Salient Sulfur Statistics

This table presents key quantitative and economic data on sulfur production, shipments, trade, consumption, and pricing in the United States from 2019 through 2023, alongside global production figures. Sulfur is a critical industrial mineral used primarily in the manufacture of sulfuric acid, fertilizers, chemicals, and petroleum refining. Tracking these statistics helps gauge the health and trends of industries reliant on sulfur, informs supply chain assessments, and supports policy and economic planning related to mineral resources and trade balance.

Analysis of the data reveals that U.S. recovered sulfur production remained relatively stable from 2019 to 2023, fluctuating between 7.3 and 8.1 million metric tons, with a slight increase to 8.01 million tons in 2023. Total sulfur shipments closely mirrored production, reaching 8.66 million tons in 2023. Notably, elemental sulfur exports rebounded from a low of 1.33 million tons in 2020 to 1.92 million tons in 2023, indicating a recovery in international demand after pandemic-related disruptions. Imports of elemental sulfur decreased from a peak of 2.37 million tons in 2021 to 1.46 million tons in 2023, suggesting improved domestic supply or shifting trade patterns. Apparent consumption showed a modest decline in 2023 to 9.22 million tons after peaking near 9.94 million tons in 2020. The average free-on-board price for elemental sulfur exhibited significant volatility, soaring from $24.90 per ton in 2020 to $177.80 in 2022 before falling back to $58.90 in 2023, reflecting market fluctuations. Globally, sulfur production increased steadily to 85.8 million tons in 2023, underscoring sulfur’s ongoing importance worldwide.