News Release: may 01, 2025 Thiourea Price, Production, Latest News and Developments in 2025
The global Thiourea market has witnessed significant shifts in pricing, production, and trade dynamics over the last few years, particularly in 2025. The market is influenced by factors including raw material availability, regional supply-demand imbalances, import-export policies, and changing applications across various industries. For in-depth updates, visit the Thiourea price trend and production News.
Thiourea Price Trend in Past Five Years and Factors Impacting Price Movements
From 2020 to 2024, Thiourea prices exhibited considerable fluctuations driven by multiple macroeconomic and sectoral developments. In 2020, average prices stood around $940/MT. The COVID-19 pandemic impacted both supply chains and production capacities, leading to a mild decline in demand across textile and mining sectors. As a result, by the third quarter of 2020, prices dropped to $880/MT.
In 2021, with economies reopening, the price of Thiourea rebounded to an average of $1,010/MT. China, being one of the largest producers and exporters, experienced increased demand from regions like Southeast Asia, Africa, and Latin America. Strong demand from the textile processing and agriculture sectors added further upward pressure on prices.
In 2022, Thiourea prices witnessed a peak due to rising energy and feedstock costs globally. The Russia-Ukraine conflict and surging urea prices pushed Thiourea costs to an average of $1,180/MT. The increased use of Thiourea in gold leaching and fertilizer sectors, coupled with supply disruptions in Eastern Europe, caused prices to rise even further in some quarters, reaching $1,240/MT.
In 2023, the price trend saw stabilization, averaging around $1,100/MT throughout the year. Market corrections were observed due to improved production capacities in South Asia and a slight dip in demand from the mining sector. Environmental restrictions also played a part, with several producers shifting to cleaner technologies, which initially raised production costs but later streamlined output.
By 2024, Thiourea prices dropped slightly to an average of $1,030/MT, primarily due to rising inventories in key producing countries and weaker-than-expected demand from the industrial sector. Additionally, improved supply chain logistics helped curb transportation and raw material input costs, stabilizing the market.
Key factors that influenced Thiourea price trends during this five-year period include:
- Raw material costs, particularly the price of urea and sulfur, which directly affect Thiourea synthesis.
- Geopolitical tensions and trade policies disrupting global movement of goods.
- Demand shifts in gold mining, textile processing, and agriculture sectors.
- Environmental regulations influencing production methods and compliance costs.
- Technological upgrades that improved efficiency and reduced waste.
In 2025, the Thiourea price trend is showing early signs of a marginal increase as demand from the gold extraction and fertilizer sectors remains robust, especially in developing economies.
Thiourea Price Trend Quarterly Update in $/MT (Estimated Quarterly Prices for 2025)
The following is the estimated quarterly Thiourea price news for 2025, based on industry evaluations and early-year pricing behavior:
- Q1 2025: $1,060/MT
Thiourea prices began the year with moderate growth due to seasonal demand from agriculture and renewed textile processing activity post-holidays.
- Q2 2025: $1,110/MT
The second quarter saw increased demand in gold recovery industries, along with moderate price hikes in China due to supply controls.
- Q3 2025: $1,145/MT
With mining activities peaking and sustained agricultural use in South America and Africa, Thiourea price trend reflected upward momentum.
- Q4 2025: $1,100/MT
Prices eased slightly in Q4 due to inventory buildup in Asia-Pacific markets, but overall, the annual average remains higher than 2024.
This quarterly update offers insight into the Thiourea price news that businesses and policymakers need for making informed procurement and investment decisions.
Global Thiourea Import-Export Business Overview
In 2025, the Thiourea global trade landscape continues to be shaped by strategic movements from key manufacturing nations, evolving import-export regulations, and demand shifts in various industrial sectors.
Asia-Pacific dominates the global Thiourea production, with China, India, and South Korea being the top contributors. These countries not only supply regional demands but also serve major export markets in the Middle East, Europe, and Africa. China remains the largest producer and exporter, accounting for over 45% of global Thiourea sales volume.
The major importing regions include Latin America and Sub-Saharan Africa, where Thiourea is extensively used in gold leaching and agricultural fungicide formulations. European countries, particularly Germany and France, import Thiourea primarily for industrial synthesis and photographic chemicals.
In the past year, India has ramped up its production capabilities to reduce reliance on imports, driven by domestic demand and governmental incentives under chemical manufacturing schemes. Indian exports of Thiourea in 2025 are projected to grow by nearly 8% compared to 2024.
South Korea and Japan have sustained their role as reliable exporters of high-purity Thiourea, often used in specialty chemicals and electronics. The U.S., while not a leading producer, has seen a rise in Thiourea imports in the first half of 2025, mainly for mining and laboratory use.
On the African front, countries like South Africa and Ghana are leading importers due to active gold mining sectors. Thiourea demand here is being supported by technology upgrades that allow for more efficient gold recovery, thus increasing the need for consistent chemical supply.
South American countries such as Peru, Chile, and Brazil also import large volumes of Thiourea. With growing applications in fertilizers and pest control, the region has seen a consistent rise in Thiourea consumption since 2023. The Brazilian government has recently reduced import tariffs on key industrial chemicals, including Thiourea, in a move to support agribusiness growth.
Trade routes and logistics have evolved in 2025, with more direct shipping lines being established between Asia and African mining hubs. Port upgrades in countries like Kenya and Nigeria have streamlined Thiourea imports, reducing average delivery times by 12-15%.
Key 2025 Developments in Thiourea Trade:
- China has announced export quotas on certain grades of Thiourea to prioritize domestic consumption, impacting global prices and availability.
- Indonesia and Vietnam are emerging as new exporters, thanks to improved chemical manufacturing infrastructure and increased foreign investment.
- The European Union is reviewing import regulations on certain Thiourea derivatives due to environmental and health concerns, which may reshape trade dynamics in Q4 2025 and into 2026.
- The U.S. has initiated an anti-dumping investigation on Thiourea imports from certain Asian countries, which could influence pricing strategies and trade flows in the coming quarters.
Overall, the Thiourea sales volume in international trade has increased by an estimated 5.7% in the first three quarters of 2025, signaling a healthy rebound from the stagnation observed in 2023. However, regional disparities in pricing and availability remain, depending on trade regulations and logistics.
The Thiourea production capacity globally is estimated to have grown by nearly 6% in 2025, driven by expansion projects in Asia-Pacific and investments in sustainable manufacturing techniques. Producers are also focusing on reducing environmental footprints through closed-loop synthesis and better waste management systems.
Conclusion
As we move through 2025, Thiourea remains a critical industrial chemical with diverse applications. Price movements are influenced by demand in agriculture, mining, and chemical processing sectors, while trade continues to be shaped by geopolitical and policy changes.
The Thiourea price trend is expected to remain moderately upward through the rest of 2025, with quarterly fluctuations driven by seasonal demand cycles and production adjustments. Businesses reliant on this chemical need to monitor global developments closely to mitigate supply risks and optimize procurement strategies.
Stay updated on the latest Thiourea price trend and production News or request a sample to gain detailed insights into pricing forecasts, production strategies, and import-export patterns across global markets.
Thiourea Production Trends by Geography
Thiourea production is heavily influenced by regional availability of raw materials, infrastructure capacity, industrial demand, and environmental regulations. In 2025, global Thiourea production is largely concentrated in Asia-Pacific, followed by Europe and parts of Latin America. A closer look at production trends by geography reveals how different regions contribute to and shape the global Thiourea market.
Asia-Pacific remains the dominant producer of Thiourea, with China, India, and South Korea leading in terms of both volume and technological capacity. China alone contributes to nearly half of the global production. Its extensive infrastructure, access to raw materials like urea and sulfur, and cost-effective labor have helped it maintain a strong foothold in the market. In 2025, Chinese producers have increased output to meet domestic and export demand, especially in agricultural and mining applications.
India has emerged as a growing producer, supported by government initiatives encouraging chemical manufacturing under industrial incentive programs. Indian production has grown significantly over the past two years due to increased investment in mid-sized chemical plants and a strong internal market demand. These trends are expected to continue in 2025, with several new plants in Gujarat and Maharashtra slated for commercial operations.
South Korea and Japan also maintain steady Thiourea production focused on high-purity applications such as pharmaceutical intermediates and electronics. These countries prioritize advanced synthesis processes and export high-grade Thiourea for specialized use, particularly in the European and North American markets.
In Europe, Thiourea production is more limited but continues to meet domestic demand for industrial and laboratory uses. Germany and France are the most active producers, focusing on value-added and high-purity derivatives. However, environmental regulations in the European Union have made it more expensive to produce Thiourea at scale. As a result, many European producers are transitioning to sustainable synthesis routes to remain competitive.
North America, particularly the United States, produces relatively small volumes of Thiourea. Most of the demand is met through imports. However, with rising consumption in mining and laboratory testing, some U.S.-based specialty chemical firms have begun pilot-scale production projects. The trend indicates a gradual shift towards self-reliance, though full-scale commercial production remains limited in 2025.
Latin America has begun investing in Thiourea production, particularly in Brazil and Argentina. The agricultural sector’s increasing need for fungicides and nitrogen-based chemicals has driven interest in domestic production. In Brazil, state-supported chemical clusters are exploring the potential for Thiourea manufacturing using local feedstock and optimized synthesis pathways.
Africa, primarily a consumption hub for Thiourea in mining sectors, especially in South Africa and Ghana, still lacks significant domestic production. Most Thiourea requirements are met through imports from Asia. However, plans are underway in countries like Morocco and Egypt to explore local production possibilities, supported by international investors interested in establishing regional supply chains.
Middle East countries have recently shown interest in Thiourea production due to its growing use in the textile and leather industries. While not yet major producers, nations like Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates are investing in chemical industrial parks that may include Thiourea facilities in the near future.
In summary, the Thiourea production landscape in 2025 is shaped by a mix of legacy producers in Asia, niche producers in Europe, emerging players in Latin America, and new interest in Africa and the Middle East. The global supply chain is becoming more diversified, reducing overreliance on any single region and offering opportunities for localized production and distribution.
Thiourea Market Segmentation
The Thiourea market is segmented based on several critical criteria including application, end-use industry, grade, and geographical region. These segments help define how the product is utilized across various sectors and provide a clearer understanding of market behavior and growth trends.
Key Market Segments:
- Application
- Gold leaching
- Fertilizers
- Photographic chemicals
- Textile processing
- Pharmaceutical synthesis
- Laboratory reagents
- Electronics
- End-Use Industry
- Mining
- Agriculture
- Chemical processing
- Pharmaceuticals
- Electronics and semiconductors
- Academic and research laboratories
- Grade
- Industrial grade
- Technical grade
- High-purity grade
- Geography
- Asia-Pacific
- Europe
- North America
- Latin America
- Middle East and Africa
Among these, application-based segmentation is the most significant as it directly correlates with demand volume and pricing behavior.
Gold leaching represents the largest application segment globally. Thiourea has increasingly replaced cyanide in environmentally sensitive gold extraction processes. This has especially driven demand in Africa, South America, and parts of Central Asia where artisanal and industrial mining rely heavily on Thiourea. This segment is expected to grow steadily through 2025 due to global efforts to adopt safer extraction chemicals.
The fertilizer segment is another major driver, particularly in emerging economies where Thiourea is used to improve nitrogen efficiency in crop production. As sustainable agriculture becomes more prominent, Thiourea-based fertilizers are gaining popularity for their role in enhancing crop yields and reducing soil nutrient loss.
Photographic chemicals, once a dominant application, have declined in demand due to the shift to digital media. However, Thiourea still finds niche use in silver recovery and photo paper processing, especially in developing regions where analog photography is still practiced.
In the textile processing sector, Thiourea is used as a reducing agent in dyeing and printing applications. This segment remains important in Asia-Pacific, where countries like Bangladesh, Vietnam, and India have large textile industries that require chemical inputs at scale.
Pharmaceutical and laboratory applications form a growing segment, especially for high-purity Thiourea. It is used in the synthesis of drugs and research compounds, and the demand is increasing in research institutions and hospitals across North America, Europe, and Japan.
Electronics and semiconductor applications represent an emerging segment where ultra-pure Thiourea is used in surface treatment and specialty chemical formulations. As chip fabrication and microelectronic assembly gain momentum globally, this segment is projected to see high-value growth, albeit in smaller volumes compared to mining and agriculture.
From the end-use industry perspective, mining remains the largest sector by volume, followed closely by agriculture. Chemical processing industries also contribute significantly to overall demand, particularly for intermediate manufacturing.
Grade-based segmentation shows growing demand for high-purity and technical-grade Thiourea, especially in pharmaceutical, laboratory, and electronics applications. Industrial-grade Thiourea dominates in volume, especially in mining and fertilizers, where purity requirements are less stringent.
Geographically, Asia-Pacific leads across almost all segments, not only due to production dominance but also because of high internal consumption in agriculture and manufacturing. Latin America and Africa, driven by gold mining and crop production, are also showing high growth potential. Europe and North America focus more on high-purity applications and research-driven consumption.
In conclusion, Thiourea market segmentation reveals a diverse range of applications and customer bases. While traditional uses like mining and fertilizers continue to dominate, newer segments such as pharmaceuticals and electronics are gaining traction, offering future growth avenues for manufacturers and suppliers. Understanding these segments allows stakeholders to better target their offerings and optimize supply chain strategies based on regional and sector-specific demand trends.