Southwest Securities·2025-07-15 09:17Investment Rating - The report maintains an "Outperform" rating for the chemical industry as of July 15, 2025 [1] Core Insights - The potassium fertilizer prices are experiencing a continuous recovery, benefiting companies with abundant resources [2] - Domestic production of potassium chloride has decreased year-on-year, while inventory levels remain low, indicating a tightening supply [3] - The potassium fertilizer market is characterized by an oligopoly, with geopolitical conflicts introducing uncertainties that may affect supply and pricing [4] Summary by Sections Potassium Fertilizer Price Trends - As of July 11, 2025, domestic prices for potassium chloride have risen significantly, with prices at 3339 CNY/ton and 3000 CNY/ton, marking increases of 823 CNY/ton and 450 CNY/ton since the beginning of the year [2] - In Q2 2025, the average price for domestic potassium chloride was 2993.95 CNY/ton, reflecting a quarter-on-quarter increase of 105.50 CNY/ton and a year-on-year increase of 597.50 CNY/ton [2] Domestic Production and Inventory - In the first half of 2025, China's potassium chloride production totaled 2.53 million tons, a decrease of 17.1% year-on-year, with June's production at 416,300 tons, down 27.9% year-on-year [3] - Domestic market inventory stands at 1.768 million tons, down 820,000 tons since the beginning of the year, indicating a tight supply situation [3] Market Structure and Geopolitical Risks - The global potassium fertilizer market is dominated by a few countries, primarily Canada, Russia, and Belarus, creating an oligopolistic structure [4] - Recent geopolitical tensions, such as the U.S. imposing tariffs on potassium fertilizer imports from Canada and Mexico, and conflicts involving Israel, pose risks to supply and pricing stability [4] Investment Opportunities - The report highlights that companies with rich potassium resources are likely to benefit from the ongoing market recovery, with specific companies mentioned as potential investment targets [9]