Previous Year Question
Which of the following countries is the leading producer of iodine in the world?
Japan
U.S.A.
Chile
China
Correct Answer: C
Detailed Solution
The correct answer is Chile.
According to World Mineral Production 2013–2017, Chile was the world's largest producer of iodine.
In 2017, the approximate shares in global iodine production were—
Chile — 60%
Japan — 30%
U.S.A. — about 4%
In Chile, iodine is produced mainly from caliche ore and nitrate deposits found in the northern Atacama Desert region.
During the processing of caliche ore for nitrate compounds, iodine-bearing solutions are obtained, from which iodine is subsequently recovered.
Japan is also a major iodine producer, but there iodine is obtained mainly from iodine-rich underground brines, particularly brines associated with natural gas fields.
Current Status
According to the USGS Mineral Commodity Summaries 2026, Chile remained the world's largest iodine producer in 2025 with about 23,000 tonnes, while Japan produced about 9,000 tonnes and ranked second.
According to USGS, excluding United States production, Chile accounted for roughly two-thirds of reported global iodine production.