Sulphur 424 May-Jun 2026
21 May 2026
Russia extends sulphur export ban to mid-2026
Russia has again extended its ban on the export of industrial sulphur, with the latest decree prolonging the restriction until 30 June 2026. The announcement was made via the government’s press service on 31 March. This decision is aimed at stabilising the supply of raw materials for the domestic market to support the production of phosphate-based fertilizers. The restriction covers the export of liquid, granulated, and lump sulphur.
The extension follows reports in March that Russian fertilizer producers, via the Russian Fertilizer Producers Association (RAPU), had formally requested the government to establish a temporary price cap on sulphur, according to Kommersant. The request was made in response to a sharp rise in domestic prices driven by the ongoing supply shortage. The initial ban was introduced on 1 November 2025, following drone strikes on major natural-gas plants, and was previously extended to the end of March 2026.
Key exemptions to the ban remain, most notably for international transit. This clarification is critical for the market as it allows sulphur from other origins, such as Kazakhstan, to continue being exported through Russian ports. Shipments to fellow EAEU member states are also still permitted.
The extension comes at a time when the global sulphur market is already facing a significant supply deficit, exacerbated by ongoing conflict in the Middle East and related shipping disruptions. This move by a major producer means there will be no near-term relief for an already tight market. Meanwhile, the key transit port of Ust-Luga was subject to repeated drone attacks in late March. Available reports indicate the damage was confined to the oil terminal, with no specific mention of the sulphur terminal being affected.
