Company: SQM
Filing Date: 2025-04-24
Form Type: 20-F
Source: 0000909037-25-000020
Chunk: 3

Company: CHEMICAL & MINING CO OF CHILE INC
Filing Date: 2025-04-24
Form: 20-F
Item: Item 3
Chunk 3
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 adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.
Our sales could be impacted by global shipping constraints
We sell our products in more than 100 countries in the world. Our products are shipped in containers or break bulk format
from the port terminals in Antofagasta, Tocopilla, Mejillones and Iquique in Chile, and Bunbury in Australia. The challenges in the global shipping industry in the recent years have led to congestion in ports, a shortage in containers, and a lack of space on ships. Because of this situation, we face a risk of potential supply chain disruptions that may adversely affect our operations and ability to deliver our products to our customers. Depending on the terms of shipments to customers, the risk of loss related to these shipping issues could fall on us. Additionally, our revenues and collections may also be adversely affected by significant increases in the cost of transportation, as a result of increases in fuel or labor costs, higher demand for logistics services, or otherwise, and transportation delays that could have a negative impact on our sales agreements and customer relationships.
Our sales to emerging markets and expansion strategy expose us to risks related to economic conditions and trends in those countries.
We sell our products in more than 100 countries around the world, many of which are emerging markets. We anticipate expanding our sales in these and other emerging markets in the future. In addition, we may enter into acquisitions or joint ventures in jurisdictions in which we do not currently operate in connection with any of our businesses or new businesses in which we believe we may have sustainable competitive advantages. The results of our operations and our prospects in other countries where we operate will depend, in part, on the general level of political stability, economic activity and policies in those countries, as well as the duration of outbreaks of infections or communicable diseases or other pandemics. Future developments in the political systems or economies of these countries, or the implementation of future governmental policies in those countries, including the imposition of withholding and other taxes, restrictions on the payment of dividends or the repatriation of capital, the imposition of import tariffs or other restrictions, the imposition of new environmental regulations or price controls, or changes in relevant laws or regulations, could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations in those countries.
Our inventory levels may vary for economic or operational reasons.
In general, economic conditions or operational factors can affect our inventory levels. Higher inventories carry a financial risk due to increased need for cash to fund working capital and could imply an increased