The price of sulfur in the United States reached approximately *** U.S. dollars per metric ton in 2023. Compared to the previous year, that was a significant decrease in price. The United States is one of the largest producers of sulfur in the world.

During the first quarter of 2025, the sulphur market in North America witnessed bullishness. This sustained uptrend was driven by a complex interplay of supply constraints, logistical disruptions, and strong downstream demand. In January 2025, the U.S. sulphur market began the year with strong bullish sentiment. This was primarily driven by tight inventories, high import costs, and severe winter disruptions from Canada, which delayed deliveries and strained the supply chain.

Get the latest insights on price movement and trend analysis of Sulphur in different regions across the world (Asia, Europe, North America, Latin America, and the Middle East Africa).

In September 2022, the sulphur price amounted to $129 per ton (CIF, China), dropping by -62.5% against the previous month.

In July 2022, the sulphur price stood at $1,838 per ton (FOB, India), growing by 11% against the previous month.

The Sulfur Market report segments the industry into Form (Solid, Liquid), Technology (Finishing Process) (Granules, Pastilles, Prilling), End-User Industry (Fertilizer, Chemical Processing, Metal Manufacturing, Rubber Processing, Other End-user Industries), and Geography (Asia-Pacific, North America, Europe, South America, Middle-East and Africa). The report includes five years of historical data and five-year market forecasts.

In January 2023, the sulphur price amounted to $139 per ton (FOB, Canada), dropping by -6.9% against the previous month.

According to Cognitive Market Research, the global Granular Sulfur market size will be USD 22541.6 million in 2024. It will expand at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 10.60% from 2024 to 2031.

North America held the major market share for more than 40% of the global revenue with a market size of USD 9016.6 million in 2024 and will grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 8.8% from 2024 to 2031.
Europe accounted for a market share of over 30% of the global revenue with a market size of USD 6762.4 million.
Asia Pacific held a market share of around 23% of the global revenue with a market size of USD 5184.5 million in 2024 and will grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 12.6% from 2024 to 2031.
Latin America had a market share of more than 5% of the global revenue with a market size of USD 1127.0 million in 2024 and will grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 10.0% from 2024 to 2031.
Middle East and Africa had a market share of around 2% of the global revenue and was estimated at a market size of USD 450.8 million in 2024 and will grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 10.3% from 2024 to 2031.
The Food Grade Type held the highest Granular Sulfur market revenue share in 2024.

Market Dynamics of Granular Sulfur Market

Key Drivers for Granular Sulfur Market

Increasing Demand for Fertilizers to Increase the Demand Globally: Granular sulfur is a vital component in the production of fertilizers, especially sulfur-containing types such as ammonium sulfate and single superphosphate. These fertilizers play a crucial role in crop nutrition, improving soil fertility, and boosting agricultural yields. Plants require significant amounts of nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, sulfur, calcium, and magnesium. Nutrients are lost from the soil due to crop removal, erosion, leaching, soil fixation, and other factors. This is particularly important during the early stages of plant development for producing essential amino acids, proteins, and oils. Sulfur's most critical role in crop production is aiding in forming protein molecules and amino acids, which are necessary for producing chlorophyll, lignin, and pectin. It supports photosynthesis, the process by which plants convert sunlight into chemical energy. Agricultural fertilizer production accounts for about 54% of all recovered sulfur produced globally. Between September 2021 and April 2022, anhydrous ammonia prices in the United States more than doubled, reaching a record-high $1,300 per ton. According to the world fertilizer outlook, the demand for phosphorus (P2O5) fertilizer was estimated at 47,402 thousand tons in 2020 and is expected to reach 49,096 thousand tons in 2022.

Growing petrochemical industry to Propel Market Growth: Granular sulfur is utilized in various chemical processes, particularly in producing sulfuric acid, a key raw material for many industrial applications. The growth of chemical industries, especially in developing regions, is fueling the demand for granular sulfur. In the petroleum refining sector, sulfur is produced as a byproduct of desulfurization processes. As the petrochemical industry expands, the availability of sulfur and its uses in producing rubber, detergents, and other chemicals have risen. In 2022, the United States set a record for petroleum product exports, increasing by 7% compared to 2021, as reported in the Petroleum Supply Monthly. U.S. petroleum product exports averaged 5.97 million barrels per day (b/d) in 2022, which is 405,000 b/d more than in 2021, largely due to an 18% increase (193,000 b/d) in distillate fuel oil exports.

Key Restraint Factor for the Granular Sulfur Market

Market Volatility and Competition from Alternative Products to Limit the Sales: The price of sulfur is closely linked to the petroleum industry, as sulfur is often a byproduct of oil refining. Fluctuations in crude oil prices can lead to volatility in sulfur prices, creating uncertainty in the market and impacting profitability for producers and consumers. The availability of alternative fertilizers, such as nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium-based fertilizers, can limit the demand for sulfur-based fertilizers. Innovations in alternative fertilizers and improved efficiency can reduce the reliance on sulfur. In industrial applications, alternative chemicals and materials can serve as substitutes for sulfur. For example, in the rubber industry, other vulcanizing agents can be use...

In November 2022, the sulphur price was recorded at $1,780 per ton (FOB, India), increasing by 1.7% compared to the preceding month.

In March 2024, the average monthly price of very low sulfur fuel oil (VLSFO) stood at ***** U.S. dollars per metric ton. The price of VLSFO is strongly influenced by external factors, such as the price of crude oil and market forces of supply and demand. In the past two years, two separate events have had a profound effect on the price of VLSFO: the International Maritime Organization (IMO) sulfur cap on fuel oil in 2020 and, more recently, the Russian invasion of Ukraine and the Israeli invasion of Gaza. Effects of the 2020 IMO sulfur cap In January 2020, a new limit on the sulfur content in fuel oil was introduced by the IMO. The goal of the cap was to reduce the concentration of sulfur in the air, thus reducing air pollution and preventing harm to marine ecosystems as well as protecting human health. Ship operators were forced to switch to VLSFO to comply with the new regulation, leading to a higher demand for VLSFO which in turn caused the price of VLSFO to increase to *** U.S. dollars per metric ton in January 2020. Shortly afterward, the world was hit with the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic. With production facilities shutting down worldwide, maritime transport considerably slowed, driving the price of VLSFO to a historic minimum of *** U.S. dollars per metric ton in April 2020. Escalating conflict in Ukraine could raise fuel prices After the Russian invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, most of the West reacted by imposing sanctions on Russia to weaken its economy. Although vital for the Russian economy, the Russian oil industry remained untargeted by direct sanctions during the first days of the invasion. However, sanctions cutting off Russia’s access to international financial markets and the SWIFT payment system, as well as divestments of Western oil companies from the Russian oil industry, could severely impact the country’s oil sector. In 2020, Russia was the third-largest producer of crude oil in the world, accounting for about ** percent of the world’s crude oil production. Disruptions to the Russian oil industry could, therefore, have consequences for the supply of oil to the global market and drive prices up. Since crude oil is the main component of VLSFO, an increase in the price of crude oil will most likely lead to a rise in the price of VLSFO.

In Q1 2025, the market sentiments for Liquid Sulphur Dioxide in North America reflected a unique tug-of-war between bullish feedstock dynamics and bearish downstream conditions, resulting in mixed yet cautiously optimistic trends. In January, bullish momentum in the sulphur market—driven by severe winter disruptions, high import costs, and tight inventories—elevated production costs for Liquid Sulphur Dioxide. However, downstream sulphuric acid demand remained subdued due to limited seasonal agricultural activity and buyer caution, tempering the price gains.

In June 2023, the Sulphur price was $104 per ton (FOB, Canada), representing a decrease of 8.2% compared to the previous month.

Graph and download economic data for Producer Price Index by Commodity: Chemicals and Allied Products: Sulfuric Acid (WPU0613020T1) from Jun 1987 to May 2025 about chemicals, commodities, PPI, inflation, price index, indexes, price, and USA.

The daily price of very low sulfur fuel oil (VLSFO) has been oscillating since the beginning of January 2022. On December 13, 2022, the price of VLSFO stood at 636 U.S. dollars per metric ton. With the onset of the Russia-Ukraine war, the price of bunker fuel has notably increased in 2022, before dropping again at the end of the year.

In February 2023, the sulphur price stood at $196 per ton (CIF, India), which is down by -5.5% against the previous month.

Background: Australia currently imports about 430 000 tons of elemental sulphur per year, valued at about $12,000,000 in 1966. The sulphur is purchased from Canada, the USA and Mexico. The annual production of elemental sulphur in these three... Background: Australia currently imports about 430 000 tons of elemental sulphur per year, valued at about $12,000,000 in 1966. The sulphur is purchased from Canada, the USA and Mexico. The annual production of elemental sulphur in these three countries has been exceeded by the demand for the last few years. Stockpiles are now virtually consumed, prices are rising, and purchasers are being rationed. Australia has substantial deposits of sulphur in the form of pyrites and gypsum. The major deposits of gypsum are in South Australia. Objective: The Australian Mineral Development Laboratories were requested to study methods of recovering sulphur from gypsum by conventional chemical processes. Estimates of the economic potential of these processes were to be made. Summary of Work Done: A literature search revealed two alternative processes, one having calcium sulphide as an intermediate product, the other having sulphur dioxide as an intermediate product. A computer programme was used to indicate the yields of these products for a range of reaction conditions. In general, the results verified the conditions reported in the references. As a fairly detailed reference described the manufacture of sulphur dioxide from gypsum, it was chosen as being the basis for a cost estimate. Attempts were made to produce calcium sulphide from gypsum in a small scale fluid bed reactor, but these were not successful. This process route remains feasible, however, although insufficient data are available to cost out the process. Cost estimates were prepared for a plant producing 100 000 tons of sulphur annually from gypsum via sulphur dioxide. The capital cost is estimated as $12,000,000 the production cost being about $45 per ton of sulphur. As this excludes charges for interest on capital borrowed, and return on capital, the process is uneconomic at the present market price of $45 per ton. The picture would alter immediately, however, if a new fuel source were to be found near the gypsum, as fuel accounts for $17 of the $45 ton manufacturing cost. Alternatively, the sale of by products would reduce the cost of production of sulphur. The by product from the calcium sulphide process would be calcium hydroxide or calcium carbonate, but most likely the latter. This would be formed as a slurry and is unsaleable. The by product from the sulphur dioxide process would be calcium oxide. This could be sold to the Australian building industry only at the expense of a large proportion of the existing line industry. It could also be used to precipitate magnesium hydroxide from sea water, with the objective of making magnesia. This again could not be sold in Australia, but as the world production of magnesite is over 9 million tons, it should be possible to find a market overseas. It is estimated that 125 000 tons of magnesia could be produced each year. Additional capital for this process would be about $1,500,000 and magnesia would cost about $34 per ton to produce (again excluding interest charges and return on capital). Prices for magnesia appear to vary from $40 to $90 depending on grade and quantity. The effect of selling lime to this process is to reduce the manufacturing cost of the sulphur from $45 to $34 per ton. Conclusions and Recommendations: The construction of a plant to manufacture sulphur from gypsum does not appear to be economically advisable at the present market price for sulphur of $45 per ton. The integration of such a plant with one producing magnesia from sea water appears economically sound. It is recommended that the next stage of this investigation should be the production of a detailed process flowsheet for such an integrated plant. This should be followed by the procurement of budget quotations from equipment manufacturers, after which a more detailed cost estimate can be prepared. A survey of magnesia markets, both domestic and export, would be required also to complete the picture and permit a reliable assessment of the overall proposal.

This statistic displays the potential global supply of sulfur fertilizer from 2014 to 2020. In 2014, the potential supply of sulfur fertilizers was expected to reach some ***** million metric tons. Increasing crop prices lead to increased fertilizer demands and has been especially noted in recent years in South Asia. Favorable weather also increases demand for fertilizers in major agricultural regions.

Get the latest insights on price movement and trend analysis of Sulfuric Acid in different regions across the world (Asia, Europe, North America, Latin America, and the Middle East Africa).

France Petroleum and Refiner Price: Rotterdam Heavy Fuel Oil, 1% Sulphur data was reported at 494.100 USD/Ton in Oct 2018. This records an increase from the previous number of 457.900 USD/Ton for Sep 2018. France Petroleum and Refiner Price: Rotterdam Heavy Fuel Oil, 1% Sulphur data is updated monthly, averaging 168.700 USD/Ton from Jan 1990 (Median) to Oct 2018, with 346 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 738.000 USD/Ton in Mar 2012 and a record low of 55.700 USD/Ton in Dec 1998. France Petroleum and Refiner Price: Rotterdam Heavy Fuel Oil, 1% Sulphur data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by French National Institute for Statistics and Economic Studies. The data is categorized under Global Database’s France – Table FR.P006: Petroleum and Refiner Price.

In February 2023, the sulphur price stood at $216 per ton (CIF, Brazil), picking up by 19% against the previous month.