EU: Sulphur Market 2024

Sulphur Market Size in the EU

The EU sulphur market contracted notably to $X in 2021, declining by -18.5% against the previous year. Over the period under review, consumption showed a pronounced setback. As a result, consumption reached the peak level of $X. From 2018 to 2021, the growth of the market remained at a lower figure.

Sulphur Production in the EU

In value terms, sulphur production declined to $X in 2021 estimated in export price. Overall, production saw a mild downturn. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2020 with an increase of 10% against the previous year. Over the period under review, production reached the maximum level at $X in 2014; however, from 2015 to 2021, production remained at a lower figure.

Sulphur Exports

Exports in the EU

In 2021, exports of sulphur (sublimed or precipitated) and colloidal sulphur in the European Union reduced modestly to X tons, remaining constant against 2020. Overall, exports continue to indicate a perceptible decrease. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2014 with an increase of 43% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the exports reached the peak figure at X tons in 2016; however, from 2017 to 2021, the exports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

In value terms, sulphur exports soared to $X in 2021. In general, exports showed a abrupt shrinkage. Over the period under review, the exports attained the maximum at $X in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2021, the exports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Exports by Country

Slovakia was the main exporter of sulphur (sublimed or precipitated) and colloidal sulphur in the European Union, with the volume of exports accounting for X tons, which was approx. 78% of total exports in 2021. Poland (X tons) held the second position in the ranking, followed by Germany (X tons). All these countries together took approx. 18% share of total exports. Spain (X tons) followed a long way behind the leaders.

Slovakia experienced a relatively flat trend pattern with regard to volume of exports of sulphur (sublimed or precipitated) and colloidal sulphur. At the same time, Germany (+32.2%) and Spain (+24.4%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, Germany emerged as the fastest-growing exporter exported in the European Union, with a CAGR of +32.2% from 2012-2021. By contrast, Poland (-10.2%) illustrated a downward trend over the same period. Slovakia (+21 p.p.), Germany (+6.2 p.p.) and Spain (+1.8 p.p.) significantly strengthened its position in terms of the total exports, while Poland saw its share reduced by -10.8% from 2012 to 2021, respectively.

In value terms, the largest sulphur supplying countries in the European Union were Slovakia ($X), Spain ($X) and Germany ($X), with a combined 76% share of total exports.

In terms of the main exporting countries, Spain, with a CAGR of +28.4%, saw the highest growth rate of the value of exports, over the period under review, while shipments for the other leaders experienced mixed trends in the exports figures.

Export Prices by Country

In 2021, the export price in the European Union amounted to $X per ton, surging by 38% against the previous year. Overall, the export price, however, continues to indicate a perceptible descent. Over the period under review, the export prices hit record highs at $X per ton in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2021, the export prices remained at a lower figure.

There were significant differences in the average prices amongst the major exporting countries. In 2021, amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was Spain ($X per ton), while Slovakia ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Spain (+3.2%), while the other leaders experienced mixed trends in the export price figures.

Sulphur Imports

Imports in the EU

In 2021, imports of sulphur (sublimed or precipitated) and colloidal sulphur in the European Union declined to X tons, waning by -4.2% against the previous year. Overall, imports continue to indicate a abrupt descent. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2015 with an increase of 103% against the previous year. Over the period under review, imports reached the peak figure at X tons in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2021, imports remained at a lower figure.

In value terms, sulphur imports amounted to $X in 2021. Over the period under review, imports saw a abrupt decline. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2019 when imports increased by 26% against the previous year. Over the period under review, imports attained the maximum at $X in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2021, imports remained at a lower figure.

Imports by Country

Austria prevails in imports structure, accounting for X tons, which was near 69% of total imports in 2021. The Czech Republic (X tons) held the second position in the ranking, followed by France (X tons). All these countries together took approx. 16% share of total imports. Spain (X tons), Sweden (X tons), Belgium (X tons) and Poland (X tons) followed a long way behind the leaders.

Imports into Austria increased at an average annual rate of +1.9% from 2012 to 2021. At the same time, Poland (+39.4%), Sweden (+19.8%), France (+15.8%) and Spain (+12.2%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, Poland emerged as the fastest-growing importer imported in the European Union, with a CAGR of +39.4% from 2012-2021. Belgium experienced a relatively flat trend pattern. By contrast, the Czech Republic (-25.3%) illustrated a downward trend over the same period. Austria (+44 p.p.), France (+5.5 p.p.), Spain (+2.5 p.p.), Sweden (+2.3 p.p.) and Poland (+1.8 p.p.) significantly strengthened its position in terms of the total imports, while the Czech Republic saw its share reduced by -48.9% from 2012 to 2021, respectively. The shares of the other countries remained relatively stable throughout the analyzed period.

In value terms, the Czech Republic ($X) constitutes the largest market for imported sulphur (sublimed or precipitated) and colloidal sulphur in the European Union, comprising 38% of total imports. The second position in the ranking was taken by Austria ($X), with an 18% share of total imports. It was followed by France, with a 12% share.

In the Czech Republic, sulphur imports contracted by an average annual rate of -5.4% over the period from 2012-2021. The remaining importing countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: Austria (-5.2% per year) and France (-0.2% per year).

Import Prices by Country

In 2021, the import price in the European Union amounted to $X per ton, increasing by 18% against the previous year. In general, the import price, however, recorded a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2013 when the import price increased by 28% against the previous year. As a result, import price attained the peak level of $X per ton. From 2014 to 2021, the import prices remained at a somewhat lower figure.

Prices varied noticeably by country of destination: amid the top importers, the country with the highest price was the Czech Republic ($X per ton), while Austria ($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 Czech Republic (+26.6%), while the other leaders experienced a decline in the import price figures.

Source: IndexBox Platform

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) :