Egypt: Sulphur Market 2024

Sulphur Market Size in Egypt

In 2022, the Egyptian sulphur market was finally on the rise to reach $X for the first time since 2018, thus ending a three-year declining trend. Overall, consumption showed a relatively flat trend pattern. Sulphur consumption peaked at $X in 2018; however, from 2019 to 2022, consumption failed to regain momentum.

Sulphur Production in Egypt

In value terms, sulphur production fell notably to $X in 2022 estimated in export price. Overall, production posted a strong expansion. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2021 when the production volume increased by 568% against the previous year. As a result, production attained the peak level of $X, and then contracted rapidly in the following year.

Sulphur Exports

Exports from Egypt

In 2022, overseas shipments of sulphur increased by 3% to X tons, rising for the second year in a row after three years of decline. Over the period under review, exports enjoyed a significant expansion. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2021 with an increase of 6,721%. Over the period under review, the exports reached the maximum in 2022 and are expected to retain growth in the near future.

In value terms, sulphur exports declined significantly to $X in 2022. Overall, exports posted a significant expansion. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2021 when exports increased by 6,721% against the previous year. As a result, the exports attained the peak of $X, and then declined rapidly in the following year.

Exports by Country

South Africa (X tons) was the main destination for sulphur exports from Egypt, with a 51% share of total exports. Moreover, sulphur exports to South Africa exceeded the volume sent to the second major destination, Greece (X tons), threefold.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual growth rate of volume to South Africa amounted to +105.1%. Exports to the other major destinations recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: Greece (0.0% per year) and Cyprus (+32.4% per year).

In value terms, South Africa ($X) remains the key foreign market for sulphur exports from Egypt, comprising 60% of total exports. The second position in the ranking was taken by Greece ($X), with a 17% share of total exports.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual growth rate of value to South Africa amounted to +72.2%. Exports to the other major destinations recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: Greece (0.0% per year) and Cyprus (+4.5% per year).

Export Prices by Country

The average sulphur export price stood at $X per ton in 2022, waning by -89.5% against the previous year. Overall, the export price faced a abrupt decline. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2018 an increase of 52%. The export price peaked at $X per ton in 2021, and then shrank dramatically in the following year.

There were significant differences in the average prices for the major overseas markets. In 2022, amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was South Africa ($X per ton), while the average price for exports to Cyprus ($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 Singapore (-5.1%), while the prices for the other major destinations experienced a decline.

Sulphur Imports

Imports into Egypt

In 2022, after three years of decline, there was significant growth in overseas purchases of sulphur, when their volume increased by 47% to X tons. In general, total imports indicated mild growth from 2012 to 2022: its volume increased at an average annual rate of +1.6% over the last decade. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2017 with an increase of 64% against the previous year. Imports peaked at X tons in 2018; however, from 2019 to 2022, imports remained at a lower figure.

In value terms, sulphur imports surged to $X in 2022. Over the period under review, imports posted notable growth. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2017 when imports increased by 291%. Over the period under review, imports hit record highs in 2022 and are expected to retain growth in the immediate term.

Imports by Country

In 2022, Turkey (X tons) constituted the largest sulphur supplier to Egypt, accounting for a 29% share of total imports. Moreover, sulphur imports from Turkey exceeded the figures recorded by the second-largest supplier, Romania (X tons), twofold. Greece (X tons) ranked third in terms of total imports with a 9.3% share.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual rate of growth in terms of volume from Turkey amounted to +25.0%. The remaining supplying countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: Romania (-0.5% per year) and Greece (-6.1% per year).

In value terms, Turkey ($X) constituted the largest supplier of sulphur to Egypt, comprising 42% of total imports. The second position in the ranking was held by Greece ($X), with a 9.5% share of total imports. It was followed by Romania, with an 8.1% share.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual growth rate of value from Turkey amounted to +29.4%. The remaining supplying countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: Greece (-4.8% per year) and Romania (+0.8% per year).

Import Prices by Country

The average sulphur import price stood at $X per ton in 2022, remaining constant against the previous year. In general, the import price recorded a measured increase. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2021 an increase of 321% against the previous year. Over the period under review, average import prices attained the peak figure in 2022 and is likely to see gradual growth in the immediate term.

There were significant differences in the average prices amongst the major supplying countries. In 2022, amid the top importers, the country with the highest price was Turkey ($X per ton), while the price for Kazakhstan ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Bulgaria (+7.1%), while the prices for the other major suppliers experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Platform

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