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.
India’s sulphur export halt to trim availability
India’s sulphur export halt to trim availability
Singapore, 28 July (Argus) — India's suspension of sulphur exports will further reduce availability in the seaborne sulphur market, although the impact is unlikely to be substantial because export activity has already slowed from April. No official documents have been released on India's sulphur export restrictions , but market participants widely understand that Indian refiners will be unable to export sulphur until further notice. Discussion of a potential export suspension first emerged in April , when a meeting was convened with major industry players after the Gujarat Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GCCI) called on the chemicals and fertilizers ministry to impose a minimum six-month ban on exports of elemental sulphur. The GCCI cited tightening supply, rising prices and the risk of disruption to fertilizer production. The export suspension is expected to primarily affect private-sector refiner Reliance Industries (RIL), India's main sulphur exporter, with cargoes typically loading from Bedi port on the country's west coast. India exported 356,900t of sulphur in January-April, according to Global Trade Tracker (GTT) data. No cargoes were shipped in May because refiners had already began to prioritise supply to domestic contract customers. Exports were mainly directed to China and Brazil, which received 142,900t and 110,000t, respectively, while the remaining volumes were shipped to Indonesia. The loss of Indian exports comes on the back of an already severely constrained global sulphur market, owing to the de-facto closure of the strait of Hormuz. India is heavily reliant on imported sulphur for fertilizer production. The country imported 2.25mn t of sulphur in 2025, with around 84pc sourced from the Middle East. Imports fell by 26pc on the year to 698,200t in January-May due to the outbreak of the US-Iran war. Concerns are also growing among sulphuric acid exporters that the government could extend export restrictions to sulphuric acid, but no official notice or proposal has been reported. By Deon Ngee Send comments and request more information at feedback@argusmedia.com Copyright © 2026. Argus Media group . All rights reserved.
New tariffs to exclude Canadian fertilizers
New tariffs to exclude Canadian fertilizers
Houston, 22 July (Argus) — Potash and other fertilizers will be exempt from new import tariffs imposed on Canadian products this week. US president Donald Trump on 20 July signed three new orders under the Section 338 of the Tariff Act of 1930 to add a 50pc import tariff on certain Canadian goods . The new tariff will apply to a range of products, including some goods covered under the US-Mexico-Canada (USMCA) trade agreement. Fertilizer products such as potash, sulfur, and sulfuric acid were not included in the orders' list of tariffed items. The Trump administration said it seeks to revise the USMCA, which was negotiated during Trump's first term. The US Trade Representative's office on 1 July decided against renewing the deal in its current form , meaning the three countries will have to hold annual reviews and seek a consensus on a long-term extension beyond 2036. The new Section 338 tariffs will be applied beginning 19 August, 30 days after its signing. By Benedetta Tommaselli Send comments and request more information at feedback@argusmedia.com Copyright © 2026. Argus Media group . All rights reserved.
Tampa 3Q liquid sulphur price hits record $705/lt
Tampa 3Q liquid sulphur price hits record $705/lt
London, 13 July (Argus) — Third-quarter contract prices for molten sulphur deliveries into Tampa, Florida, have been settled at a record high of $705/long tonne (lt) delivered, up by $50/lt from the $655/lt settled for the prior quarter. The 8pc rise sets a new record after the second-quarter agreement had already surpassed the previous peak from 2008. Spot export shipments have capitalised on the lack of sulphur flows out of the Middle East, with prices well above the contract level. The latest assessment for spot exports from US Gulf refineries stood at $1,100-1,150/t fob on 9 July. US Gulf shipments reached unusual markets during the second quarter, including north Africa for fertiliser production and east Africa for copper belt consumers, as Middle East export flows dwindled. The moderate contract range is thought to reflect affordability concerns for the downstream fertiliser market, where phosphate fertiliser demand has weakened because of high prices. This is part of a wider global trend, as higher costs have driven discounts for domestic sulphur consumers in many regions to secure fertiliser production. Additionally, some sulphur producers in the US Gulf lack infrastructure to export solid sulphur, leaving them dependent on domestic liquid sulphur consumers and concerned about potential demand destruction causing storage tanks to fill at production sites. By Maria Mosquera Send comments and request more information at feedback@argusmedia.com Copyright © 2026. Argus Media group . All rights reserved.
South Korean Young Poong's zinc smelter catches fire
South Korean Young Poong's zinc smelter catches fire
Singapore, 9 July (Argus) — A fire broke out at South Korean conglomerate Young Poong's 728,000t/yr Seokpo zinc smelter in North Gyeongsang province at around 12:36 local time (03:36 GMT) today, according to local media and market participants. The fire is understood to have started within the smelter and prompted a level one response from local fire authorities because of concerns over a potential release of hazardous gases. Firefighters have been deployed to evacuate nearby residents and conduct search operations. The cause of the fire is yet to be determined, market sources said. Young Poong supplies most of its sulphuric acid volumes to the domestic market, with an estimated 200,000t/yr exported through the Donghae port, largely under term contracts with traders. Any disruption to sulphuric acid production would likely impact domestic availability. The company did not respond to a request for comment at the time of publishing. By Deon Ngee Send comments and request more information at feedback@argusmedia.com Copyright © 2026. Argus Media group . All rights reserved.
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