The total stratospheric inorganic bromine burden (Bry) was derived from balloon‐borne bromine monoxide (BrO) observations performed with the LPMA/DOAS (Limb Profile Monitor of the Atmosphere/Differential Optical Absorption Spectroscopy) balloon payload in the last ten years. The measurements show that significantly more ozone‐depleting bromine ((4.1or 4.3 ± 2.5) ppt) reaches the stratosphere than the atmospheric transport of the major stratospheric bromine source gases, methyl bromide (CH3Br) and all halons can account for. The major contributors to this discrepancy are varying amounts of bromine tied in inorganic gases, particulate matter and very short‐lived substances (VSLS) of natural origin. Despite the significant contribution of stratospheric bromine from natural processes, international protocols introduced to limit the production of brominated gases have been effective by slowing down the overall growth of Bry.