Belgium: Sulphur Market 2024

Sulphur Market Size in Belgium

The Belgian sulphur market amounted to $X in 2021, growing by 3.3% against the previous year. In general, consumption, however, recorded a perceptible reduction. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2019 when the market value increased by 7.2% against the previous year. Sulphur consumption peaked at $X in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2021, consumption failed to regain momentum.

Sulphur Production in Belgium

In value terms, sulphur production totaled $X in 2021 estimated in export price. In general, production showed a deep contraction. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2019 with an increase of 13%. Sulphur production peaked at $X in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2021, production failed to regain momentum.

Sulphur Exports

Exports from Belgium

In 2021, after four years of growth, there was significant decline in shipments abroad of sulphur (sublimed or precipitated) and colloidal sulphur, when their volume decreased by -91.3% to X tons. Over the period under review, exports faced a sharp reduction. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2020 with an increase of 108%. The exports peaked at X tons in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2021, the exports remained at a lower figure.

In value terms, sulphur exports declined notably to $X in 2021. In general, exports continue to indicate a precipitous decrease. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2013 with an increase of 171%. As a result, the exports attained the peak of $X. From 2014 to 2021, the growth of the exports remained at a somewhat lower figure.

Exports by Country

France (X tons) was the main destination for sulphur exports from Belgium, accounting for a 53% share of total exports. Moreover, sulphur exports to France exceeded the volume sent to the second major destination, China (X kg), fivefold. The third position in this ranking was taken by Taiwan (Chinese) (X kg), with an 8% share.

From 2012 to 2021, the average annual rate of growth in terms of volume to France stood at +1.1%. Exports to the other major destinations recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: China (+90.4% per year) and Taiwan (Chinese) (+5.1% per year).

In value terms, the largest markets for sulphur exported from Belgium were France ($X), Germany ($X) and Spain ($X), together comprising 53% of total exports. These countries were followed by the United States, Switzerland, China, Sweden, Taiwan (Chinese), Austria, Italy and the Netherlands, which together accounted for a further 37%.

China, with a CAGR of +70.1%, saw the highest rates of growth with regard to the value of exports, in terms of the main countries of destination over the period under review, while shipments for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Export Prices by Country

The average sulphur export price stood at $X per ton in 2021, surging by 155% against the previous year. In general, the export price showed a slight increase. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2013 when the average export price increased by 241% against the previous year. As a result, the export price attained the peak level of $X per ton. From 2014 to 2021, the average export prices failed to regain momentum.

Prices varied noticeably by country of destination: amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was the United States ($X per ton), while the average price for exports to the Netherlands ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was recorded for supplies to Germany (+6.2%), while the prices for the other major destinations experienced a decline.

Sulphur Imports

Imports into Belgium

In 2021, overseas purchases of sulphur (sublimed or precipitated) and colloidal sulphur increased by 17% to X tons for the first time since 2017, thus ending a three-year declining trend. In general, imports saw a relatively flat trend pattern. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2017 with an increase of 117% against the previous year. As a result, imports reached the peak of X tons. From 2018 to 2021, the growth of imports remained at a somewhat lower figure.

In value terms, sulphur imports skyrocketed to $X in 2021. Overall, imports, however, faced a drastic downturn. Over the period under review, imports hit record highs at $X in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2021, imports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Imports by Country

In 2021, France (X tons) constituted the largest supplier of sulphur to Belgium, accounting for a 89% share of total imports. Moreover, sulphur imports from France exceeded the figures recorded by the second-largest supplier, Germany (X tons), ninefold.

From 2012 to 2021, the average annual rate of growth in terms of volume from France amounted to +9.6%. The remaining supplying countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: Germany (-3.8% per year) and the United States (-58.5% per year).

In value terms, France ($X) constituted the largest supplier of sulphur (sublimed or precipitated) and colloidal sulphur to Belgium, comprising 75% of total imports. The second position in the ranking was taken by Germany ($X), with a 21% share of total imports.

From 2012 to 2021, the average annual growth rate of value from France stood at +2.4%. The remaining supplying countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: Germany (-9.3% per year) and the United States (-56.0% per year).

Import Prices by Country

The average sulphur import price stood at $X per ton in 2021, jumping by 35% against the previous year. Overall, the import price, however, recorded a deep setback. The import price peaked at $X per ton in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2021, import prices remained at a lower figure.

Prices varied noticeably by country of origin: amid the top importers, the country with the highest price was the United States ($X per ton), while the price for France ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by the United States (+5.9%), while the prices for the other major suppliers experienced a decline.

Source: IndexBox Platform

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