2025 Chile Iodine (HS Code 280120) Export: Price Surge
Key Takeaways
Iodine, classified under HS Code 280120 (Iodine), exhibited extreme volatility from January to September 2025.
- Market Pulse: Volume surged 147% from January to August, peaking at 3.00M kg, while unit prices swung wildly between $31.24/kg and $53.01/kg, driving a 237% value spike in March.
- Structural Shift: Chile Iodine Export relies heavily on China (28.09% of value) and the Netherlands (21.59%), creating dual demand profiles—bulk industrial vs. premium applications.
- Product Logic: HS Code 280120 trade data reveals a monolithic market structure, with 100% of exports concentrated in a single high-value sub-category priced at $45.83/kg, signaling a niche, quality-driven export strategy.
This overview covers the period from January to September 2025 and is based on verified customs data from the yTrade database.
Chile Iodine (HS Code 280120) Key Metrics Trend
Market Trend Summary
The Chile Iodine Export trend for the first three quarters of 2025 was marked by extreme volatility, with exports starting modestly before surging dramatically in Q2 and then oscillating sharply. Volume peaked in August at 3.00M kg, a 147% increase from January's 992K kg, while unit prices swung from a low of $31.24/kg in June to a high of $53.01/kg in July, driving a 237% value spike in March.
Drivers & Industry Context
The Q2 surge in hs code 280120 value aligns with the EU-Chile Interim Trade Agreement effective February 1, 2025, which streamlined rules of origin and documentation for preferential access to the EU market [EU-Chile ITA Guidance]. Subsequent volatility reflects demand shifts from key partners like China, which dominated August shipments (yTrade), and price sensitivity to global industrial cycles. The stable policy environment noted in July (yTrade) prevented further disruption, but market responsiveness drove the sharp Q3 corrections.
Table: Chile Iodine Export Trend (Source: yTrade)
| Date | Value | Weight | Unit Price | Value MoM | Weight MoM | Unit Price MoM |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025-01-01 | 36.62M USD | 992.35K kg | $36.90/kg | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| 2025-02-01 | 38.34M USD | 1.14M kg | $33.70/kg | +4.69% | +14.64% | -8.68% |
| 2025-03-01 | 129.39M USD | 2.81M kg | $45.99/kg | +237.51% | +147.29% | +36.48% |
| 2025-04-01 | 129.98M USD | 2.55M kg | $50.93/kg | +0.45% | -9.28% | +10.73% |
| 2025-05-01 | 104.84M USD | 2.15M kg | $48.85/kg | -19.34% | -15.91% | -4.09% |
| 2025-06-01 | 32.46M USD | 1.04M kg | $31.24/kg | -69.04% | -51.59% | -36.04% |
| 2025-07-01 | 93.41M USD | 1.76M kg | $53.01/kg | +187.78% | +69.58% | +69.70% |
| 2025-08-01 | 141.63M USD | 3.00M kg | $47.18/kg | +51.63% | +70.38% | -11.01% |
| 2025-09-01 | 97.69M USD | 2.11M kg | $46.40/kg | -31.03% | -29.86% | -1.66% |
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Chile HS Code 280120 Export Breakdown
Market Composition & Top Categories
According to yTrade data, Chile's HS Code 280120 export market for iodine is entirely dominated by a single sub-category, accounting for 100% of both value and volume throughout the first three quarters of 2025. This monolithic structure indicates no diversification within Chile HS Code 280120 Export, with all shipments classified under the same product description. The absence of other sub-codes suggests a highly concentrated trade flow focused solely on this form of iodine.
Value Chain & Strategic Insights
The unit price of 45.83 USD per kilogram positions this iodine export as a high-value product, typical of purified or specialized grades rather than bulk commodities. This HS Code 280120 breakdown reveals a market driven by quality and specific industrial applications, not price sensitivity. For Chile, this trade structure supports a niche, value-added export strategy with stable pricing dynamics.
Check Detailed HS Code 280120 Breakdown
Chile Iodine Destination Countries
Geographic Concentration & Market Risk
Chile's iodine exports in the first three quarters of 2025 show a high reliance on a single market. China Mainland is the dominant partner, accounting for 28.09% of the total export value. This concentration on one primary destination among the Chile Iodine export destinations creates significant market risk from any demand shift or trade policy change in that single country.
Purchasing Behavior & Demand Segmentation
The trade partners for Iodine reveal two distinct demand profiles. China's lower value-to-weight ratio indicates a market for price-sensitive bulk industrial processing. In contrast, the Netherlands presents a premium segment, with its value share (21.59%) exceeding its weight share (19.11%), signaling demand for higher-value specifications. This split defines Chile's export strategy: volume scale with China and margin potential with European partners.
Table: Chile Iodine (HS Code 280120) Top Destination Countries (Source: yTrade)
| Country | Value | Quantity | Frequency | Weight |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CHINA MAINLAND | 225.96M | 6.05M | 177.00 | 6.31M |
| NETHERLANDS | 173.64M | 3.15M | 77.00 | 3.35M |
| UNITED STATES | 119.67M | 1.84M | 95.00 | 2.10M |
| INDIA | 113.10M | 2.13M | 69.00 | 2.21M |
| NORWAY | 89.89M | 1.37M | 17.00 | 1.41M |
| BRAZIL | ****** | ****** | ****** | ****** |
Get Chile Iodine (HS Code 280120) Complete Destination Countries Profile
Action Plan for Iodine Market Operation and Expansion
- Diversify export markets: Reduce reliance on China by targeting secondary EU markets like Germany or France to mitigate geopolitical or demand shocks.
- Lock in premium pricing with the Netherlands: Leverage the EU-Chile trade agreement to secure long-term contracts for high-margin shipments, capitalizing on their preference for value-added iodine.
- Implement price hedging: Counteract volatility by securing forward contracts or price adjustment clauses, especially during peak demand months (Q2-Q3).
- Audit logistics costs: Optimize shipping and handling for bulk shipments to China, where lower unit prices demand tighter cost control.
- Monitor EU policy updates: Track changes to rules of origin under the EU-Chile Interim Trade Agreement to maintain preferential access and avoid compliance disruptions.
Take Action Now —— Explore Chile Iodine HS Code 280120 Export Data
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1. What is driving the recent changes in Chile Iodine Export in 2025?
The extreme volatility in Chile's iodine exports is driven by the EU-Chile trade agreement in Q2 2025 and demand shifts from key partners like China, causing volume and price swings.
Q2. Who are the main destination countries of Chile Iodine (HS Code 280120) in 2025?
China Mainland dominates with 28.09% of export value, followed by the Netherlands at 21.59%, reflecting a split between bulk and premium demand segments.
Q3. Why does the unit price differ across destination countries of Chile Iodine Export in 2025?
Price differences stem from market segmentation—China buys bulk industrial-grade iodine, while the Netherlands pays premium prices for higher-value specifications.
Q4. What should exporters in Chile focus on in the current Iodine export market?
Exporters should balance volume-driven trade with China and margin-focused shipments to Europe while mitigating risks from over-reliance on a single market.
Q5. What does this Chile Iodine export pattern mean for buyers in partner countries?
Buyers in China benefit from stable bulk supply, while European buyers access high-value iodine, though both face price volatility from concentrated trade flows.
Q6. How is Iodine typically used in this trade flow?
Chile's iodine exports are specialized, high-value products (priced at ~$45.83/kg), likely for industrial applications requiring purified or premium-grade inputs.
Detailed Monthly and Quarterly Report
Chile HS Code 280120 Export Data Snapshot 2025 FEB
Chile HS Code 280120 Export Data Snapshot 2025 APR
Chile HS Code 280120 Export Data Snapshot 2025 MAY
Chile HS Code 280120 Export Data Snapshot 2025 JUN
Chile HS Code 280120 Export Data Snapshot 2025 JUL
Chile HS Code 280120 Export Data Snapshot 2025 AUG
Chile HS Code 280120 Export Data Snapshot 2025 SEP
Chile HS Code 280120 Export Data Snapshot 2025 Q1
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