Sulphur and Sulphuric acid
Overview
The global sulphur market has gone through fundamental changes in buying patterns, trade routes and pricing over the past few years. Fixed price contracts and formula-based indexation have become the dominant ways in which supplies are bought and sold around the world, which makes accurate price assessments and detailed analysis key to any sulphur market participants.
The global sulphuric acid industry has seen structural change in recent years and new capacities will continue to challenge the balance in the years to come. While demand will be driven by fertilizers — predominantly the increased production of phosphate and ammonium sulphates — the market will continue to be exposed to short-term supply shocks, especially from the metals sector.
Rising demand for battery materials such as nickel and cobalt (due to growing electric vehicle production) will in turn bolster demand for sulphur and sulphuric acid, increase competition for supply and impact pricing.
Our extensive market coverage includes formed sulphur (both granular and prilled), crushed lump sulphur, molten/liquid sulphur and sulphuric acid. Argus has decades of experience covering these markets, and incorporate our multi-commodity market expertise in key areas including phosphates and metals to provide the full market narrative.
Argus support market participants with:
- Price assessments (daily and weekly for sulphur, weekly for sulphuric acid), proprietary data and market commentary assessments
- Short and medium to long-term forecasting, modelling and analysis of sulphur and sulphuric acid prices, supply, demand, trade and projects
- Bespoke consulting project support
Latest sulphur and sulphuric acid news
Browse the latest market moving news on the global sulphur and sulphuric acid industry.
Tupras' latest sulphur award prices slow to build
Tupras' latest sulphur award prices slow to build
London, 25 June (Argus) — Turkish refiner Tupras has awarded its latest July domestic sulphur e-tender in full at $650-804/t fca for various lot sizes. Prices overall are up by $17/t on average compared with its last tender awarded on 21 May, which ranged from $690-730/t fca. Tupras awarded product for its Izmir and Kirikkale refineries on 23 June as follows: From Izmir — lots ranging from 150-800t totalling 4,400t at $728-737/t fca. Tupras initially set a floor price at $925/t fca, which was cut to $625/t fca before competitive bidding ensued. From Kirikkale — lots ranging from 250-750t totalling 2,850t at $650-652/t fca. Tupras' floor price for these lots was also $925/t fca, which was reduced to $778/t fca and finally to $625/t fca before competitive bids started. Tupras additionally awarded product from its Izmit refinery late on 24 June for lots ranging from 100-1,400t at $796-804/t fca. Tupras set a floor price originally at $925/t fca, reducing it to $775/t fca and to $625/t fca before competitive bidding began. By Fenella Rhodes Send comments and request more information at feedback@argusmedia.com Copyright © 2026. Argus Media group . All rights reserved.
Several sulphur vessels exit Hormuz after peace deal
Several sulphur vessels exit Hormuz after peace deal
London, 22 June (Argus) — Several sulphur vessels have transited the strait of Hormuz since the signing of the peace deal between the US and Iran last week. The Espada X dwt 88,300 loaded at Ruwais, UAE, and has an estimated time of arrival (ETA) of 18 July at Jorf Lasfar, Morocco. MV Toro dwt 55,000 loaded in Ruwais, UAE, and has an ETA of 28 June in Aqaba, Jordan. The Yan Dang Shan dwt 63,300 loaded in Ruwais, UAE, and is sailing towards Indonesia. The Xin Qi Men dwt 81,600 loaded sulphur at Ruwais, UAE, and is headed for China. These vessels follow earlier three transits identified as having exited the strait a week ago: The Nejat dwt 38,000 for Bahodopi, Indonesia, loaded in Ras Laffan, Qatar. Two vessels for Dar Es Salaam, Tanzania; the Abu Al Abyad dwt 57,000 from Ruwais, UAE,and the Safeen Al Nasr dwt 36,600 loaded in Al Zour, Kuwait. These deliveries are all believed to be contract shipments or earlier sales. With some vessels having been able to sail, approximately 500,000t of sulphur in still believed to remain loaded onto ships in the strait, much of it committed under earlier contracts. Some vessel operators were left confused on the status of the strait, with some attempting to exit on 17 and 18 June, only to be forced to turn back due to a lack of permission. Confusion remains over the status, and many consider crossing to be too big of a risk in the current, volatile situation. Since the start of the conflict 28 February, an estimated 480,000t-500,000t of sulphur has managed to exit the strait of Hormuz at a slow pace up until mid-June. This is around 10pc of the usual rate of sulphur exports from the region. By Maria Mosquera Send comments and request more information at feedback@argusmedia.com Copyright © 2026. Argus Media group . All rights reserved.
Brazil's sulphur imports hit 21-year low in May
Brazil's sulphur imports hit 21-year low in May
Sao Paulo, 8 June (Argus) — Brazil imported 59,090 metric tonnes (t) of sulphur in May, a 72pc drop from a year earlier and the lowest level since 2005 as global availability is tight and prices are historically high, according to the Global Trade Tracker (GTT) latest data. Turkmenistan was the main supplier in the month, sending 53.5pc of the total, or 31,600t. The US followed with 34pc, or 20,095t. Turkey supplied 10pc, or around 5,950t. Availability has been tight in the global market since last year, redefining trade flows and pushing prices upwards. The war in the Middle East has also furthered the tight availability. Brazil imported 630,090t of sulphur in January-May, a near 46pc drop from a year before and the lowest level since 2009, when Brazil imported almost 544,920t. Kazakhstan was the main supplier, accounting for 39pc of the total, or 247,555t. The US was the second largest supplier with 22pc the total, or 137,740t. Turkmenistan followed with 14pc of the total, or 89,600t. India sent 8.8pc of the total, or 55,320t. Sulphuric acid imports up in May Sulphuric acid imports more than doubled in May from the same month last year to 79,790t, the highest volume since 2022, GTT data show. Spain was the main supplier in the month, accounting for 35pc, or 27,960t, of the total volume. Finland sent 25pc, or 19,800t. Italy followed with 24pc, or 19,350t. South Korea sent 15pc of the total, reaching 11,780t. Brazil imported 323,005t in January-May, a 69pc increase from the same period a year earlier. Brazil's main supplier in the period was Belgium, accounting for almost 33pc of the total, or 105,590t. Spain sent 22.5pc of the total, or almost 73,015t. Italy followed with approximately 18pc, or 57,065t. Finland sent around 16.5pc, or 53,040t. Turkey accounted for 5.8pc, or 18,700t. By Gisele Augusto Send comments and request more information at feedback@argusmedia.com Copyright © 2026. Argus Media group . All rights reserved.
Abu Dhabi's Adnoc raises Jun sulphur price by $100/t
Abu Dhabi's Adnoc raises Jun sulphur price by $100/t
London, 5 June (Argus) — Abu Dhabi's state-owned Adnoc has set its June sulphur official selling price (OSP) for the Indian subcontinent at $860/t fob Ruwais, up by $100/t from its May OSP. This is the highest level for the OSP, according to Argus records, $40-60/t above the previous record reached in June-August 2008, when the OSP hit $800-820/t fob. Adnoc's June OSP implies a delivered price of $1,000-1,002/t cfr India, with the freight cost for a 40,000-45,000t shipment to the east coast of India, last assessed at $140-142/t on Thursday. Additional costs such as insurance premiums on top of higher bunker costs elevate delivered price levels further. By Maria Mosquera Send comments and request more information at feedback@argusmedia.com Copyright © 2026. Argus Media group . All rights reserved.
Argus Fertilizer Market Highlights
The complimentary Argus Fertilizer Market Highlights package includes:
• Bi-weekly Fertilizer Newsletter
• Monthly Market Update Video
• Bi-monthly Fertilizer Focus Magazine
Spotlight content
Browse the latest thought leadership produced by our global team of experts.
