Monthly Bromine Review: Bromine Prices Retreat From Highs (April 2026)

Monthly Bromine Review: Bromine Prices Retreat from Highs (April 2026)

1. Market Focus for This Month

1) Supply Side: This month, 53.23% of production capacity is in operation. Amid shifting geopolitical tensions in the Middle East, the operating rate of China’s bromine industry has steadily recovered, and market inventories have gradually increased. Market sentiment has shifted from bullish to bearish, with holders gradually lowering prices to offload inventory.

2) Demand Side: Downstream sectors continued to face dual pressures from high costs and insufficient orders. As high bromine prices lost their support and entered a downward trend, buyers—except for those with rigid demand making small-scale purchases—adopted a wait-and-see attitude rather than rushing to buy. Market transactions were weak, and a wait-and-see atmosphere prevailed.

3) Overall, concerns regarding tight supply in the bromine market have completely dissipated in April. The tug-of-war between supply and demand has intensified, and prices continue to decline.

2. Market Analysis for This Month

Figure 1: Chart of Major Domestic Bromine Market Trends (Unit: RMB/ton)

Table 1: Comparison of Regional Price Changes in China (RMB/ton)

In April, the domestic bromine supply-demand landscape underwent a significant phase-specific shift, with the supply tightness at the beginning of the month gradually giving way to a situation of oversupply by month-end.

On the supply side, domestic bromine production rates recovered gradually. At the beginning of the month, overseas bromine exports were hampered by geopolitical tensions in the Middle East, and subsequent imports of bromine are expected to decline. manufacturers initially showed a clear reluctance to sell and a strong willingness to maintain prices. However, as the situation in the Middle East evolved and production from seawater extraction increased significantly, spot market supply grew markedly. At the same time, previously shipped import cargoes gradually arrived at ports to replenish the market. Overall supply continued to expand, leading to a slow accumulation of inventory. The earlier supply tightness was completely alleviated. Under pressure from inventory buildup, producers abandoned their previous reluctance to sell and continuously lowered prices, driving the market into a downward trend.

On the demand side, after bromine prices spiked at the beginning of the month, downstream enterprises faced a sharp increase in cost pressures. They strongly resisted purchasing raw materials at high prices, generally maintaining low inventories and purchasing only what was strictly necessary, while reducing bulk stockpiling. Market transactions remained sluggish. As bromine prices continued to decline this month, downstream procurement activity has stalled. Aside from a few manufacturers making small-batch replenishments to meet immediate needs, most enterprises plan to wait until prices stabilize before purchasing, further accelerating the decline in bromine prices. Overall demand has been weak, and market trading remains sluggish.

Overall, bromine supply continued to increase in April, while downstream demand remained lackluster. A supply-exceeding-demand pattern has gradually taken shape, leading to a sharp price decline. The monthly average transaction price in the Shandong market was 56,214 yuan per ton, with the current mainstream price at 38,500 yuan per ton.

Figure 2: Comparison of Monthly Bromine Import Trends in China (tons; right axis: USD/ton)

In March 2026, China imported 7,212 tons of bromine, a month-over-month increase of 30.60%. The average import price was $4,073 per ton, up 8.70% from the previous month. Israel was the largest source, with imports totaling 2,406 tons at an average price of $3,987 per ton.

In March 2026, China’s imports of sodium bromide and potassium bromide totaled 2,089 tons, a month-on-month increase of 153.52%; the average import price was $1,592 per ton, a month-on-month decrease of 7.01%. Djibouti was the largest supplier, with imports of 1,173 tons at an average price of $1,389 per ton.

3. Key Focus Areas for the Next Period:

① The overall operating rate of the bromine industry continues to recover.

② Geopolitical developments in the Middle East and the volume of imported bromine.

③ The resumption of production by enterprises affected by policy factors.

④ Purchasing activity on the downstream demand side.

4. Market Forecast for Next Month

May Forecast: On the production side, the traditional peak season for seawater bromine extraction is approaching. Operating rates in major production regions are steadily recovering, with overall output increasing significantly compared to April, continuing to replenish social spot inventories; On the consumption side, overall downstream demand remains weak. Following earlier price fluctuations, the market lacks the capacity to absorb high prices, and downstream enterprises continue to adopt a strategy of replenishing inventories with small, essential orders, resulting in a generally subdued trading atmosphere; Regarding imports, earlier shipments have been arriving at ports, but due to the ongoing geopolitical situation in the Middle East, May arrivals are expected to begin declining, which will reduce market supply to some extent; On the cost side, raw material prices have been strongly supported by overseas developments, but this has had limited impact on the domestic bromine market. Market trends are primarily driven by supply-demand dynamics and market sentiment. As the supply-demand tug-of-war persists, the bromine market is expected to remain range-bound in May.