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Chile remains the world’s dominant exporter of iodine, accounting for over 50% of global exports, followed by Japan and Russia as secondary suppliers. Major importers include the United States, Germany, and South Korea—key markets for pharmaceuticals, catalysts, and LCD manufacturing. Global iodine trade volumes have remained relatively stable since 2022, though elevated iodine prices have coincided with tightening supply from Chilean brine operations and increased demand in medical imaging and energy storage applications.
I. Market Dynamics Intelligence
1. Price Trends
- The domestic market price of iodine has recently shown a slight upward trend, with mainstream transaction prices increasing by approximately 2%-3% compared to the previous week. In some regions, the price increase for high-quality iodine products is slightly higher, reaching 3%-5%.
- Internationally, iodine prices have also risen, with major exporting countries raising their quotes. This has increased the cost of imported iodine, driving domestic market prices to follow suit.
2. Supply Situation
- The overall operating rate of domestic iodine production enterprises remains stable. However, due to equipment maintenance or raw material supply issues, some enterprises have experienced a slight decrease in output, reducing market supply by approximately 5% compared to the previous week.
- On the import front, rising international logistics costs and adjustments to export policies in certain countries have led to a decrease in the volume of imported iodine arriving at ports, tightening the available market supply.
3. Demand Situation
- Demand for iodine in the downstream pharmaceutical industry remains steadily growing. Increased demand for iodine in new drug R&D and production has led some pharmaceutical companies to increase their procurement volumes.
- Demand for iodine in the chemical sector has also risen, driven by expanded applications in industries such as dyes and catalysts, boosting overall demand by approximately 8%.
4. Inventory Situation
- Inventory levels at domestic iodine production enterprises are at a low level, with average inventory turnover days shortened to 10-15 days.
- Trader inventories are also relatively limited. Some traders, concerned about continued price increases, are reluctant to sell, further reducing market circulating inventory.
II. Analysis and Judgment
1. Reasons for Price Increase
- Supply Side: Tightened market supply due to decreased domestic production and reduced imports is the main factor driving the price increase of iodine.
- Demand Side: Growing demand from the downstream pharmaceutical and chemical industries provides strong support for the price increase.
- Cost Side: Rising international logistics costs and adjustments to export policies in certain countries have increased the cost of imported iodine, thereby pushing up domestic prices.
2. Market Sentiment
- Production enterprises and traders have a relatively optimistic outlook for the future market, with strong bullish sentiment. Production enterprises, facing low inventories and sufficient orders, are willing to raise prices; traders are reluctant to sell in anticipation of higher prices, further exacerbating the tight market supply.
- Although downstream enterprises have some resistance to price increases, due to rigid demand, they are forced to accept the price hikes, and their procurement enthusiasm has not been significantly affected.
III. Forecasts
1. Short-term Forecast (1-2 Weeks)
- Price Trend: Iodine prices are expected to continue rising, with a potential increase of 3%-5%. The tight supply situation is unlikely to ease in the short term, while sustained downstream demand will drive prices further upward.
- Supply Situation: The operating rate of domestic production enterprises is expected to remain stable, with no significant changes in output. The volume of imported iodine arriving at ports may remain low, keeping market supply tight.
- Demand Situation: Demand from the downstream pharmaceutical and chemical industries will continue to grow steadily, and procurement volumes of iodine will not decrease.
2. Medium-term Forecast (1-3 Months)
- Price Trend: If the tight supply situation is not effectively alleviated, iodine prices are expected to continue rising, although the rate of increase may gradually slow down, with an estimated increase of 5%-8%. As prices rise, downstream enterprises will face greater cost pressure, which may suppress demand growth to some extent.
- Supply Situation: Domestic production enterprises may adjust their production plans based on market conditions to increase output. On the import side, if issues with international logistics and export policies are resolved, import volumes may increase, alleviating the tight market supply.
- Demand Situation: Demand from the pharmaceutical industry will continue to grow, but the growth rate may slow down due to cost factors. Demand in the chemical industry may be affected, with some enterprises potentially seeking alternative raw materials or reducing usage.
Iodine is a lustrous, purple-black solid at room temperature that sublimes readily to form a violet vapor with a sharp, pungent odor. It is a nonmetallic halogen element, existing as diatomic molecules (I₂) in its standard state, with a melting point of 113.7 °C and boiling point of 184.3 °C. Iodine serves primarily as a key reagent and intermediate in organic synthesis, particularly in electrophilic iodination reactions and the preparation of organoiodine compounds. Its principal applications span pharmaceuticals (e.g., contrast agents, antiseptics, thyroid hormone synthesis), agrochemicals (as a building block for fungicides and plant growth regulators), and specialty chemicals including liquid crystal monomers and catalysts for polymerization.
Anti-infective, topical.
Iodine is available as bluish-black crystals with a metallic luster and a pungent odor. It is slightly soluble in water (0.03 g/100 g). It is stable under ordinary conditions of use and storage. Iodine is incompatible with ammonia, powdered metals, alkali metals, or strong reducing agents. It reacts violently or explosively with acetaldehyde and acetylene, and reacts with ammonium hydroxide to form shock-sensitive iodides on drying. Iodine is a naturally occurring element that is essential for the good health of people and animals. Iodine is found in small amounts in seawater and in certain rocks and sediments. Iodine occurs in many different forms that can be blue, brown, yellow, red, white, or colorless. Most forms of iodine easily dissolve in water or alcohol. Iodine has many uses. Its most important use is as a disinfectant for cleaning surfaces and storage containers. It is also used in skin soaps and bandages, and for purifying water. Iodine is used in medicines and is added to food, such as table salt, to ensure that people have enough iodine in their bodies to form essential thyroid hormones. Iodine is put into animal feeds for the same reason. Iodine is used in the chemical industry for making inks and coloring agents, chemicals used in photography, and in making batteries, fuels, and lubricants. Radioactive iodine also occurs naturally. Radioactive iodine is used in medical tests and to treat certain diseases, such as over-activity or cancer of the thyroid gland. Iodine is important for the thyroid gland to produce thyroid hormones.
This chemical is included in Basic Chemicals. See more about what is Iodine and Iodine SDS information.
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