Costa Rica: Sulphur Market 2025

Sulphur Market Size in Costa Rica

The Costa Rican sulphur market dropped modestly to $X in 2022, which is down by -3.9% against the previous year. This figure reflects the total revenues of producers and importers (excluding logistics costs, retail marketing costs, and retailers' margins, which will be included in the final consumer price). In general, consumption recorded a abrupt curtailment. Sulphur consumption peaked at $X in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, consumption failed to regain momentum.

Sulphur Exports

Exports from Costa Rica

In 2022, sulphur exports from Costa Rica shrank rapidly to X tons, dropping by -38% compared with 2021 figures. Overall, exports continue to indicate a abrupt downturn. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2016 when exports increased by 2,626%. As a result, the exports reached the peak of X tons. From 2017 to 2022, the growth of the exports remained at a lower figure.

In value terms, sulphur exports dropped notably to $X in 2022. In general, exports recorded a abrupt shrinkage. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2016 with an increase of 4,462% against the previous year. As a result, the exports attained the peak of $X. From 2017 to 2022, the growth of the exports failed to regain momentum.

Exports by Country

Panama (X tons) was the main destination for sulphur exports from Costa Rica, with a 84% share of total exports. Moreover, sulphur exports to Panama exceeded the volume sent to the second major destination, Honduras (X kg), sixfold.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual rate of growth in terms of volume to Panama totaled -4.6%. Exports to the other major destinations recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: Honduras (-14.0% per year) and Guatemala (+1.5% per year).

In value terms, Panama ($X) remains the key foreign market for sulphur exports from Costa Rica, comprising 79% of total exports. The second position in the ranking was held by Guatemala ($X), with an 11% share of total exports.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual rate of growth in terms of value to Panama totaled -6.8%. Exports to the other major destinations recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: Guatemala (-19.2% per year) and Honduras (-7.3% per year).

Export Prices by Country

The average sulphur export price stood at $X per ton in 2022, leveling off at the previous year. Overall, the export price, however, recorded a perceptible slump. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2016 an increase of 67%. As a result, the export price reached the peak level of $X per ton. From 2017 to 2022, the average export prices remained at a somewhat lower figure.

There were significant differences in the average prices for the major export markets. In 2022, amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was Guatemala ($X per ton), while the average price for exports to Honduras ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was recorded for supplies to Honduras (+7.8%), while the prices for the other major destinations experienced a decline.

Sulphur Imports

Imports into Costa Rica

In 2022, approx. X tons of sulphur were imported into Costa Rica; which is down by -2% against the previous year. In general, imports continue to indicate a abrupt decline. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2015 with an increase of 28%. Imports peaked at X tons in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, imports failed to regain momentum.

In value terms, sulphur imports dropped to $X in 2022. Over the period under review, imports continue to indicate a abrupt contraction. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2015 when imports increased by 24%. Imports peaked at $X in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, imports failed to regain momentum.

Imports by Country

Colombia (X tons), Turkey (X tons) and Nicaragua (X tons) were the main suppliers of sulphur imports to Costa Rica, with a combined 69% share of total imports.

From 2012 to 2022, the biggest increases were recorded for Nicaragua (with a CAGR of +16.6%), while purchases for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, the largest sulphur suppliers to Costa Rica were Nicaragua ($X), Colombia ($X) and Turkey ($X), with a combined 67% share of total imports.

In terms of the main suppliers, Nicaragua, with a CAGR of +23.6%, saw the highest growth rate of the value of imports, over the period under review, while purchases for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Import Prices by Country

The average sulphur import price stood at $X per ton in 2022, shrinking by -3.6% against the previous year. Overall, the import price continues to indicate a abrupt decline. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2021 when the average import price increased by 8% against the previous year. Over the period under review, average import prices reached the maximum at $X per ton in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, 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 ($X per ton), while the price for Turkey ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Nicaragua (+6.0%), while the prices for the other major suppliers experienced a decline.

Source: IndexBox Platform