Middle East: Sulphur Market 2022

Sulphur Market Size in the Middle East

The Middle Eastern sulphur market was finally on the rise to reach $X in 2020, after three years of decline. Over the period under review, consumption recorded a relatively flat trend pattern. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2012 when the market value increased by X% year-to-year. As a result, consumption attained the peak level of $X. from 2013 to 2020, the growth of the market remained at a lower figure.

Sulphur Production in the Middle East

In value terms, sulphur production expanded modestly to $X in 2020 estimated in export prices. In general, production saw a relatively flat trend pattern. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2011 when the production volume increased by X% against the previous year. Over the period under review, production attained the peak level at $X in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2020, production remained at a lower figure.

Production By Country in the Middle East

The countries with the highest volumes of sulphur production in 2020 were Turkey (X tonnes), Iran (X tonnes) and Iraq (X tonnes), with a combined X% share of total production. These countries were followed by Syrian Arab Republic, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Kuwait and Jordan, which together accounted for a further X 2007 to 2020, the most notable rate of growth in terms of sulphur production, amongst the key producing countries, was attained by Jordan, while sulphur production for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Sulphur Exports

Exports in the Middle East

In 2020, shipments abroad of sulphur (sublimed or precipitated) and colloidal sulphur decreased by -X% to X tonnes, falling for the second year in a row after two years of growth. Over the period under review, exports, however, showed a measured increase. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2014 with an increase of X% against the previous year. The volume of export peaked at X tonnes in 2011; however, from 2012 to 2020, exports remained at a lower figure.

In value terms, sulphur exports reduced remarkably to $X in 2020. Overall, exports, however, showed a mild shrinkage. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2014 with an increase of X% against the previous year. Over the period under review, exports hit record highs at $X in 2011; however, from 2012 to 2020, exports failed to regain the momentum.

Exports by Country

In 2020, Iran (X tonnes) represented the largest exporter of sulphur (sublimed or precipitated) and colloidal sulphur, making up X% of total exports. Turkey (X tonnes) ranks second in terms of the total exports with a X% share, followed by Saudi Arabia (X%). Bahrain (X tonnes) followed a long way behind the leaders.

Iran was also the fastest-growing in terms of the sulphur (sublimed or precipitated) and colloidal sulphur exports, with a CAGR of +X% from 2007 to 2020. At the same time, Turkey (+X%) and Saudi Arabia (+X%) displayed positive paces of growth. By contrast, Bahrain (-X%) illustrated a downward trend over the same period. While the share of Iran (+X p.p.) increased significantly in terms of the total exports from 2007-2020, the share of Turkey (-X p.p.), Saudi Arabia (-X p.p.) and Bahrain (-X p.p.) displayed negative dynamics.

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

In terms of the main exporting countries, Iran recorded the highest rates of growth with regard to the value of exports, over the period under review, while shipments for the other leaders experienced mixed trends in the exports figures.

Export Prices by Country

In 2020, the sulphur export price in the Middle East amounted to $X per tonne, which is down by -X% against the previous year. Overall, the export price showed a noticeable contraction. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2016 when the export price increased by X% against the previous year. Over the period under review, export prices attained the peak figure at $X per tonne in 2007; however, from 2008 to 2020, export prices failed to regain the momentum.

Prices varied noticeably by the country of origin; the country with the highest price was Bahrain ($X per tonne), while Turkey ($X per tonne) was amongst the lowest.

From 2007 to 2020, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Bahrain, while the other leaders experienced mixed trends in the export price figures.

Sulphur Imports

Imports in the Middle East

In 2020, supplies from abroad of sulphur (sublimed or precipitated) and colloidal sulphur decreased by -X% to X tonnes, falling for the second year in a row after three years of growth. Over the period under review, imports showed a pronounced contraction. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2016 when imports increased by X% against the previous year. Over the period under review, imports hit record highs at X tonnes in 2007; however, from 2008 to 2020, imports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

In value terms, sulphur imports dropped rapidly to $X in 2020. In general, imports continue to indicate a perceptible descent. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2016 when imports increased by X% y-o-y. Over the period under review, imports reached the maximum at $X in 2010; however, from 2011 to 2020, imports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Imports by Country

Iran represented the key importing country with an import of around X tonnes, which accounted for X% of total imports. Turkey (X tonnes) held a X% share (based on tonnes) of total imports, which put it in second place, followed by Lebanon (X%), Israel (X%) and the United Arab Emirates (X%). Syrian Arab Republic (X tonnes) followed a long way behind the leaders.

From 2007 to 2020, the biggest increases were in Lebanon, while purchases for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, Iran ($X) constitutes the largest market for imported sulphur (sublimed or precipitated) and colloidal sulphur in the Middle East, comprising X% of total imports. The second position in the ranking was occupied by Israel ($X), with a X% share of total imports. It was followed by the United Arab Emirates, with a X% share.

From 2007 to 2020, the average annual rate of growth in terms of value in Iran was relatively modest. In the other countries, the average annual rates were as follows: Israel (+X% per year) and the United Arab Emirates (+X% per year).

Import Prices by Country

In 2020, the sulphur import price in the Middle East amounted to $X per tonne, which is down by -X% against the previous year. Import price indicated a mild increase from 2007 to 2020: its price increased at an average annual rate of +X% over the last thirteen-year period. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2008 an increase of X% y-o-y. Over the period under review, import prices attained the peak figure at $X per tonne in 2010; however, from 2011 to 2020, import prices failed to regain the momentum.

Prices varied noticeably by the country of destination; the country with the highest price was Israel ($X per tonne), while Turkey ($X per tonne) was amongst the lowest.

From 2007 to 2020, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Israel, while the other leaders experienced mixed trends in the import price figures.

Source: IndexBox Platform