[Weekly Bromine Market Review]: Downstream Buyers Make Purchases to Meet Immediate Needs; Market Continues Uptrend (October 30–November 7, 2026)

1. Market Highlights for This Week

① The operating rate of bromine sample companies this week was 49.67%, unchanged from last week.

② The mainstream transaction price for bromine in Shandong this week was 44,000 yuan/metric ton, up 1,250 yuan/metric ton from last week.

2. Market Analysis for This Week

Figure 1  Price Trends in Major Domestic Bromine Markets (Unit: yuan/metric ton)

This week, the domestic bromine market consolidated at high levels, with mainstream selling prices in Shandong fluctuating between 43,500 and 44,500 yuan per metric ton, as tight supply conditions persisted.

On the supply side, operating rates in the bromine industry remain relatively low, and spot market supplies continue to be tight. With little pressure on factories and stockholders to sell, coupled with expectations of declining future output, there is a strong sentiment to hold onto inventory rather than sell. As a result, most offers follow market trends and are flexibly adjusted upward. Currently, manufacturers are largely adopting a wait-and-see attitude, with little willingness to sell at low prices, providing firm support for prices from the supply side.

On the demand side, demand from major downstream application sectors, such as flame retardants, has been lackluster, with limited capacity to absorb high-priced supplies; market transactions have primarily consisted of sporadic small orders. Affected by the significant price volatility of bromine in the previous period, buyers have adopted a cautious stance, mostly maintaining a pace of restocking based on immediate needs, with little willingness to purchase at higher prices; overall trading activity remains subdued. Overall, the tug-of-war between tight supply and weak demand continues, with the market consolidating within a high-price range.

In September 2026, China's bromine imports totaled 9,200.34 metric tons, a month-over-month increase of 14.81%. The average import price was $4,248.94 per metric ton, down 5.93% from the previous month. Israel was the largest source, with imports totaling 2,440.28 metric tons at an average price of $4,694.79 per metric ton.

In September 2026, China’s imports of sodium bromide and potassium bromide totaled 644.03 metric tons, a month-over-month decrease of 10.68%; the average import price was $2,366.69 per metric ton, down 15.49% month-over-month. Ethiopia accounted for the largest volume of imports at 484 metric tons, with an average price of $2,372.13 per metric ton.

3. Analysis of Market Influencing Factors

1. Changes in raw material costs.

2. The sales sentiment of stockholders and manufacturers.

3. The willingness of downstream pesticide and flame retardant manufacturers to absorb high prices.

4. Spot market supply and the availability of low-priced goods.

5. Market trading sentiment and actual transaction volume.

4. Market Forecast for Next Week

Outlook for Next Week: The domestic bromine market is expected to remain in a high-price stalemate next week, characterized by “supply-side efforts to prop up prices and demand-side reluctance to absorb them.” Overall prices are likely to remain range-bound, with the price center in the main market of Shandong expected to fluctuate narrowly around 44,000–45,000 yuan per metric ton. From the supply side, the underlying logic of tight supply remains unchanged. In major producing regions, low bromine concentrations in brine are constraining production, making it difficult to increase operating rates in the short term. Inventories at manufacturers and stockholders are generally low, and the scarcity of spot market supplies has reduced stockholders’ willingness to offer discounts. However, on the demand side, negative feedback from core downstream application sectors is gradually becoming apparent. Faced with persistently high raw material prices, downstream enterprises—such as pesticide and flame retardant manufacturers—are seeing their profits squeezed. Their ability to absorb current high prices is clearly insufficient; many have shifted to primarily depleting existing inventories or maintaining only minimal essential purchases, with strong reluctance to chase higher prices, leading to a subdued trading atmosphere. Coupled with limited support from raw material costs, the market lacks the momentum for a further upward breakout. Overall, amid the tug-of-war between tight supply and firm prices on the supply side and weak demand on the demand side, the bromine market is expected to consolidate at elevated levels in the coming period. Close attention should be paid to production changes in major producing regions, import volumes, and follow-through on downstream orders.

5. Short-Term Impact on Bromine-Based Flame Retardants

Cost pressures persist, with prices remaining at high levels. As the core raw material for bromine-based flame retardants, the mainstream transaction price of bromine in Shandong has risen to 44,000 yuan/metric ton (up 1,250 yuan/metric ton week-on-week). Furthermore, the operating rate on the supply side is only 49.67%, spot market liquidity is tight, and holders are hoarding inventory and reluctant to sell. In the short term, bromine prices are expected to fluctuate within a narrow range at high levels between 44,000 and 45,000 yuan per metric ton. Raw material costs for bromine-based flame retardants provide strong support, leaving limited room for price concessions.

Negative feedback from the demand side is evident, with little willingness to chase higher prices. Downstream flame retardant manufacturers have limited capacity to absorb high-priced supplies; transactions are primarily sporadic small orders. Buyers are mostly maintaining purchases to meet immediate needs and depleting existing inventory, with strong reluctance to pay higher prices—the short-term sales pace for bromine-based flame retardants remains sluggish, and there is significant resistance to passing price increases down the supply chain.

Overall Assessment: In the short term, the bromine-based flame retardant market is locked in a high-level stalemate characterized by “cost-driven price support and weak demand,” leaving prices stuck in a range-bound pattern. If bromine supply remains tight, passive price increases for flame retardants cannot be ruled out; however, insufficient end-user absorption will limit the extent of any gains. Attention should be paid to changes in production rates in major production areas, import volumes, and the follow-through of downstream orders.

6. Assessment for Downstream Users

In the short term, downstream users are advised to purchase on an as-needed basis and manage inventory levels carefully; they should avoid blindly chasing high prices to stockpile. At the same time, they should monitor the adoption pace of alternative solutions, such as halogen-free flame retardants, to diversify the risk of price volatility associated with a single bromine-based raw material. Pay close attention to changes in operating rates in major bromine-producing regions, import volumes, and the status of your own end-user orders. If bromine supply remains tight, flame retardant prices may still be forced to rise; therefore, it is necessary to lock in essential volumes in advance.