Sulphur Market Update: Prices, Freight and Product Types

The sulphur market overview

Sulphur market is currently stable to firm, supported by steady industrial demand and active international trade. Buyers continue to secure material at higher price levels compared with previous weeks, indicating balanced supply conditions and limited pressure on sellers.

This sulphur market update reflects real trade activity rather than speculative movements. Price direction is mainly driven by delivered cargoes into Asia, while export availability for prompt shipment remains largely committed.

Understanding sulphur market trends helps buyers manage procurement risks and plan shipments more efficiently.

Sulphur prices and CFR levels

Granular sulphur Price delivered into major Asian destinations is currently trading in the range of USD 535–540 per metric ton CFR, showing stable performance with no significant daily correction.

In Southeast Asia, recent spot deals and tenders have been concluded at USD 548–551 per metric ton CFR, with several cargoes reported in the low-to-mid USD 550s CFR range for February and March shipment windows.

Export prices from Middle Eastern producers remain firm at USD 530–535 per metric ton FOB, supported by confirmed loading schedules, limited spot availability and steady regional demand.

Granular sulphur (also spelled sulfur in US markets) continues to dominate international trade due to easier handling and consistent quality.

Weekly sulphur spot prices

Latest weekly sulphur spot price assessments indicate firm pricing across key global trade routes:

FOB Vancouver: USD 500–515 per ton
FOB US West Coast: USD 505–512 per ton
FOB Middle East: USD 522–527 per ton
FOB Black Sea (lump and granular): USD 440–460 per ton
CFR China (granular): USD 535–540 per ton
CFR Indonesia: USD 548–551 per ton
CFR India (granular): USD 542–544 per ton
CFR Brazil: USD 540–550 per ton
CFR North Africa (granular): USD 515–520 per ton

These sulphur market prices show that freight costs and shipment size play a major role in determining final delivered values.

Sulphur freight rates and logistics

Freight costs remain one of the most important pricing components in the international sulphur market, especially for long-distance shipments.

Current bulk freight indications include:

Middle East to Indonesia (30–35 kt): USD 21–24 per ton
Middle East to Indonesia (50–55 kt): USD 18–19 per ton
Middle East to China (30–35 kt): USD 22–24 per ton
Middle East to North Africa (30–35 kt): USD 40–47 per ton
Black Sea to North Africa (30–35 kt): USD 35–40 per ton
Baltic to Brazil (30–35 kt): USD 45–47 per ton
US Gulf to Brazil (35–40 kt): USD 26–29 per ton

Higher freight rates to Africa and Latin America continue to support CFR prices and limit buyer pressure in the sulphur market.

Granular vs lump sulphur explained

Granular sulphur

Granular sulphur consists of small, uniform pellets produced through controlled solidification processes. It is the most widely traded form in the global sulphur market.

Key advantages of granular sulphur include:

Uniform particle size
Better flowability during loading and discharge
Lower handling losses
Reduced dust generation
Easier storage and transport

Granular sulphur is commonly used in fertilizer production, chemical processing and industrial blending. From a logistics and operational perspective, it is often preferred even when priced slightly higher than lump material.

Lump sulphur

Lump sulphur consists of larger, irregular solid pieces. It is mainly selected for cost-sensitive applications or operations with on-site crushing or melting facilities.

Typical characteristics of lump sulphur include:

Lower initial material cost
Less uniform particle size
Higher breakage risk during transport
Increased dust during handling

While lump sulphur can be suitable for certain buyers, handling efficiency and total landed cost should be carefully evaluated rather than focusing only on FOB price.

Choosing the right sulphur type

Choosing between granular and lump sulphur depends on several factors:

End-use application
Handling and storage facilities
Port infrastructure
Total landed cost, including freight and handling losses

Buyers focused on efficiency and stable processing usually prefer granular sulphur. Buyers prioritizing lower upfront cost and flexible processing may still select lump sulphur.

Demand trends in the sulphur market

Demand remains healthy across fertilizer, chemical and metals-related industries. Large buyers continue to secure volumes through tenders and fixed-price agreements, covering both near-term and forward delivery periods.

In China, domestic sulphur prices are stable at CNY 4,360–4,365 per ton ex-works, while port inventories remain close to 1.88 million tons, indicating balanced supply and steady downstream consumption.

Sulphur market outlook

The short-term sulphur market outlook remains stable to firm. Most export volumes are already allocated under contracts, leaving limited flexibility in the spot market.

Any disruption in logistics or further increase in freight rates could tighten availability and support sulphur market prices further.

Frequently asked questions about the sulphur market

What is driving current sulphur market prices?

Current sulphur market prices are mainly driven by freight costs, shipment availability and steady industrial demand.

Is granular sulphur better than lump sulphur?

Granular sulphur is generally preferred for international trade due to better handling and lower operational losses, while lump sulphur suits cost-sensitive or on-site processing applications.