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.
Zambia announces sulphuric acid export controls
Zambia announces sulphuric acid export controls
London, 1 April (Argus) — Zambia has introduced sulphuric acid export controls to protect domestic industries. The commerce, trade and industry ministry introduced a permit system on 27 March to manage sulphuric acid exports after prices in neighboring Democratic Republic of Congo surged. The ministry says the permits will address "a critical market imbalance" in sulphuric acid availability and protect Zambian downstream industries that use the acid as an input. Sulphur and sulphuric acid prices in the region have risen sharply since the effective closure of the strait of Hormuz, with DRC buyers paying the highest prices. Prices for acid were indicated at around $330/t ex-works in Zambia this week, but at least $550/t ex-works in the DRC. Mining companies are scrambling to secure sulphuric acid to remain operational, pushing up prices. Zambia enforced a ban on sulphuric acid exports at the start of September 2025 for several weeks, with certain companies transporting sulphuric acid from South Africa through Zambia to supply the DRC, incurring significant transport costs. Given the near-doubling of diesel prices and signs of shortages this trade is now likely to be even more challenging. The permit system may also be an attempt to keep trucks in Zambia, where they will use fuel for domestic deliveries, market participants said. By Fenella Rhodes Send comments and request more information at feedback@argusmedia.com Copyright © 2026. Argus Media group . All rights reserved.
QatarEnergy raises April sulphur price by $50/t
QatarEnergy raises April sulphur price by $50/t
London, 1 April (Argus) — State-owned QatarEnergy Marketing has raised its April Qatar Sulphur Price (QSP) to $570/t fob Ras Laffan/Mesaieed. This marks a record high for the QSP since Argus records began in 2013, with the current level $80/t above the previous high of $490/t fob in August 2022. The UAE's monthly sulphur price, or official selling price (OSP), which has a longer history, reached a record high of $820/t fob in July 2008. The OSP was set yesterday at $600/t fob for April. With current freight rates last assessed on 26 March at $56-62/t for a 30,000-35,000t shipment to Chinese ports implies a delivered cost of $626-632/t cfr, with additional insurance premiums raising prices further on delivered basis to cover costs. Some estimate these costs to account for an additional $20/t at minimum, bringing total costs to $646-652/t cfr. This follows the sulphur supply crunch from the region after the onset of the conflict, with sulphur shipments mostly still left stranded by the effective closure of the strait of Hormuz, with no clear timeline for product deliveries to resume. By Maria Mosquera Send comments and request more information at feedback@argusmedia.com Copyright © 2026. Argus Media group . All rights reserved.
Lanxess raises sulphur-based product prices by 40pc
Lanxess raises sulphur-based product prices by 40pc
London, 31 March (Argus) — German chemical manufacturer Lanxess is raising its prices for sulphur-based products from its Industrial Intermediates business unit by an average of 40pc. The increase will take immediate effect and affect products such as ultra pure sulphuric acid, alongside other inorganic acids supplied to semi-conductor, lithium batteries and agrochemicals, among other applications. The company cites geopolitical tensions for the higher prices, alongside higher costs for logistics and energy. By Maria Mosquera Send comments and request more information at feedback@argusmedia.com Copyright © 2026. Argus Media group . All rights reserved.
Abu Dhabi's Adnoc raises Apr sulphur price by $70/t
Abu Dhabi's Adnoc raises Apr sulphur price by $70/t
London, 31 March (Argus) — Abu Dhabi's state-owned Adnoc has set its April sulphur official selling price (OSP) for the Indian subcontinent at $600/t fob Ruwais, up by $70/t from its March OSP. Much of the Middle East's export supply has been shut in by the effective closure of the strait of Hormuz since the start of the regional war on 28 February, accounting for almost 50pc of global seaborne sulphur movements. This has raised delivered prices significantly in the past few weeks, and while spot trading is thin amid a lack of availability, some buyers are willing to pay higher prices to secure limited supply. This applies particularly to metals industry consumers with more margin at current prices compared with fertilizer producers. Adnoc's April OSP implies a delivered price of $636-638/t cfr India, with the freight cost for a 40,000-45,000t shipment to the east coast of India last assessed at $36-38/t on 26 March. Additional costs such as insurance premiums on top of higher bunker costs elevate delivered price levels further in addition to lower product availability. Freight costs have risen by 118pc since the onset of the conflict from $16-18/t on 26 February, excluding insurance cost increases. While Middle East sulphur supply is at the moment subject to higher insurance costs and delivery times are uncertain, some buyers are still willing to book from the region to ensure raw material supply moving forward, with the current tightness expected to persist even after the conflict is resolved because of damage to some production sites and the increasing shipment delays on earlier sales. By Maria Mosquera Send comments and request more information at feedback@argusmedia.com Copyright © 2026. Argus Media group . All rights reserved.
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