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China - Sulphur - Market Analysis, Forecast, Size, Trends and Insights
Report Update: May 1, 2025

China - Sulphur - Market Analysis, Forecast, Size, Trends and Insights

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Jul 12, 2024

China's Sulphur Imports Dive to $1.1 Billion in 2023

China Sulphur Imports

After three years of decline, overseas purchases of sulphur increased by 16% to 8.8M tons in 2023. Over the period under review, imports, however, recorded a slight shrinkage. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2015 with an increase of 17% against the previous year. Imports peaked at 12M tons in 2016; however, from 2017 to 2023, imports remained at a lower figure.

In value terms, sulphur imports shrank rapidly to $1.1B (IndexBox estimates) in 2023. In general, imports, however, saw a pronounced decline. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2021 with an increase of 143% against the previous year. Imports peaked at $2.3B in 2022, and then fell remarkably in the following year.China Sulphur Imports By Country (Million USD)

COUNTRYImport Value of Sulphur in China (million USD)
20132014201520162017201820192020202120222023
Canada10681.311983.710312111425.787.3218166
United Arab Emirates15374.3229179203273235161246310149
South Korea12215117210910815411553.7156272114
Saudi Arabia23030237325726733219375.0244211111
Qatar94.210310566.611514816839.395.272.693.1
Iran12321119690.813714013666.513824487.6
Kuwait41.432.432.125.121.045.324.417.455.411082.8
Japan13815314698.310413592.541.010220977.4
Others412475406248177304234125344663240
Total1,4191,5821,7781,1581,2351,6511,3116041,4692,3091,121

Imports by Country

Canada (1.2M tons), South Korea (1.1M tons) and the United Arab Emirates (1.1M tons) were the main suppliers of sulphur imports to China, together accounting for 39% of total imports. Saudi Arabia, Japan, Qatar, Iran and Kuwait lagged somewhat behind, together comprising a further 40%.

From 2013 to 2023, the biggest increases were recorded for Kuwait (with a CAGR of +7.7%), while purchases for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, Canada ($166M), the United Arab Emirates ($149M) and South Korea ($114M) were the largest sulphur suppliers to China, together accounting for 38% of total imports. Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Iran, Kuwait and Japan lagged somewhat behind, together accounting for a further 40%.

Kuwait, with a CAGR of +7.2%, saw the highest growth rate of the value of imports, in terms of the main suppliers over the period under review, while purchases for the other leaders experienced mixed trend patterns.

Import Prices by Country

In 2023, the sulphur price stood at $127 per ton (CIF, China), declining by -58% against the previous year. Overall, the import price showed a relatively flat trend pattern. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2021 when the average import price increased by 143%. Over the period under review, average import prices attained the peak figure at $302 per ton in 2022, and then shrank rapidly in the following year.

Average prices varied somewhat amongst the major supplying countries. In 2023, amid the top importers, the countries with the highest prices were Kazakhstan ($143 per ton) and Iran ($137 per ton), while the price for Japan ($98 per ton) and South Korea ($100 per ton) were amongst the lowest.

From 2013 to 2023, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Kazakhstan (+3.2%), while the prices for the other major suppliers experienced mixed trend patterns.

Source: IndexBox Market Intelligence Platform

This report provides an in-depth analysis of the sulphur market in China. Within it, you will discover the latest data on market trends and opportunities by country, consumption, production and price developments, as well as the global trade (imports and exports). The forecast exhibits the market prospects through 2030.

Product coverage:

    Country coverage:

    Data coverage:

    • Market volume and value
    • Per Capita consumption
    • Forecast of the market dynamics in the medium term
    • Trade (exports and imports) in China
    • Export and import prices
    • Market trends, drivers and restraints
    • Key market players and their profiles

    Reasons to buy this report:

    • Take advantage of the latest data
    • Find deeper insights into current market developments
    • Discover vital success factors affecting the market

    This report is designed for manufacturers, distributors, importers, and wholesalers, as well as for investors, consultants and advisors.

    In this report, you can find information that helps you to make informed decisions on the following issues:

    1. How to diversify your business and benefit from new market opportunities
    2. How to load your idle production capacity
    3. How to boost your sales on overseas markets
    4. How to increase your profit margins
    5. How to make your supply chain more sustainable
    6. How to reduce your production and supply chain costs
    7. How to outsource production to other countries
    8. How to prepare your business for global expansion

    While doing this research, we combine the accumulated expertise of our analysts and the capabilities of artificial intelligence. The AI-based platform, developed by our data scientists, constitutes the key working tool for business analysts, empowering them to discover deep insights and ideas from the marketing data.

    1. 1. INTRODUCTION

      Making Data-Driven Decisions to Grow Your Business

      1. REPORT DESCRIPTION
      2. RESEARCH METHODOLOGY AND THE AI PLATFORM
      3. DATA-DRIVEN DECISIONS FOR YOUR BUSINESS
      4. GLOSSARY AND SPECIFIC TERMS

    2. 2. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

      A Quick Overview of Market Performance

      1. KEY FINDINGS
      2. MARKET TRENDSThis Chapter is Available Only for the Professional EditionPRO

    3. 3. MARKET OVERVIEW

      Understanding the Current State of The Market and its Prospects

      1. MARKET SIZE: HISTORICAL DATA (2012–2024) AND FORECAST (2025–2035)
      2. MARKET STRUCTURE: HISTORICAL DATA (2012–2024) AND FORECAST (2025–2035)
      3. TRADE BALANCE: HISTORICAL DATA (2012–2024) AND FORECAST (2025–2035)
      4. PER CAPITA CONSUMPTION: HISTORICAL DATA (2012–2024) AND FORECAST (2025–2035)
      5. MARKET FORECAST TO 2035

    4. 4. MOST PROMISING PRODUCTS FOR DIVERSIFICATION

      Finding New Products to Diversify Your Business

      1. TOP PRODUCTS TO DIVERSIFY YOUR BUSINESS
      2. BEST-SELLING PRODUCTS
      3. MOST CONSUMED PRODUCTS
      4. MOST TRADED PRODUCTS
      5. MOST PROFITABLE PRODUCTS FOR EXPORTS

    5. 5. MOST PROMISING SUPPLYING COUNTRIES

      Choosing the Best Countries to Establish Your Sustainable Supply Chain

      1. TOP COUNTRIES TO SOURCE YOUR PRODUCT
      2. TOP PRODUCING COUNTRIES
      3. TOP EXPORTING COUNTRIES
      4. LOW-COST EXPORTING COUNTRIES

    6. 6. MOST PROMISING OVERSEAS MARKETS

      Choosing the Best Countries to Boost Your Export

      1. TOP OVERSEAS MARKETS FOR EXPORTING YOUR PRODUCT
      2. TOP CONSUMING MARKETS
      3. UNSATURATED MARKETS
      4. TOP IMPORTING MARKETS
      5. MOST PROFITABLE MARKETS

    7. 7. PRODUCTION

      The Latest Trends and Insights into The Industry

      1. PRODUCTION VOLUME AND VALUE: HISTORICAL DATA (2012–2024) AND FORECAST (2025–2035)

    8. 8. IMPORTS

      The Largest Import Supplying Countries

      1. IMPORTS: HISTORICAL DATA (2012–2024) AND FORECAST (2025–2035)
      2. IMPORTS BY COUNTRY: HISTORICAL DATA (2012–2024)
      3. IMPORT PRICES BY COUNTRY: HISTORICAL DATA (2012–2024)

    9. 9. EXPORTS

      The Largest Destinations for Exports

      1. EXPORTS: HISTORICAL DATA (2012–2024) AND FORECAST (2025–2035)
      2. EXPORTS BY COUNTRY: HISTORICAL DATA (2012–2024)
      3. EXPORT PRICES BY COUNTRY: HISTORICAL DATA (2012–2024)

    10. 10. PROFILES OF MAJOR PRODUCERS

      The Largest Producers on The Market and Their Profiles

    11. LIST OF TABLES

      1. Key Findings In 2024
      2. Market Volume, In Physical Terms: Historical Data (2012–2024) and Forecast (2025–2035)
      3. Market Value: Historical Data (2012–2024) and Forecast (2025–2035)
      4. Per Capita Consumption: Historical Data (2012–2024) and Forecast (2025–2035)
      5. Imports, In Physical Terms, By Country, 2012–2024
      6. Imports, In Value Terms, By Country, 2012–2024
      7. Import Prices, By Country, 2012–2024
      8. Exports, In Physical Terms, By Country, 2012–2024
      9. Exports, In Value Terms, By Country, 2012–2024
      10. Export Prices, By Country, 2012–2024

    12. LIST OF FIGURES

      1. Market Volume, In Physical Terms: Historical Data (2012–2024) and Forecast (2025–2035)
      2. Market Value: Historical Data (2012–2024) and Forecast (2025–2035)
      3. Market Structure – Domestic Supply vs. Imports, in Physical Terms: Historical Data (2012–2024) and Forecast (2025–2035)
      4. Market Structure – Domestic Supply vs. Imports, in Value Terms: Historical Data (2012–2024) and Forecast (2025–2035)
      5. Trade Balance, In Physical Terms: Historical Data (2012–2024) and Forecast (2025–2035)
      6. Trade Balance, In Value Terms: Historical Data (2012–2024) and Forecast (2025–2035)
      7. Per Capita Consumption: Historical Data (2012–2024) and Forecast (2025–2035)
      8. Market Volume Forecast to 2035
      9. Market Value Forecast to 2035
      10. Market Size and Growth, By Product
      11. Average Per Capita Consumption, By Product
      12. Exports and Growth, By Product
      13. Export Prices and Growth, By Product
      14. Production Volume and Growth
      15. Exports and Growth
      16. Export Prices and Growth
      17. Market Size and Growth
      18. Per Capita Consumption
      19. Imports and Growth
      20. Import Prices
      21. Production, In Physical Terms: Historical Data (2012–2024) and Forecast (2025–2035)
      22. Production, In Value Terms: Historical Data (2012–2024) and Forecast (2025–2035)
      23. Imports, In Physical Terms: Historical Data (2012–2024) and Forecast (2025–2035)
      24. Imports, In Value Terms: Historical Data (2012–2024) and Forecast (2025–2035)
      25. Imports, In Physical Terms, By Country, 2024
      26. Imports, In Physical Terms, By Country, 2012–2024
      27. Imports, In Value Terms, By Country, 2012–2024
      28. Import Prices, By Country, 2012–2024
      29. Exports, In Physical Terms: Historical Data (2012–2024) and Forecast (2025–2035)
      30. Exports, In Value Terms: Historical Data (2012–2024) and Forecast (2025–2035)
      31. Exports, In Physical Terms, By Country, 2024
      32. Exports, In Physical Terms, By Country, 2012–2024
      33. Exports, In Value Terms, By Country, 2012–2024
      34. Export Prices, By Country, 2012–2024

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