Europe: Potassium Sulphate (Sop) Market 2025

Potassium Sulphate (Sop) Market Size in Europe

In 2022, the Europe potassium sulphate (SOP) market increased by 16% to $X, rising for the fifth consecutive year after two years of decline. The total consumption indicated a strong increase from 2012 to 2022: its value increased at an average annual rate of +5.8% over the last decade. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2022 figures, consumption increased by +68.7% against 2017 indices. The level of consumption peaked in 2022 and is likely to continue growth in the near future.

Potassium Sulphate (Sop) Production in Europe

In value terms, potassium sulphate (SOP) production soared to $X in 2022 estimated in export price. The total production indicated moderate growth from 2012 to 2022: its value increased at an average annual rate of +4.9% over the last decade. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2022 figures, production increased by +120.0% against 2016 indices. As a result, production attained the peak level and is likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

Potassium Sulphate (Sop) Exports

Exports in Europe

In 2022, the amount of potassium sulphate (SOP) exported in Europe dropped to X tons, with a decrease of -7.7% compared with the previous year's figure. Over the period under review, exports showed a mild descent. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2015 with an increase of 30%. As a result, the exports attained the peak of X tons. From 2016 to 2022, the growth of the exports remained at a lower figure.

In value terms, potassium sulphate (SOP) exports soared to $X in 2022. Total exports indicated modest growth from 2012 to 2022: its value increased at an average annual rate of +1.5% over the last decade. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2022 figures, exports increased by +94.2% against 2020 indices. Over the period under review, the exports reached the maximum at $X in 2015; however, from 2016 to 2022, the exports remained at a lower figure.

Exports by Country

Sweden was the major exporting country with an export of about X tons, which finished at 49% of total exports. Russia (X tons) held the second position in the ranking, distantly followed by the Netherlands (X tons), Finland (X tons) and Austria (X tons). All these countries together took near 41% share of total exports. The following exporters - Italy (X tons) and Spain (X tons) - together made up 4.8% of total exports.

From 2012 to 2022, average annual rates of growth with regard to potassium sulphate (SOP) exports from Sweden stood at +7.0%. At the same time, Italy (+11.8%) and Spain (+2.0%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, Italy emerged as the fastest-growing exporter exported in Europe, with a CAGR of +11.8% from 2012-2022. The Netherlands experienced a relatively flat trend pattern. By contrast, Austria (-1.1%), Russia (-6.8%) and Finland (-13.7%) illustrated a downward trend over the same period. Sweden (+29 p.p.), Italy (+2 p.p.) and the Netherlands (+1.8 p.p.) significantly strengthened its position in terms of the total exports, while Russia and Finland saw its share reduced by -13.4% and -15.9% from 2012 to 2022, respectively. The shares of the other countries remained relatively stable throughout the analyzed period.

In value terms, Sweden ($X), Finland ($X) and Russia ($X) appeared to be the countries with the highest levels of exports in 2022, together comprising 76% of total exports. The Netherlands, Austria, Spain and Italy lagged somewhat behind, together comprising a further 19%.

Among the main exporting countries, Italy, with a CAGR of +16.5%, saw the highest rates of growth with regard to the value of exports, 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 Europe amounted to $X per ton, rising by 60% against the previous year. Export price indicated notable growth from 2012 to 2022: its price increased at an average annual rate of +3.4% over the last decade. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2022 figures, potassium sulphate (SOP) export price increased by +72.8% against 2020 indices. As a result, the export price reached the peak level and is likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

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

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Finland (+16.5%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Potassium Sulphate (Sop) Imports

Imports in Europe

In 2022, purchases abroad of potassium sulphate (SOP) decreased by -12.4% to X tons, falling for the second consecutive year after two years of growth. The total import volume increased at an average annual rate of +3.0% over the period from 2012 to 2022; however, the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2013 with an increase of 45% against the previous year. The volume of import peaked at X tons in 2017; however, from 2018 to 2022, imports remained at a lower figure.

In value terms, potassium sulphate (SOP) imports rose sharply to $X in 2022. The total import value increased at an average annual rate of +2.7% from 2012 to 2022; however, the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded in certain years. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2013 when imports increased by 37% against the previous year. The level of import peaked at $X in 2015; however, from 2016 to 2022, imports remained at a lower figure.

Imports by Country

Belgium (X tons) and Norway (X tons) represented roughly 46% of total imports in 2022. France (X tons) took the next position in the ranking, followed by the Netherlands (X tons), Spain (X tons) and Italy (X tons). All these countries together took approx. 34% share of total imports. Greece (X tons), Denmark (X tons), Poland (X tons), Russia (X tons) and the UK (X tons) followed a long way behind the leaders.

From 2012 to 2022, the biggest increases were recorded for Russia (with a CAGR of +21.4%), while purchases for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, Belgium ($X), Norway ($X) and France ($X) appeared to be the countries with the highest levels of imports in 2022, together accounting for 53% of total imports. The Netherlands, Spain, Italy, Greece, Poland, the UK, Russia and Denmark lagged somewhat behind, together comprising a further 35%.

In terms of the main importing countries, Russia, with a CAGR of +18.6%, saw the highest rates of growth with regard to 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 import price in Europe stood at $X per ton in 2022, with an increase of 22% against the previous year. In general, the import price, however, saw a relatively flat trend pattern. The level of import peaked at $X per ton in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, import prices remained at a lower figure.

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

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Poland (+4.7%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Platform