World helium prices spike as Iran conflict disrupts Qatar processing

Helium prices are surging after the Iran conflict disrupted Qatar’s natural-gas processing, exposing the fragility of a market that supplies industries from semiconductor manufacturing to medical imaging.

Qatar produces roughly one-third of the world’s helium, and the shutdown of some gas facilities and shipping routes has sharply reduced supply.

Spot helium prices have roughly doubled as buyers scramble to secure shipments, Reuters reports.

Qatari Energy Minister Saad al-Kaabi told the Financial Times last week that it would take “weeks to months” for deliveries to return ​to ​normal.