Who buys sulphur in South Africa?

The phosphoric acid and fertiliser complex at Richards Bay is the largest buyer by far and tenders for bulk cargoes. Other sulphur burners, mining and chemical users take smaller parcels, some of them bagged through Durban, and some cargo moves on in transit to Zambia and the DR Congo. CBIL quotes private buyers and suppliers with a named requirement and does not bid in state-enterprise tenders.

What happened to demand in 2026?

It fell with supply. Imports in January to May were 68% lower than a year earlier, MAP granulation at Richards Bay stopped in March and the acid plant suspended operations because sulphur and ammonia costs had risen sharply. A restart depends on feedstock price, so the requirement returns in cargo-sized steps, not gradually.

Which origins can replace Gulf sulphur?

Oman, which was South Africa's largest origin in 2024 and loads at Duqm and Sohar outside the strait; the Saudi Red Sea ports, where each lifting is confirmed with the terminal at the time of fixing; and India. Each offer names the producer and load port.

What parcel sizes are workable?

Handysize and Supramax lots of 20,000 to 40,000 t in bulk into Richards Bay. Inland users taking a few hundred tonnes a month are served in 1 t jumbo bags through Durban, priced and certified separately.

Can CBIL also fix the ship?

Yes. Our chartering desk, LaycanDesk, prices Handysize and Supramax tonnage from Oman and the Red Sea to Richards Bay, so a CFR and an FOB figure can be shown side by side.

Southern Africa · South Africa

Sulphur Suppliers CFR Richards Bay, South Africa

Sulphur for phosphoric acid at Richards Bay and for acid users inland, 89% of it from inside the Gulf

South Africa declared 383,000 t of sulphur imports in 2025 at USD 112 million, about USD 291 per tonne, after 553,000 t in 2024. Saudi Arabia supplied 39% of the 2025 tonnage, Qatar 18%, Kuwait 16%, the UAE 15% and Oman 10%, so 89% loaded inside the Gulf; in 2024 Oman had been the largest single origin at 31%. The Strait of Hormuz has been severely restricted since 28 February 2026: loadings inside the Gulf move irregularly and are confirmed cargo by cargo. The principal buyer is the phosphoric acid and fertiliser complex at Richards Bay, which burns sulphur to make the acid that digests Phalaborwa phosphate rock; smaller volumes go to acid users inland and in transit to neighbouring countries. Imports in January to May 2026 were 56,300 t against 174,200 t a year earlier, a fall of 68%. The complex stopped MAP granulation in March 2026 and its acid plant suspended operations as sulphur and ammonia costs rose sharply; it tendered for 35,000 to 50,000 t in March and again for bulk sulphur in June, and its owner said in August that it was working to secure raw materials before the October planting season. Delivered values at southern African ports were USD 980-990 per tonne at the start of October 2026. Sulphur enters South Africa free of duty.

Richards Bay is the sulphur port: cargoes discharge by grab to a bulk facility beside the complex. Durban takes smaller lots and bagged product for inland users. CBIL brokers formed granular sulphur (99.8% min, 2-6 mm, friability at or under 5%) in 20,000 to 40,000 t lots CFR Richards Bay, loading Duqm and Sohar in Oman and India, and the Saudi Red Sea ports subject to confirmation of loading, with SGS or Intertek certification at load and the producing refinery or gas plant named on the certificate of origin. CBIL does not bid in government or state-enterprise tenders; a private buyer or a supplier holding a named requirement that states tonnage, laycan and LC-opening bank gets a firm answer, and one without them gets a question first.

Need the ship as well? Our chartering desk prices salt and sulphur bulk freight on LaycanDesk.

The market in figures

Declared imports: 2025: 383,000 t, USD 112 million, USD 291/t · 2024: 553,000 t
Origins, 2025: Saudi Arabia 39% · Qatar 18% · Kuwait 16% · UAE 15% · Oman 10%
Share from inside the Gulf: 89% (about 28,000 t a month to replace)
January-May 2026: 56,300 t against 174,200 t (-68%); main acid plant operations suspended
2026 delivered value: USD 980-990/t at southern African ports on 1 October
Discharge and duty: Richards Bay bulk facility; Durban for smaller lots · duty free

Landed values are the importing country's declared CIF, not CBIL prices.

Questions buyers ask

Who buys sulphur in South Africa?: The phosphoric acid and fertiliser complex at Richards Bay is the largest buyer by far and tenders for bulk cargoes. Other sulphur burners, mining and chemical users take smaller parcels, some of them bagged through Durban, and some cargo moves on in transit to Zambia and the DR Congo. CBIL quotes private buyers and suppliers with a named requirement and does not bid in state-enterprise tenders.
What happened to demand in 2026?: It fell with supply. Imports in January to May were 68% lower than a year earlier, MAP granulation at Richards Bay stopped in March and the acid plant suspended operations because sulphur and ammonia costs had risen sharply. A restart depends on feedstock price, so the requirement returns in cargo-sized steps, not gradually.
Which origins can replace Gulf sulphur?: Oman, which was South Africa's largest origin in 2024 and loads at Duqm and Sohar outside the strait; the Saudi Red Sea ports, where each lifting is confirmed with the terminal at the time of fixing; and India. Each offer names the producer and load port.
What parcel sizes are workable?: Handysize and Supramax lots of 20,000 to 40,000 t in bulk into Richards Bay. Inland users taking a few hundred tonnes a month are served in 1 t jumbo bags through Durban, priced and certified separately.
Can CBIL also fix the ship?: Yes. Our chartering desk, LaycanDesk, prices Handysize and Supramax tonnage from Oman and the Red Sea to Richards Bay, so a CFR and an FOB figure can be shown side by side.