genuinely glad I did.
Posts: 1,016
Joined: Mar 2015
Rep: 10
👤
Jock
1,016 posts · joined Mar 2015
Apr 22, 2025 at 8:50 PM
#11
Primo was never cheap but this is getting ridiculous. Haven't paid less than 110 a vial in 18 months. EQ at 400mg as a substitute is fine if you can manage the hematocrit. Some people can't. Not every lab's EQ is consistent either.
Member
Posts: 334
Joined: May 2017
Rep: 10
👤
TEXMEX
334 posts · joined May 2017
Apr 22, 2025 at 10:46 PM
#12
EQ at 800mg to 1g weekly is basically primo money anyway once you factor in the extra compounds needed for hematocrit management. Switched to a lower primo dose and accepted the reduction in quality. 75mg per week alongside test still gives you the joint benefit and some cosmetic improvement even if it's not a full primo blast. The raw situation isn't improving any time soon based on what I'm hearing.
Posts: 516
Joined: Sep 2016
Rep: 10
👤
BERLINER
516 posts · joined Sep 2016
Apr 23, 2025 at 1:00 AM
#13
Mast-E shortage here in Germany is severe. Have not seen a reliable supply in six months. Primo at current prices I can justify for a competition prep but not for an off-season cycle. EQ at 400-500mg weekly with aggressive hydration and quarterly bloodwork is my current solution. I would not pay for primo as a mass builder at these prices when the caloric surplus covers most of what primo would add cosmetically.
Member
Posts: 106
Joined: Feb 2020
Rep: 10
👤
Geoff K
106 posts · joined Feb 2020
Apr 28, 2025 at 6:00 AM
#14
Primo price hike has proper hurt this year. I am an average bloke not running a competitive prep, just want a clean compound for a solid summer cycle. At current prices it is out of reach honestly. Ended up going test e plus masteron instead which is not the same but more affordable. If the prices do not come down by winter I will probably just stick with what works at a price I can manage.
Posts: 1,336
Joined: Feb 2015
Rep: 10
👤
FLbodybuilder
1,336 posts · joined Feb 2015
Apr 10, 2026 at 7:02 PM
#15
Anyone else getting hit with primo prices lately? What used to cost me around $80 a vial is coming up at $120-130 now from the same sources I've been using for years, and some guys I know can't find it at all. Stock just dry.
Mast-E is in the same boat from what I've heard, basically not being produced right now.
Pretty sure this is the China raw ban hitting hard, not just the usual supply fluctuations. Affects every lab not just the smaller ones. Wondering if it's worth stocking up now at these prices or just swap to EQ for the next couple of cycles while it sorts itself out. Anyone else adjusting their stack because of this?
Member
Posts: 783
Joined: Jun 2015
Rep: 10
👤
FrankfurtFit
783 posts · joined Jun 2015
Apr 12, 2026 at 11:02 AM
#16
primo was already getting up there before all this kicked off, $120/vial is just ridiculous now. switched to EQ at 700mg mid last cycle and honestly the muscle quality was comparable - takes longer to kick but the gains felt clean, no water. mast is the one thats genuinely gone, not just expensive. saw a few different suppliers saying they cant get it at all. if you can still find primo at a sensible price id stock up, no idea when the raw situation sorts itself out.
MTS STAFF - formally MR BIG
Posts: 2,507
Joined: Jan 2015
Rep: 37
BIGDADDY
2,507 posts · joined Jan 2015
Apr 12, 2026 at 1:03 PM
#17
Stock is secured for now. I won't make promises past that because the situation is still moving, but primo we're covered on. Mast-E is the one I'm most concerned about - that's genuinely hard to source right now. EQ is fine and honestly it's a solid swap if you're flexible on your stack.
Get it while it's available is the honest advice.
Moderator
Posts: 1,136
Joined: Mar 2017
Rep: 10
GODZILLA
1,136 posts · joined Mar 2017
Apr 13, 2026 at 3:03 PM
#18
We have confirmed to members through support that current stock is secured, but it would not be honest to say the situation is not being watched closely. The price increases are real and not unique to us. If primo is a core part of your stack, stocking up now at current pricing is probably the sensible move rather than waiting to see how this develops.
Posts: 466
Joined: Mar 2016
Rep: 10
👤
Davo
466 posts · joined Mar 2016
Apr 13, 2026 at 5:02 PM
#19
EQ is the obvious swap if primo goes completely dry. Not the same compound but for lean muscle retention through a blast it gets the job done without the price tag. I've been running EQ at 600 for the past couple of months and honestly if primo stays at these prices I might just stick with it long term. The China situation isn't resolving anytime soon - some raws still aren't moving and mast-e is basically gone already. I'd rather adapt the stack now than wait around hoping prices drop.
Posts: 463
Joined: Aug 2017
Rep: 10
👤
Mick AU
463 posts · joined Aug 2017
Apr 14, 2026 at 12:22 PM
#20
The wait-and-see approach makes sense if you're a couple months out from your next run, but if you're planning a primo cycle for Q3 or Q4 this year I'd lock in what I need now. The ban has been running since November and nobody's calling it as solved anytime soon. Anyone who stocked up last year was the smart one in the room.