Malaysia: Sulphur Market 2024

Sulphur Market Size in Malaysia

The Malaysian sulphur market shrank modestly to $X in 2022, reducing by -3.5% against the previous year. Overall, consumption recorded a relatively flat trend pattern. Sulphur consumption peaked at $X in 2018; however, from 2019 to 2022, consumption stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Sulphur Production in Malaysia

In value terms, sulphur production amounted to less than $X in 2022 estimated in export price. Overall, production continues to indicate a precipitous shrinkage. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2013 with a decrease of -41.6%. Sulphur production peaked at $X in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, production stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Sulphur Exports

Exports from Malaysia

In 2022, overseas shipments of sulphur decreased by -43.3% to X tons for the first time since 2017, thus ending a four-year rising trend. Overall, exports, however, posted a resilient expansion. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2021 when exports increased by 644%. As a result, the exports reached the peak of X tons, and then reduced dramatically in the following year.

In value terms, sulphur exports contracted notably to $X in 2022. In general, exports saw a relatively flat trend pattern. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2021 with an increase of 644%. As a result, the exports reached the peak of $X, and then dropped rapidly in the following year.

Exports by Country

China (X tons) was the main destination for sulphur exports from Malaysia, accounting for a 57% share of total exports. Moreover, sulphur exports to China exceeded the volume sent to the second major destination, Indonesia (X tons), threefold. The third position in this ranking was held by the Netherlands (X tons), with a 13% share.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual rate of growth in terms of volume to China totaled +15.1%. Exports to the other major destinations recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: Indonesia (-3.4% per year) and the Netherlands (+47.8% per year).

In value terms, the Netherlands ($X) remains the key foreign market for sulphur exports from Malaysia, comprising 57% of total exports. The second position in the ranking was taken by China ($X), with a 22% share of total exports. It was followed by Indonesia, with a 14% share.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual rate of growth in terms of value to the Netherlands amounted to +65.3%. Exports to the other major destinations recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: China (-10.3% per year) and Indonesia (-2.0% per year).

Export Prices by Country

In 2022, the average sulphur export price amounted to $X per ton, remaining constant against the previous year. In general, the export price, however, continues to indicate a abrupt slump. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2017 when the average export price increased by 114%. Over the period under review, the average export prices hit record highs at $X per ton in 2014; however, from 2015 to 2022, the export prices stood at a somewhat lower figure.

There were significant differences in the average prices for the major export markets. In 2022, amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was the Netherlands ($X per ton), while the average price for exports to China ($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 the Netherlands (+11.8%), while the prices for the other major destinations experienced mixed trend patterns.

Sulphur Imports

Imports into Malaysia

In 2022, imports of sulphur into Malaysia reduced dramatically to X tons, which is down by -33.3% compared with 2021 figures. Overall, imports, however, saw a strong expansion. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2015 with an increase of 222% against the previous year. Over the period under review, imports attained the peak figure at X tons in 2021, and then shrank remarkably in the following year.

In value terms, sulphur imports dropped markedly to $X in 2022. In general, imports, however, recorded a resilient increase. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2021 with an increase of 223%. As a result, imports reached the peak of $X, and then shrank markedly in the following year.

Imports by Country

Vietnam (X tons), Singapore (X tons) and Taiwan (Chinese) (X tons) were the main suppliers of sulphur imports to Malaysia, with a combined 90% share of total imports.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of purchases, amongst the main suppliers, was attained by Taiwan (Chinese) (with a CAGR of +43.8%), while imports for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, Vietnam ($X), Singapore ($X) and South Korea ($X) constituted the largest sulphur suppliers to Malaysia, together accounting for 91% of total imports.

Vietnam, with a CAGR of +122.2%, saw the highest growth rate of the value of imports, in terms of the main suppliers over the period under review, while purchases for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Import Prices by Country

In 2022, the average sulphur import price amounted to $X per ton, reducing by -1.9% against the previous year. In general, the import price saw a pronounced curtailment. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2018 when the average import price increased by 44% against the previous year. Over the period under review, average import prices hit record highs at $X per ton in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2022, import prices stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Prices varied noticeably by country of origin: amid the top importers, the country with the highest price was Vietnam ($X per ton), while the price for the United Arab Emirates ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Vietnam (+67.0%), while the prices for the other major suppliers experienced mixed trend patterns.

Source: IndexBox Platform

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