[Weekly Bromine Review]: Downstream Buyers Stock Up Ahead of the Holiday; Market Trends Upward (September 18–24, 2026)

1. Market Focus This Week

①  This week, the operating rate of sample bromine producers was 50.75%, unchanged from last week.

②  The mainstream transaction price for bromine in Shandong this week was 40,000 yuan/metric ton, up 1,500 yuan/metric ton from last week.

2. Market Analysis for This Week

Figure 1  Chart Showing Trends in the Main Domestic Bromine Markets (Unit: yuan/metric ton)

The domestic bromine market remains firm, with mainstream shipping prices in Shandong holding steady around 39,500–40,500 yuan per metric ton, and bullish sentiment in the market remains strong.

On the supply side, there has been no significant increase in operating rates at bromine producers. With no inventory pressure at plants, holders remain reluctant to sell and determined to uphold prices, with quoted prices gradually rising in line with actual transaction prices. Meanwhile, prices for raw materials such as sulfur have continued to rise, strengthening cost-side support and reinforcing producers’ and manufacturers’ bullish sentiment.

On the demand side, the downstream bromine-based flame retardant industry is primarily focused on restocking to meet immediate needs, while procurement of pharmaceutical and pesticide intermediates mostly remains at a pace of small orders. As pre-holiday stockpiling proceeds steadily and bromine prices continue to rise, both inquiry activity and transaction volume in the market have increased, providing some support for further price increases. However, downstream buyers remain somewhat reluctant to purchase at current high prices, limiting the market’s upside potential in the short term, as the tug-of-war between supply and demand continues.

In August 2026, China’s bromine imports totaled 8,013 metric tons, a month-over-month increase of 9.81%, with an average import price of $4,517 per metric ton, down 4.06% from the previous month. Israel was the largest source, accounting for 2,712 metric tons at an average import price of $6,050.75 per metric ton.

In August 2026, China’s imports of sodium bromide and potassium bromide totaled 721 metric tons, a 52.36% decrease from the previous month; the average import price was $2,801 per metric ton, a 3.01% increase from the previous month. Ethiopia was the largest source, with imports totaling 572 metric tons at an average price of $2,921 per metric ton.

3. Analysis of Market Influencing Factors

1）Strong support from the raw material side.

2）Some manufacturers, affected by policy factors, still have no timeline for resuming production.

3）Industry operating rates have not shown a significant increase, and most companies’ inventories remain at low levels.

4）Downstream industries are stockpiling ahead of the holiday, and rigid procurement demand persists.

5）Imported goods are expected to arrive steadily in the near term.

4. Market Forecast for Next Week

Looking ahead to next week, the domestic bromine market is expected to continue consolidating at high levels, with the supply-demand dynamic persisting. On the supply side, industry operating rates remain generally stable; the situation of low corporate inventories and tight supply is unlikely to ease in the short term. Meanwhile, prices of raw materials such as sulfur continue to rise, and manufacturers remain reluctant to sell at lower prices to maintain prices. Low-priced spot supplies are scarce, providing solid support for the price floor. On the demand side, pre-holiday stockpiling will proceed in an orderly manner. Essential procurement by downstream sectors—including bromine-based flame retardants, pharmaceuticals, and pesticide intermediates—remains resilient, providing some support to the market. However, downstream buyers still harbor resistance to high-priced supplies, and their willingness to restock in large volumes is limited, which may to some extent curb the upward potential of bromine prices. Overall, bromine market prices are highly likely to continue fluctuating at high levels next week.

5. Impact on and Forecast for the Bromine-Based Flame Retardant Market

The bromine market remained firm this week, with mainstream transaction prices in Shandong rising to 40,000 yuan per metric ton. The cost side provides strong support for bromine-based flame retardants—high raw material prices, low factory inventories, and suppliers’ reluctance to sell at current prices—resulting in a solid cost floor for flame retardants and limited room for short-term price declines. On the demand side, pre-holiday stockpiling is proceeding steadily. The bromine-based flame retardant industry is primarily focused on replenishing essential inventory, with increased activity in inquiries and transactions providing some support to the market; however, downstream buyers remain reluctant to purchase at current high prices, and their willingness to conduct large-scale restocking is limited, thereby restraining the volume of actual transactions. Overall, the bromine-based flame retardant market is expected to continue consolidating at elevated levels next week in tandem with bromine prices. Supported by costs, prices are likely to remain stable rather than decline, though upside potential is constrained by downstream acceptance. The supply-demand tug-of-war persists; key factors to watch include the pace of pre-holiday stockpiling and follow-through on high-price bromine transactions.