South Africa: Sulphur Market 2022

Sulphur Market Size in South Africa

For the fourth consecutive year, the South African sulphur market recorded decline in sales value, which decreased by -X% to $X in 2020. Overall, consumption saw a perceptible curtailment. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2009 with an increase of X% year-to-year. Sulphur consumption peaked at $X in 2016; however, from 2017 to 2020, consumption remained at a lower figure.

Sulphur Production in South Africa

In value terms, sulphur production dropped rapidly to $X in 2020 estimated in export prices. Overall, production showed a perceptible decrease. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2009 when the production volume increased by X% against the previous year. Over the period under review, production reached the peak level at $X in 2016; however, from 2017 to 2020, production stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Sulphur Exports

Exports from South Africa

In 2020, overseas shipments of sulphur (sublimed or precipitated) and colloidal sulphur were finally on the rise to reach X tonnes for the first time since 2015, thus ending a four-year declining trend. Over the period under review, exports, however, continue to indicate a sharp decline. Exports peaked at X tonnes in 2007; however, from 2008 to 2020, exports remained at a lower figure.

In value terms, sulphur exports reduced markedly to $X in 2020. In general, exports, however, faced a sharp contraction. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2015 with an increase of X% y-o-y. Exports peaked at $X in 2007; however, from 2008 to 2020, exports failed to regain the momentum.

Exports by Country

The U.S. (X tonnes) was the main destination for sulphur exports from South Africa, with a X% share of total exports. Moreover, sulphur exports to the U.S. exceeded the volume sent to the second major destination, Democratic Republic of the Congo (X tonnes), more than tenfold. Namibia (X tonnes) ranked third in terms of total exports with a X% share.

From 2007 to 2020, the average annual growth rate of volume to the U.S. was relatively modest. Exports to the other major destinations recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: Democratic Republic of the Congo (-X% per year) and Namibia (+X% per year).

In value terms, the U.S. ($X), Zambia ($X) and Namibia ($X) appeared to be the largest markets for sulphur exported from South Africa worldwide, with a combined X% share of total exports.

Among the main countries of destination, Namibia saw the highest growth rate of the value of exports, over the period under review, while shipments for the other leaders experienced mixed trend patterns.

Export Prices by Country

The average sulphur export price stood at $X per tonne in 2020, declining by -X% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the export price recorded a mild downturn. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2019 when the average export price increased by X% year-to-year. As a result, export price reached the peak level of $X per tonne, and then plummeted in the following year.

There were significant differences in the average prices for the major foreign markets. In 2020, the country with the highest price was Zambia ($X per tonne), while the average price for exports to Democratic Republic of the Congo ($X per tonne) was amongst the lowest.

From 2007 to 2020, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was recorded for supplies to Zambia, while the prices for the other major destinations experienced mixed trend patterns.

Sulphur Imports

Imports into South Africa

In 2020, purchases abroad of sulphur (sublimed or precipitated) and colloidal sulphur increased by X% to X tonnes, rising for the second consecutive year after two years of decline. In general, imports continue to indicate a strong expansion. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2010 with an increase of X% y-o-y. Over the period under review, imports attained the peak figure at X tonnes in 2011; however, from 2012 to 2020, imports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

In value terms, sulphur imports shrank slightly to $X in 2020. Overall, imports recorded temperate growth. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2010 when imports increased by X% y-o-y. Imports peaked at $X in 2011; however, from 2012 to 2020, imports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Imports by Country

In 2020, Turkey (X tonnes) was the main supplier of sulphur to South Africa, with a X% share of total imports. Moreover, sulphur imports from Turkey exceeded the figures recorded by the second-largest supplier, India (X tonnes), more than tenfold.

From 2007 to 2020, the average annual growth rate of volume from Turkey totaled +X%. The remaining supplying countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: India (+X% per year) and South Korea (+X% per year).

In value terms, the largest sulphur suppliers to South Africa were Turkey ($X), India ($X) and South Korea ($X), with a combined X% share of total imports.

In terms of the main suppliers, Turkey (+X% per year) saw the highest growth rate of the value of imports, over the period under review, while purchases for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Import Prices by Country

The average sulphur import price stood at $X per tonne in 2020, falling by -X% against the previous year. In general, the import price showed a abrupt contraction. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2009 an increase of X% y-o-y. As a result, import price attained the peak level of $X per tonne. from 2010 to 2020, the growth in terms of the average import prices remained at a somewhat lower figure.

There were significant differences in the average prices amongst the major supplying countries. In 2020, the country with the highest price was India ($X per tonne), while the price for Turkey ($X per tonne) was amongst the lowest.

From 2007 to 2020, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by South Korea, while the prices for the other major suppliers experienced mixed trend patterns.

Source: IndexBox Platform