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Sulphur 424 May-Jun 2026

21 May 2026

Turkey bans sulphur exports to Q3

TURKEY

Turkey bans sulphur exports to Q3

Turkey has prohibited exports of sulphur under GTP 2503 from 7 April through the second and third quarters of 2026, according to a 6 April communication from the Ministry of Commerce. The measure does not apply to customs declarations lodged before 7 April. The restriction followed a request from the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, which said sulphur prices had risen by 35-40% and that supply had tightened for fertilizer production, including AS, DAP and other compound fertilizers. The General Directorate of Exports will review any exceptional cases arising during implementation.

The measure is expected to tighten the sulphur supply in the Mediterranean. Market participants said Tupras’ regular 8,000 t export tender is now on hold. Turkey exported around 91,200 tonnes in Q2 2025 and 70,800 tonnes in Q3, according to GTT, with the majority going to the Mediterranean.

Latest in Industrial

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.

Price Trends

Sulphur continued to break historic records in most key international markets at the start of May as the scarcity of spot supply propelled prices higher, which triggered production cuts at some downstream markets, and increased costs in other industrial sectors. The effective blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, which halted the flow of Middle East supply, has forced desperate buyers to compete for the limited available spot cargoes, primarily from North America. Although fresh transactions were limited, export and delivered prices climbed higher, and market sentiment remained jittery. QatarEnergy hiked its sulphur price to $740/t f.o.b., a new record high for this contract since its inception in August 2013.