Kenya: Sulphur Market 2024

Sulphur Market Size in Kenya

In 2022, after three years of growth, there was significant decline in the Kenyan sulphur market, when its value decreased by -93.1% to $X. In general, consumption, however, recorded a buoyant expansion. As a result, consumption reached the peak level of $X, and then dropped dramatically in the following year.

Sulphur Exports

Exports from Kenya

In 2022, approx. X tons of sulphur were exported from Kenya; declining by -20.3% on 2021 figures. In general, exports saw a noticeable decline. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2014 with an increase of 1,190%. As a result, the exports attained the peak of X tons. From 2015 to 2022, the growth of the exports failed to regain momentum.

In value terms, sulphur exports shrank sharply to $X in 2022. Over the period under review, exports saw a deep contraction. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2014 with an increase of 940%. As a result, the exports reached the peak of $X. From 2015 to 2022, the growth of the exports remained at a somewhat lower figure.

Exports by Country

Niger (X tons) was the main destination for sulphur exports from Kenya, accounting for a 91% share of total exports. Moreover, sulphur exports to Niger exceeded the volume sent to the second major destination, Uganda (X tons), more than tenfold. Tanzania (X tons) ranked third in terms of total exports with a 3% share.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual rate of growth in terms of volume to Niger was relatively modest. Exports to the other major destinations recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: Uganda (-17.5% per year) and Tanzania (-29.1% per year).

In value terms, Niger ($X) emerged as the key foreign market for sulphur exports from Kenya, comprising 90% of total exports. The second position in the ranking was taken by Tanzania ($X), with a 5.5% share of total exports. It was followed by Uganda, with a 3.7% share.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual rate of growth in terms of value to Niger was relatively modest. Exports to the other major destinations recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: Tanzania (-25.5% per year) and Uganda (-20.3% per year).

Export Prices by Country

In 2022, the average sulphur export price amounted to $X per ton, falling by -4% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the export price continues to indicate a abrupt slump. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2018 when the average export price increased by 16% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the average export prices hit record highs at $X per ton in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, the export prices remained at a lower figure.

There were significant differences in the average prices for the major foreign markets. In 2022, amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was Tanzania ($X per ton), while the average price for exports to Rwanda ($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 Tanzania (+5.1%), while the prices for the other major destinations experienced a decline.

Sulphur Imports

Imports into Kenya

In 2022, overseas purchases of sulphur decreased by -94.9% to X tons for the first time since 2019, thus ending a two-year rising trend. In general, imports, however, enjoyed a remarkable increase. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2021 with an increase of 827%. As a result, imports attained the peak of X tons, and then fell dramatically in the following year.

In value terms, sulphur imports shrank significantly to $X in 2022. Over the period under review, imports, however, showed a resilient increase. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2021 with an increase of 827% against the previous year. As a result, imports attained the peak of $X, and then dropped notably in the following year.

Imports by Country

In 2022, Russia (X tons) constituted the largest supplier of sulphur to Kenya, with a 64% share of total imports. Moreover, sulphur imports from Russia exceeded the figures recorded by the second-largest supplier, Turkey (X tons), fivefold. The United Arab Emirates (X tons) ranked third in terms of total imports with a 6.9% share.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual rate of growth in terms of volume from Russia amounted to +36.5%. The remaining supplying countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: Turkey (+21.2% per year) and the United Arab Emirates (+23.9% per year).

In value terms, Russia ($X) constituted the largest supplier of sulphur to Kenya, comprising 64% of total imports. The second position in the ranking was taken by Turkey ($X), with a 13% share of total imports. It was followed by the United Arab Emirates, with a 7.2% share.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual rate of growth in terms of value from Russia stood at +40.5%. The remaining supplying countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: Turkey (+20.5% per year) and the United Arab Emirates (+24.1% per year).

Import Prices by Country

The average sulphur import price stood at $X per ton in 2022, growing by 89% against the previous year. Overall, the import price, however, saw a relatively flat trend pattern. The import price 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 supplying countries. In 2022, amid the top importers, the country with the highest price was the United Arab Emirates ($X per ton), while the price for Kazakhstan ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Russia (+2.9%), while the prices for the other major suppliers experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Platform

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