Sulphur Shortage on the Global Market Could Affect Food Prices
Amul Info ·
Declining supplies of industrial sulphur and rising demand on the global market could contribute to higher food prices, according to Gazeta.ru, citing the Financial Times.
Declining stocks of industrial sulphur on the global market and rising demand could lead to higher food prices. This was reported by Gazeta.ru, citing the Financial Times .
According to the publication, disruptions to transport routes through the Strait of Hormuz have adversely affected supplies of sulphur, a by-product of the oil and gas industry. Sulphuric acid is widely used in the production of phosphate fertilisers. A shortage of this raw material could therefore affect fertiliser production and, in turn, agricultural costs.
Tensions in the Middle East have forced some producers to reduce output. Under these conditions, competition between manufacturers and mining companies to purchase industrial sulphur is also intensifying.
The report notes that before the conflict in the Middle East began, the region accounted for nearly half of global sulphur exports. Russia’s suspension of sulphur exports until the end of 2026 and China’s introduction of restrictions on sulphuric acid exports are also putting additional pressure on market supplies.
As a result, sulphur and sulphuric acid prices have reached record levels. Higher raw material costs could increase the production costs of phosphate fertilisers and affect the cost of agricultural products.
However, the extent to which rising fertiliser prices will affect retail food prices will continue to depend on other economic factors, production costs and market supply conditions.