Sulphur Price Trend and Forecast, 2026-2027

Market Overview

Sulphur is an elemental byproduct recovered from refinery and natural gas processing desulfurization units, used as the primary feedstock for sulfuric acid production, which in turn supports phosphate fertilizer, battery material, and industrial chemical manufacturing. Refinery and gas processing output, and fertilizer and battery material demand all feed into the price.

Global sulphur prices in Q1 2026 stood at USD 0.64 per KG in India, the highest among tracked markets, USD 0.60 per KG in China, USD 0.31 per KG in Saudi Arabia, and USD 0.28 per KG in the United States, the most competitively priced tracked market. India held the highest tracked price on elevated import reliance and strong phosphate fertilizer demand, while the United States benefited from ample domestic refinery and gas processing recovery volumes. Steady fertilizer and battery material demand continued to underpin consumption across all tracked regions.

What is Sulphur Price in August 2026?

Sulphur prices held close to Q1 2026 levels through August 2026, tracking regional refinery and gas processing output differentials, as steady fertilizer and battery material demand continued to support the market across all tracked regions.

• APAC (India/China): Indian sulphur prices held near USD 0.61 to USD 0.67 per KG, close to the USD 0.64 per KG recorded in Q1 2026 and the highest among tracked markets, while Chinese prices held near USD 0.57 to USD 0.63 per KG, close to the USD 0.60 per KG level, both on strong phosphate fertilizer demand.
• Middle East (Saudi Arabia): Saudi Arabian sulphur prices held near USD 0.29 to USD 0.33 per KG, close to the USD 0.31 per KG recorded in Q1 2026, as steady export availability continued to support the region's pricing.
• North America: US sulphur prices held near USD 0.27 to USD 0.29 per KG, the most competitively priced tracked market, close to the USD 0.28 per KG recorded in Q1 2026, as ample domestic refinery and gas processing recovery volumes continued to anchor pricing.

Sulphur Price Forecast for 2026

The balance of supply and demand for sulphur through the rest of 2026 leans firm. Middle East export disruptions from the Strait of Hormuz closure constrained roughly 25% of globally traded seaborne sulphur, and Russian refinery disruptions further reduced supply. Demand from Chinese lithium iron phosphate battery producers and Indonesian nickel hydrometallurgy plants remains strong. The main upside risk is continued supply disruption and accelerating battery sector demand. The main downside risk is a Middle East ceasefire that reopens export routes and eases the supply shortfall.

For the Quarter Ending March 2026

Sulphur Prices Q1 2026:

• United States: USD 0.28/KG
• China: USD 0.60/KG
• India: USD 0.64/KG
• Saudi Arabia: USD 0.31/KG

Sulphur Prices in the United States

US sulphur prices averaged USD 0.28/KG in Q1 2026, up 21.7% from USD 0.23/KG in Q4 2025. Global supply tightness from Middle East export disruptions transmitted into higher North American prices despite strong domestic refinery and gas processing output. Downstream demand from fertiliser manufacturers accelerated spring-season contract volumes, supporting the gain.

Why did the price of Sulphur change in Q1 2026 in the United States?

Global supply tightness from Middle East Strait of Hormuz disruptions transmitted into higher North American benchmarks. Spring-season fertiliser procurement accelerated buying volumes from phosphate producers. Domestic production remained steady but proved insufficient to fully insulate the market from international price movements.

Sulphur Prices in China

Chinese sulphur prices averaged USD 0.60/KG in Q1 2026, up 20.0% from USD 0.50/KG in Q4 2025. Tightening import availability from Middle East disruptions amplified the supply shortage for the world’s largest sulphur importer. Firm demand from lithium iron phosphate battery producers and phosphate fertiliser manufacturers sustained strong procurement through the quarter.

Why did the price of Sulphur change in Q1 2026 in China?

Middle East export disruptions tightened import availability for China’s large sulphur supply deficit. Firm lithium iron phosphate battery sector demand sustained consistent procurement from downstream chemical producers. Supply constraints intensified by Russian refinery disruptions further reduced available import cargoes.

Sulphur Prices in India

Indian sulphur prices averaged USD 0.64/KG in Q1 2026, up 23.1% from USD 0.52/KG in Q4 2025, the highest among the tracked markets. The Strait of Hormuz closure severely constrained sulphur exports from the Middle East, which accounts for the majority of India’s import supply. Firm phosphate fertiliser sector demand ahead of the spring planting season kept procurement active despite elevated import costs.

Why did the price of Sulphur change in Q1 2026 in India?

The Strait of Hormuz closure constrained supply from the dominant Middle East import origin, sharply reducing cargo availability for India. Freight and insurance premiums elevated landed import costs substantially. Firm fertiliser sector procurement ahead of spring planting sustained buying, reinforcing the sharp quarterly gain.

Sulphur Prices in Saudi Arabia

Saudi Arabian sulphur export prices averaged USD 0.31/KG in Q1 2026, up 10.7% from USD 0.28/KG in Q4 2025. Export liftings tightened as geopolitical disruptions raised shipping risk and war-risk premiums across Gulf routes. Firm global demand from Asian fertiliser and battery producers supported the strengthening FOB export price.

Why did the price of Sulphur change in Q1 2026 in Saudi Arabia?

Geopolitical shipping disruptions raised war-risk premiums, reducing cargo liftings and tightening regional export availability. Firm Asian demand from fertiliser and battery producers supported firmer FOB export pricing. The global supply tightness reinforced sellers maintained firm pricing through the quarter.

For the Quarter Ending December 2025

Sulphur Prices Q4 2025:

• United States: USD 0.23/KG
• China: USD 0.50/KG
• India: USD 0.52/KG
• Saudi Arabia: USD 0.28/KG

Sulphur Prices in the United States

US sulphur prices averaged USD 0.23/KG in Q4 2025, surging from the Q3 level as global supply tightness transmitted into North American markets. Domestic refinery and gas processing output remained stable, but export pricing from Middle Eastern and Canadian origins firmed sharply, lifting the US benchmark from multi-quarter lows to near USD 0.23/KG.

Why did the price of Sulphur change in Q4 2025 in the United States?

Global supply tightness from Russian refinery disruptions and reduced Middle East export volumes lifted North American benchmarks sharply. Seasonal phosphate fertiliser demand ahead of spring preparations sustained buying near USD 0.23/KG.

Sulphur Prices in China

Chinese sulphur prices averaged USD 0.50/KG in Q4 2025, the quarter’s most dramatic surge. Reduced Russian refinery output cut a major export source, while Middle Eastern supply proved insufficient to offset the deficit. Firm demand from lithium iron phosphate battery and phosphate fertiliser sectors sustained strong procurement, driving prices to multi-year highs.

Why did the price of Sulphur change in Q4 2025 in China?

Reduced Russian refinery output cut a major sulphur export source for China. Firm lithium iron phosphate battery sector demand sustained strong procurement activity throughout the quarter. Middle East export flows proved insufficient to offset the Russian supply shortfall, driving prices to multi-year highs near USD 0.50/KG.

Sulphur Prices in India

Indian sulphur prices averaged USD 0.52/KG in Q4 2025, surging sharply on the quarter. Import availability from Middle East origins tightened as global demand absorbed most export cargoes. Firm phosphate fertiliser demand ahead of the rabi cropping season sustained procurement, lifting prices to near USD 0.52/KG.

Why did the price of Sulphur change in Q4 2025 in India?

Tightening Middle East import availability reduced cargo options for India’s import-dependent market. Firm rabi season fertiliser procurement sustained strong buying. Global supply shortages from Russian and Middle East disruptions drove India’s prices to their highest quarterly level.

Sulphur Prices in Saudi Arabia

Saudi Arabian sulphur export prices averaged USD 0.28/KG in Q4 2025, surging sharply on the quarter. Strong Asian demand and reduced Russian competition lifted FOB export prices to multi-year highs. Export allocations tightened as buyers from China, India, and Southeast Asia competed aggressively for available cargoes.

Why did the price of Sulphur change in Q4 2025 in Saudi Arabia?

Reduced Russian export competition improved the competitive position of Middle Eastern exporters. Strong Asian buying from fertiliser and battery sectors competed aggressively for available cargoes, lifting FOB prices sharply near USD 0.28/KG.

Quarterly Sulphur Price Trends

Global sulphur prices followed a distinctive arc across the six-quarter window: modest gains in the first half, a brief Q3 2025 softening, then a massive Q4 2025 surge that continued into Q1 2026. The average rose from USD 0.168/KG in Q1 2025 to USD 0.182/KG in Q2, dipped briefly to USD 0.178/KG in Q3, then surged to USD 0.383/KG in Q4 and USD 0.458/KG in Q1 2026. The net gain across the window was about 172.6%, reflecting the third global sulphur supercycle driven by new energy sector demand and supply disruptions.

What was Sulphur Price in 2025?

Sulphur prices surged dramatically through 2025, marking the third major supercycle in the industry’s modern history. The global average opened at USD 0.168/KG in Q1 and closed near USD 0.383/KG in Q4, a full-year gain of about 128.0%. Three forces shaped the year. Rapid growth in Chinese lithium iron phosphate battery production created a step-change in demand, Russian refinery disruptions in Q4 reduced a major export source by an estimated one million tonnes, and Indonesian nickel hydrometallurgy expansion added further demand pressure.

Sulphur Prices in the United States in 2025

US prices rose from about USD 0.13/KG in Q1 2025 to USD 0.23/KG by Q4, a gain of 76.9%. The United States benefited from strong domestic refinery and gas processing output that limited price spikes compared to importing regions. However, global tightness in Q4 transmitted into elevated North American benchmarks.

Sulphur Prices in China in 2025

Chinese prices surged from roughly USD 0.22/KG in Q1 2025 to USD 0.50/KG by Q4, a gain of 127.3%. As the world’s largest sulphur importer, China was fully exposed to the global supply tightness. Battery material and fertiliser demand drove consistent procurement throughout the year, with the Q4 supply disruption amplifying the already elevated trend.

Sulphur Prices in India in 2025

Indian prices surged from roughly USD 0.18/KG in Q1 2025 to USD 0.52/KG by Q4, a gain of 188.9%, the steepest in the dataset. Full import dependency exposed India to both the supply shortage and elevated freight premiums. Firm phosphate fertiliser demand from the government-supported agricultural sector sustained buying through all four quarters.

Sulphur Prices in Saudi Arabia in 2025

Saudi Arabian export prices rose from about USD 0.14/KG in Q1 2025 to USD 0.28/KG by Q4, a gain of 100.0%. Middle Eastern producers benefited from improved export pricing as Russian supply declined. Strong Asian demand provided consistent buyer competition for available cargoes throughout the year.

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Expert Market Research: Your Source for Real-Time Sulphur Price Intelligence

Expert Market Research tracks sulphur prices continuously across every major producing and consuming region. We explain not just that prices moved, but precisely why. The team traces causation through refinery and gas processing throughput rates, fertiliser and battery material sector demand, and Middle East and Russian export dynamics. Contact Expert Market Research today for sulphur pricing data, bespoke market analysis, and strategic procurement advisory.