Europe: Sulphur Market 2024

Sulphur Market Size in Europe

For the fourth year in a row, the Europe sulphur market recorded decline in sales value, which decreased by -4.3% to $X in 2021. Over the period under review, consumption saw a perceptible downturn. As a result, consumption reached the peak level of $X. From 2018 to 2021, the growth of the market remained at a somewhat lower figure.

Sulphur Production in Europe

In value terms, sulphur production expanded modestly to $X in 2021 estimated in export price. Over the period under review, production showed a relatively flat trend pattern. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2017 with an increase of 9.8%. The level of production peaked at $X in 2014; however, from 2015 to 2021, production remained at a lower figure.

Sulphur Exports

Exports in Europe

In 2021, after two years of decline, there was growth in shipments abroad of sulphur (sublimed or precipitated) and colloidal sulphur, when their volume increased by 4.1% to X tons. Overall, exports, however, saw a mild descent. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2014 when exports increased by 45%. The volume of export peaked at X tons in 2016; however, from 2017 to 2021, the exports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

In value terms, sulphur exports skyrocketed to $X in 2021. Over the period under review, exports, however, showed a abrupt decline. The level of export peaked at $X in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2021, the exports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Exports by Country

In 2021, Slovakia (X tons) was the key exporter of sulphur (sublimed or precipitated) and colloidal sulphur, constituting 65% of total exports. Norway (X tons) ranks second in terms of the total exports with a 16% share, followed by Poland (9.9%) and Germany (5.5%). 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, Norway (+39.4%), Germany (+32.2%) and Spain (+24.4%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, Norway emerged as the fastest-growing exporter exported in Europe, with a CAGR of +39.4% from 2012-2021. By contrast, Poland (-10.2%) illustrated a downward trend over the same period. While the share of Norway (+16 p.p.), Slovakia (+9.9 p.p.) and Germany (+5.1 p.p.) increased significantly in terms of the total exports from 2012-2021, the share of Poland (-12 p.p.) displayed negative dynamics. The shares of the other countries remained relatively stable throughout the analyzed period.

In value terms, the largest sulphur supplying countries in Europe were Slovakia ($X), Spain ($X) and Germany ($X), together comprising 63% of total exports. These countries were followed by Poland and Norway, which together accounted for a further 22%.

Among the main exporting countries, Norway, with a CAGR of +33.9%, 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

The export price in Europe stood at $X per ton in 2021, jumping by 51% against the previous year. Overall, the export price, however, showed a noticeable curtailment. The level of export peaked 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 Europe

Sulphur imports fell to X tons in 2021, reducing by -5.3% compared with the previous year. Over the period under review, imports recorded a abrupt slump. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2015 with an increase of 74% against the previous year. Over the period under review, imports hit record highs at X tons in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2021, imports remained at a lower figure.

In value terms, sulphur imports rose notably to $X in 2021. In general, imports saw a abrupt decrease. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2019 when imports increased by 17% against the previous year. The level of import peaked at $X in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2021, imports remained at a lower figure.

Imports by Country

Austria was the major importing country with an import of about X tons, which resulted at 56% of total imports. Switzerland (X tons) ranks second in terms of the total imports with an 18% share, followed by the Czech Republic (8%) and France (5%). The following importers - Spain (X tons), Sweden (X tons) and Belgium (X tons) - each resulted at a 6.1% share of total imports.

Imports into Austria increased at an average annual rate of +1.9% from 2012 to 2021. At the same time, Switzerland (+72.2%), Sweden (+19.8%), France (+15.8%) and Spain (+12.2%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, Switzerland emerged as the fastest-growing importer imported in Europe, with a CAGR of +72.2% 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. From 2012 to 2021, the share of Austria, Switzerland, France, Spain and Sweden increased by +35, +17, +4.5, +2 and +1.9 percentage points, respectively. The shares of the other countries remained relatively stable throughout the analyzed period.

In value terms, the Czech Republic ($X) constitutes the largest market for imported sulphur (sublimed or precipitated) and colloidal sulphur in Europe, comprising 32% of total imports. The second position in the ranking was held by Austria ($X), with a 15% share of total imports. It was followed by Switzerland, with an 11% share.

From 2012 to 2021, the average annual growth rate of value in the Czech Republic stood at -5.4%. The remaining importing countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: Austria (-5.2% per year) and Switzerland (+44.5% per year).

Import Prices by Country

In 2021, the import price in Europe amounted to $X per ton, rising by 20% against the previous year. In general, the import price, however, recorded a mild curtailment. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2018 when the import price increased by 28%. Over the period under review, import prices reached the peak figure at $X per ton in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2021, import prices failed to regain momentum.

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