A by-product, not a mined commodity.
Almost all traded sulphur is recovered when refineries and gas plants remove it from oil and gas. Supply therefore follows refinery and gas output, not sulphur demand. The Middle East and Central Asia are the largest exporting regions; Canada and Russia are other major sources.
Because producers cannot simply turn output down, prices can move sharply when demand changes or when shipping routes are disrupted.
Where it goes
Most sulphur is burned to make sulphuric acid.
Phosphate fertilisers
The largest single use, through sulphuric acid for phosphoric acid.
Leaching
Acid for nickel, copper and uranium processing.
Industrial chemicals
Acid, CS₂, detergents and pulp.
Sulphur fertilisers
Elemental and sulphate fertilisers for sulphur-deficient soils.
What sets the price
Published monthly prices
Major producers announce monthly prices; spot is reported by price agencies.
Route and vessel size
Freight can be a large share of the delivered price.
Fertiliser season
Phosphate demand and plant run-rates in China, India and Morocco.
Routes & restrictions
Shipping disruptions and export restrictions shift supply quickly.
We quote live prices in each written offer; this page does not publish prices because they change week to week.
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