The sulphur price per ton moved sharply again this month, and Gulf producers no longer agree on where it should sit. This page tracks current rates, delivered costs and the forces behind them. We update it monthly.
Last updated: August 2026
Current sulphur price per ton: August 2026
Two Gulf producers set the benchmark each month. This month they diverged by $135.
- Kuwait (KPC): $865 per tonne FOB Kuwait — down $85 from July
- Abu Dhabi (Adnoc): $1,000 per tonne FOB Ruwais — unchanged from July
Both figures are official selling prices, published in the first week of the month by Argus Media. They are producer postings rather than cleared market trades.
Delivered rates by destination
FOB is only the starting point. Freight and insurance decide what you actually pay.
- CFR India (east coast): approximately $1,140 per tonne, on freight of $140 to $142 for a 40,000 to 45,000 tonne parcel
- CFR China: approximately $1,065 to $1,070 per tonne on smaller 30,000 to 35,000 tonne vessels
Note the gap between FOB and delivered. Freight and war risk premiums together can reach $200 per tonne for vessels entering the Strait of Hormuz.
On a 30,000 tonne cargo, that premium alone is $6 million. Our guide to war risk insurance in commodity shipping explains how it is priced and who carries it.
Why the sulphur price per ton is this high
Normal trading range for granular sulphur sits between $80 and $180 per tonne. Current levels are several times that.
Four supply constraints are stacked on top of each other.
- Gulf disruption. Roughly half of globally traded sulphur originates in the region, and shipping has been constrained since February.
- Russian export ban. Extended through the end of 2026, covering liquid, granular and lump sulphur.
- Turkish export ban. In force since April, running through the third quarter.
- Chinese restrictions. Sulphuric acid exports fell sharply as Beijing moved from quotas to a halt.
Sulphur is a byproduct of oil and gas refining. Consequently, production cannot simply be increased when prices rise — output depends on refinery throughput, not on sulphur demand.
Urea prices for comparison
Buyers often track both together, since sulphur and urea feed the same fertiliser supply chain.
Urea has been far more volatile. It opened 2026 around $350 to $450 per tonne, spiked above $680 in the spring, then corrected sharply when China reopened its export window. India’s June tender cleared near $445.
That correction is policy-driven rather than structural. Our urea price forecast for 2026 explains why Chinese export decisions matter more than fundamentals right now.
How to read a sulphur quote
Before comparing two offers, confirm you are comparing the same thing. Ask four questions.
- Is this FOB or CFR? A $135 gap at FOB can disappear once freight is added.
- Does the figure include war risk cover, or is that billed separately at shipment?
- What vessel size does the freight assume? Rates per tonne fall as parcels grow.
- Which month does the posting apply to, and when is the laycan?
A seller who cannot answer these clearly may not hold allocation. See our note on how official selling prices work.
Outlook
Kuwait’s cut suggests one major producer expects softer demand. Adnoc’s rollover suggests the Indian market disagrees.
Meanwhile the export bans in Russia and Turkey run into the fourth quarter at the earliest. Therefore a single month’s cut does not establish a downward trend.
Buyers with fourth quarter requirements should treat current levels as the working assumption rather than waiting for a return to historical ranges.
Get a delivered quote
We quote granular sulphur on a delivered basis with freight and insurance itemised separately, so the number you see is the number you pay.
- Granular sulphur, agricultural and industrial grade
- Gulf and non-Gulf origins, depending on your routing preference
- Independent pre-shipment inspection on every cargo
- Confirmed irrevocable letter of credit terms only
- No upfront costs to buyers at any stage
Send your volume, grade and destination port. We respond within 24 hours. Contact our team or email sales@ruwadaltasaheel.com.
Frequently asked questions
What is the sulphur price per ton today?
As of August 2026, Gulf postings run from $865 per tonne FOB Kuwait to $1,000 per tonne FOB Ruwais. Delivered rates to India and China sit between $1,065 and $1,140 depending on freight and vessel size.
Why do two Gulf producers post different prices?
Each targets different destination markets. Kuwait sells heavily into China while Adnoc supplies the Indian subcontinent, and demand in those markets rarely moves together.
Will sulphur prices return to historical levels?
Not while the current export bans hold. Russia is closed through December and Turkey through the third quarter, which removes a large share of alternative supply from the market.