Middle East: Sulphur Market 2024

Sulphur Market Size in the Middle East

In 2021, the Middle Eastern sulphur market decreased by -0.7% to $X, falling for the third consecutive year after two years of growth. Overall, consumption showed a relatively flat trend pattern. The level of consumption peaked at $X in 2018; however, from 2019 to 2021, consumption failed to regain momentum.

Sulphur Production in the Middle East

In value terms, sulphur production stood at $X in 2021 estimated in export price. In general, production, however, showed a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2017 when the production volume increased by 28% against the previous year. Over the period under review, production hit record highs at $X in 2014; however, from 2015 to 2021, production remained at a lower figure.

Sulphur Exports

Exports in the Middle East

For the third consecutive year, the Middle East recorded growth in overseas shipments of sulphur (sublimed or precipitated) and colloidal sulphur, which increased by 9% to X tons in 2021. Overall, exports showed a buoyant increase. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2014 when exports increased by 445%. The volume of export peaked at X tons in 2017; however, from 2018 to 2021, the exports remained at a lower figure.

In value terms, sulphur exports declined slightly to $X in 2021. Over the period under review, exports, however, continue to indicate a mild downturn. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2014 with an increase of 293%. The level of export peaked at $X in 2015; however, from 2016 to 2021, the exports failed to regain momentum.

Exports by Country

Iran represented the key exporter of sulphur (sublimed or precipitated) and colloidal sulphur in the Middle East, with the volume of exports recording X tons, which was near 85% of total exports in 2021. It was distantly followed by the United Arab Emirates (X tons), comprising a 10% share of total exports. Bahrain (X tons) took a relatively small share of total exports.

Iran was also the fastest-growing in terms of the sulphur (sublimed or precipitated) and colloidal sulphur exports, with a CAGR of +22.5% from 2012 to 2021. At the same time, Bahrain (+20.8%) and the United Arab Emirates (+1.2%) displayed positive paces of growth. Iran (+32 p.p.) significantly strengthened its position in terms of the total exports, while the United Arab Emirates saw its share reduced by -25.7% from 2012 to 2021, respectively. The shares of the other countries remained relatively stable throughout the analyzed period.

In value terms, the largest sulphur supplying countries in the Middle East were Iran ($X), Bahrain ($X) and the United Arab Emirates ($X), together accounting for 89% of total exports.

Bahrain, with a CAGR of +12.7%, saw the highest growth rate of the value of exports, among the main exporting countries 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 Middle East amounted to $X per ton, which is down by -12.5% against the previous year. Overall, the export price recorded a deep contraction. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2018 when the export price increased by 37%. The level of export peaked at $X per ton in 2013; however, from 2014 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 Bahrain ($X per ton), while Iran ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Bahrain (-6.7%), while the other leaders experienced a decline in the export price figures.

Sulphur Imports

Imports in the Middle East

In 2021, purchases abroad of sulphur (sublimed or precipitated) and colloidal sulphur decreased by -6.8% to X tons, falling for the fourth consecutive year after two years of growth. Overall, imports continue to indicate a abrupt descent. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2016 with an increase of 162%. The volume of import peaked at X tons in 2017; however, from 2018 to 2021, imports failed to regain momentum.

In value terms, sulphur imports dropped notably to $X in 2021. Over the period under review, imports showed a abrupt contraction. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2016 with an increase of 154%. Over the period under review, imports attained the peak figure at $X in 2017; however, from 2018 to 2021, imports remained at a lower figure.

Imports by Country

Israel (X tons), the United Arab Emirates (X tons) and Syrian Arab Republic (X tons) represented roughly 91% of total imports in 2021. Jordan (X tons) and Saudi Arabia (X tons) took a relatively small share of total imports.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of purchases, amongst the leading importing countries, was attained by Syrian Arab Republic (with a CAGR of +46.5%), while imports for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, the largest sulphur importing markets in the Middle East were Israel ($X), the United Arab Emirates ($X) and Syrian Arab Republic ($X), with a combined 86% share of total imports.

Syrian Arab Republic, with a CAGR of +38.0%, recorded the highest growth rate of the value of imports, in terms of the main importing countries 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 the Middle East stood at $X per ton in 2021, reducing by -15.4% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the import price saw a abrupt setback. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2017 an increase of 39% against the previous year. The level of import peaked at $X per ton in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2021, import prices failed to regain momentum.

There were significant differences in the average prices amongst the major importing countries. In 2021, amid the top importers, the country with the highest price was Jordan ($X per ton), while Syrian Arab Republic ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Jordan (+8.2%), while the other leaders experienced mixed trends in the import price figures.

Source: IndexBox Platform

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) :