EU: Sulphur Market 2024

Sulphur Market Size in the EU

The EU sulphur market shrank to $X in 2022, dropping by -12.3% against the previous year. In general, consumption recorded a noticeable reduction. The level of consumption peaked at $X in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, consumption remained at a lower figure.

Sulphur Production in the EU

In value terms, sulphur production declined remarkably to $X in 2022 estimated in export price. Overall, production saw a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2021 when the production volume increased by 61% against the previous year. As a result, production reached the peak level of $X, and then fell notably in the following year.

Sulphur Exports

Exports in the EU

In 2022, shipments abroad of sulphur increased by 5.3% to X tons, rising for the second consecutive year after three years of decline. Over the period under review, exports, however, showed a perceptible reduction. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2021 when exports increased by 20%. Over the period under review, the exports reached the peak figure at X tons in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, the exports failed to regain momentum.

In value terms, sulphur exports skyrocketed to $X in 2022. In general, exports, however, recorded a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2021 with an increase of 89%. Over the period under review, the exports reached the peak figure at $X in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, the exports failed to regain momentum.

Exports by Country

The shipments of the four major exporters of sulphur, namely the Netherlands, Spain, Germany and Greece, represented more than two-thirds of total export. Poland (X tons) ranks next in terms of the total exports with a 7.5% share, followed by Italy (5.7%) and Bulgaria (4.8%).

From 2012 to 2022, the biggest increases were recorded for Bulgaria (with a CAGR of +8.5%), while shipments for the other leaders experienced mixed trends in the exports figures.

In value terms, the largest sulphur supplying countries in the European Union were the Netherlands ($X), Germany ($X) and Spain ($X), with a combined 53% share of total exports. Poland, Greece, Italy and Bulgaria lagged somewhat behind, together comprising a further 33%.

Bulgaria, with a CAGR of +17.4%, saw the highest rates of growth with regard to the value of exports, in terms of the main exporting countries over the period under review, while shipments for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Export Prices by Country

In 2022, the export price in the European Union amounted to $X per ton, increasing by 54% against the previous year. Export price indicated measured growth from 2012 to 2022: its price increased at an average annual rate of +3.5% over the last decade. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2022 figures, sulphur export price increased by +143.2% against 2020 indices. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2021 when the export price increased by 58% against the previous year. The level of export peaked in 2022 and is likely to see gradual growth in the near future.

Prices varied noticeably by country of origin: amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was Poland ($X per ton), while the Netherlands ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Italy (+9.6%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Sulphur Imports

Imports in the EU

In 2022, approx. X tons of sulphur were imported in the European Union; which is down by -8.6% against the previous year's figure. The total import volume increased at an average annual rate of +1.2% from 2012 to 2022; the trend pattern remained relatively stable, with only minor fluctuations being observed throughout the analyzed period. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2013 with an increase of 9.8%. The volume of import peaked at X tons in 2021, and then shrank in the following year.

In value terms, sulphur imports skyrocketed to $X in 2022. Over the period under review, imports, however, posted moderate growth. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2021 when imports increased by 96% against the previous year. Over the period under review, imports attained the peak figure in 2022 and are likely to see gradual growth in years to come.

Imports by Country

Belgium was the main importer of sulphur in the European Union, with the volume of imports finishing at X tons, which was approx. 35% of total imports in 2022. The Netherlands (X tons) ranks second in terms of the total imports with a 14% share, followed by France (11%), Sweden (8.9%), Lithuania (4.8%) and the Czech Republic (4.6%). Greece (X tons), Slovenia (X tons), Austria (X tons), Germany (X tons), Italy (X tons) and Spain (X tons) took a little share of total imports.

Belgium experienced a relatively flat trend pattern with regard to volume of imports of sulphur. At the same time, Sweden (+12.8%), the Netherlands (+10.7%), Spain (+8.7%), Greece (+8.3%), France (+4.9%), Germany (+4.6%) and Slovenia (+1.8%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, Sweden emerged as the fastest-growing importer imported in the European Union, with a CAGR of +12.8% from 2012-2022. The Czech Republic, Italy and Austria experienced a relatively flat trend pattern. By contrast, Lithuania (-12.6%) illustrated a downward trend over the same period. From 2012 to 2022, the share of the Netherlands, Sweden, Austria, France and Greece increased by +8.3, +5.9, +3.7, +3.4 and +2.2 percentage points, respectively. The shares of the other countries remained relatively stable throughout the analyzed period.

In value terms, Belgium ($X) constitutes the largest market for imported sulphur in the European Union, comprising 35% of total imports. The second position in the ranking was held by France ($X), with a 15% share of total imports. It was followed by Sweden, with a 9.4% share.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual rate of growth in terms of value in Belgium stood at +4.4%. In the other countries, the average annual rates were as follows: France (+8.7% per year) and Sweden (+16.8% per year).

Import Prices by Country

In 2022, the import price in the European Union amounted to $X per ton, increasing by 46% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the import price recorded a temperate increase. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2021 an increase of 79% against the previous year. Over the period under review, import prices reached the maximum in 2022 and is expected to retain growth in years to come.

Prices varied noticeably by country of destination: amid the top importers, the country with the highest price was Spain ($X per ton), while Slovenia ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Austria (+9.3%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Platform

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