Chinese customs data reported on September 24, 2026, revealed that China's sulphur imports fell 65 percent year-on-year in August to roughly 277,300 tonnes. The contraction was attributed to maritime logistics disruptions across the Middle East, according to the South China Morning Post.
The resulting supply shortage caused average import prices per tonne to jump nearly 246 percent compared to August of the previous year, representing an approximate 3.5-fold increase. Over the first eight months of 2026, cumulative import volumes dropped by 60 percent, while overall expenditure on sulphur rose by 8.4 percent.
Despite logistical bottlenecks, the United Arab Emirates remained a primary supplier alongside South Korea and Canada. Together, the three nations accounted for 80 percent of China's total sulphur imports in August, as shipments from other Gulf producers—including Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and Oman—fell sharply.
Domestically, Chinese sulphur prices exceeded 7,350 yuan per tonne, squeezing feedstock availability for agricultural phosphate fertiliser manufacturing and chemical refining.
Sources
- UAE-China Chamber of Commerce · 2026-09-26
