Apparent Consumption Of Sulfur In The United States By Type

This table presents detailed data on the apparent consumption of sulfur in the United States, categorized by type, including elemental sulfur and byproduct sulfuric acid. Apparent consumption is calculated by taking shipments, subtracting exports, and adding imports, providing a comprehensive view of domestic sulfur usage. This information is critical for understanding the supply and demand dynamics of sulfur, a key industrial mineral used extensively in fertilizer production, chemical manufacturing, and petroleum refining. Tracking these figures helps policymakers, industry stakeholders, and analysts gauge economic activity, resource availability, and potential market shifts within the sulfur sector.

Analysis of the data reveals that in 2023, the apparent consumption of elemental sulfur slightly decreased to 7,560 thousand metric tons from 7,920 thousand metric tons in 2022, despite a marginal increase in shipments from 7,990 to 8,020 thousand metric tons. This decline is primarily due to a rise in exports from 1,740 to 1,920 thousand metric tons and a reduction in imports from 1,670 to 1,460 thousand metric tons. For byproduct sulfuric acid, apparent consumption increased modestly from 1,600 to 1,670 thousand metric tons, supported by a slight rise in shipments and imports, although exports fell from 97 to 64 thousand metric tons. Overall, total sulfur consumption in the U.S. decreased from 9,520 to 9,220 thousand metric tons, indicating a subtle shift in sulfur market dynamics that may reflect changes in industrial demand or trade patterns.