Chile Iodine HS280120 Export Data 2025 Q2 Overview

Chile Iodine (HS 280120) 2025 Q2 Export: Key Takeaways

Chile's iodine exports under HS Code 280120 in Q2 2025 reveal a market split between bulk commodity-grade shipments to high-volume buyers like China (33.79% weight share) and premium pharmaceutical-grade demand from high-value EU partners like the Netherlands (23.53% value share). The EU-Chile trade agreement simplifies access to premium markets, while China's dominance in volume at lower unit prices ($0.34/kg) highlights reliance on raw material demand. This analysis of 2025 Q2 trade flows is based on verified customs data from the yTrade database.

Chile Iodine (HS 280120) 2025 Q2 Export Background

What is HS Code 280120?

HS Code 280120 covers iodine, an inorganic chemical used in pharmaceuticals, disinfectants, and industrial applications. Global demand remains stable due to its critical role in medical imaging, water treatment, and electronics manufacturing. Chile is a key producer, leveraging its natural resources to supply iodine to markets like India and the EU [Tradeimex].

Current Context and Strategic Position

The EU-Chile Interim Trade Agreement (ITA), effective February 2025, streamlines preferential origin certification for Chilean exports, including iodine (HS 280120) [KPMG]. While no direct tariff changes affect iodine in Q2 2025, exporters must adapt to the ITA’s new documentation rules for EU-bound shipments. Chile’s strategic position as a top iodine producer underscores the need for vigilance in tracking trade policy shifts and maintaining compliance in 2025.

Chile Iodine (HS 280120) 2025 Q2 Export: Trend Summary

Key Observations

Chile Iodine HS Code 280120 Export 2025 Q2 performance was exceptionally strong, with total export value reaching $266.3 million and volume at 5.74 million kg. March and April were particularly robust, each exceeding $129 million in monthly export value.

Price and Volume Dynamics

Q2 exports showed remarkable growth compared to Q1's $204.4 million total, with March alone nearly matching Q1's entire value. This surge aligns with typical industrial procurement cycles where first-half buying accelerates production inputs. The June decline to $32.5 million suggests inventory normalization after this concentrated demand period, though quarterly averages remained elevated.

External Context and Outlook

The export surge directly corresponds with the [EU-Chile Interim Trade Agreement] implemented February 1, 2025, which streamlined origin certification for EU-bound chemicals. This policy change likely accelerated shipments to European markets in early Q2, particularly visible in March's peak. While June's pullback indicates temporary demand saturation, the new trade framework sustains favorable access conditions for future Chile Iodine exports under HS Code 280120.

Chile Iodine (HS 280120) 2025 Q2 Export: HS Code Breakdown

Product Specialization and Concentration

In 2025 Q2, Chile's export of Iodine under HS Code 280120 is entirely concentrated in a single product variant, with no sub-code diversification. The sole sub-code, 28012000 for Iodine, accounts for 100% of export value and volume, featuring a unit price of 46.58 USD per kilogram, as per yTrade data. This high concentration indicates a specialized, monolithic trade structure for Chile Iodine HS Code 280120 Export in this period.

Value-Chain Structure and Grade Analysis

The absence of multiple sub-codes suggests that Iodine exports are uniform, traded primarily as a bulk chemical commodity without discernible grade or form variations. This structure points to a fungible product, where pricing is likely tied to global commodity indices rather than value-add differentiation, reinforcing its nature as a raw material in Chile's export portfolio for 2025 Q2.

Strategic Implication and Pricing Power

Chile's monopolistic export position for Iodine under HS Code 280120 in 2025 Q2 could grant pricing leverage, but as a bulk commodity, it remains vulnerable to international market fluctuations. The EU-Chile Interim Trade Agreement, effective from February 2025, may bolster export efficiency to the EU by simplifying origin rules [European Commission], though direct impacts on Iodine require monitoring for sustained competitive advantage.

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Chile Iodine (HS 280120) 2025 Q2 Export: Market Concentration

Geographic Concentration and Dominant Role

In Q2 2025, Chile's iodine exports under HS Code 280120 show strong concentration, with China Mainland as the dominant partner by volume, accounting for 33.79% of weight but only 24.59% of value, indicating a lower unit price around $0.34 per kg and suggesting bulk, commodity-grade trading. This disparity between value and weight ratios points to China's role as a high-volume, lower-value buyer, typical for raw material sourcing in chemical industries.

Partner Countries Clusters and Underlying Causes

The top importers form two clear clusters: first, high-volume buyers like China and India, with weight shares over 14% but value shares lower, likely due to bulk purchases for industrial or agricultural uses. Second, high-value partners such as Netherlands and Norway, where value ratios exceed weight ratios (e.g., Netherlands at 23.53% value vs. 19.75% weight), implying demand for purer, pharmaceutical-grade iodine. A third cluster includes the United States and Brazil, with balanced ratios, possibly for diverse applications including healthcare or electronics.

Forward Strategy and Supply Chain Implications

For Chile, maintaining reliable supply chains to high-volume markets like China is key, but diversifying into value-added exports to high-value clusters could boost margins. The EU-Chile Interim Trade Agreement effective from February 2025 simplifies origin rules for exports to EU members like Netherlands, potentially reducing barriers and enhancing trade flows under HS Code 280120 [EU-Chile ITA Guidance]. Exporters should ensure compliance with these new rules to capitalize on preferential access and mitigate over-reliance on any single market.

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Chile Iodine (HS 280120) 2025 Q2 Export: Action Plan for Iodine Market Expansion

Strategic Supply Chain Overview

The Chile Iodine Export 2025 Q2 under HS Code 280120 operates as a pure bulk commodity. Price is driven by global market indices and buyer purchasing volume, not product differentiation. China's high-volume, low-price purchases dominate trade flows, while EU partners like the Netherlands pay premium prices for higher-grade iodine. This creates supply chain reliance on a few large buyers, increasing vulnerability to demand shifts. The new EU-Chile trade agreement simplifies origin rules, offering potential cost savings for EU-bound shipments.

Action Plan: Data-Driven Steps for Iodine Market Execution

• Negotiate long-term contracts with top-volume buyers using shipment frequency data. This secures stable revenue and reduces exposure to spot price volatility.
• Segment EU buyers by unit price to identify premium-grade demand. Target high-value markets like the Netherlands to increase profit margins under the new trade agreement.
• Monitor real-time trade data for new buyers in emerging markets. Diversify your client base to decrease reliance on a single dominant partner.
• Automate origin certification for EU exports using the EU-Chile agreement guidelines. Reduce administrative costs and accelerate customs clearance for frequent shipments.

Take Action Now —— Explore Chile Iodine Export Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1. What is driving the recent changes in Chile Iodine Export 2025 Q2?

The surge in Q2 exports to $266.3 million, led by March and April peaks, aligns with industrial procurement cycles and the EU-Chile Interim Trade Agreement's streamlined origin rules, which accelerated EU-bound shipments.

Q2. Who are the main partner countries in this Chile Iodine Export 2025 Q2?

China dominates by volume (33.79% of weight), while the Netherlands leads in value (23.53%), reflecting bulk vs. high-grade demand. India and Norway also feature prominently.

Q3. Why does the unit price differ across Chile Iodine Export 2025 Q2 partner countries?

Price gaps stem from trade structure: China buys bulk commodity-grade iodine at $0.34/kg, while the Netherlands and Norway likely purchase higher-purity variants for pharmaceutical or specialty uses.

Q4. What should exporters in Chile focus on in the current Iodine export market?

Prioritize retaining high-volume buyers (94.63% of value) while diversifying into high-value markets like the EU, leveraging the new trade agreement’s simplified certification.

Q5. What does this Chile Iodine export pattern mean for buyers in partner countries?

High-volume buyers (e.g., China) benefit from stable bulk supply, while EU buyers gain preferential access to higher-grade iodine under streamlined trade terms.

Q6. How is Iodine typically used in this trade flow?

Exports are uniform (HS 28012000), traded as a bulk chemical commodity, primarily for industrial (e.g., agriculture, electronics) and pharmaceutical applications depending on destination.

Detailed Monthly Report

Chile HS280120 Export Snapshot 2025 APR

Chile HS280120 Export Snapshot 2025 MAY

Chile HS280120 Export Snapshot 2025 JUN