Dublin, Aug. 20, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — The “Sulfur Fertilizer – Market Share Analysis, Industry Trends & Statistics, Growth Forecasts (2026-2031)” report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com’s offering.
Sulfur Fertilizers Market to Reach USD 6.67 Billion by 2031 as Soil Nutrient Deficiencies Intensify
The global sulfur fertilizers market is estimated to reach USD 5.34 billion in 2026, up from USD 5.10 billion in 2025. The market is projected to expand at a compound annual growth rate of 4.58% from 2026 to 2031, reaching USD 6.67 billion by the end of the forecast period. Growth is being supported by declining sulfur levels in agricultural soils, expanding oilseed cultivation, precision farming practices, and rising demand for balanced crop nutrition.
Declining Soil Sulfur Levels Drive Fertilizer Demand
Soil tests indicate that sulfur levels have fallen by 30% to 50% during the past three decades, partly because air-quality regulations have reduced sulfate aerosol deposition. Sulfur has consequently become one of the most yield-limiting crop nutrients after nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium.
Applications of 30 to 45 kilograms of sulfur per hectare have been associated with wheat yield improvements of 15% to 25%, alongside higher grain protein levels. Intensively cultivated areas with low organic matter are particularly vulnerable to sulfur depletion. In addition, shifting rainfall patterns can increase leaching losses, making annual sulfur supplementation increasingly important for maintaining crop performance.
Precision agriculture is strengthening this trend. Site-specific soil tests, remote sensing, and yield-monitoring systems allow growers to identify nutrient deficiencies before planting and apply sulfur more accurately. Commercial corn farms have recorded localized yield declines of up to 18% when leaf sulfur concentrations fall below 0.2%, highlighting the potential financial consequences of inadequate nutrient management.
Expanding Oilseed Production Supports Market Growth
Oilseed crops, including canola and soybean, require significantly more sulfur relative to nitrogen than many cereal crops. As global oilseed acreage expands, demand for sulfate fertilizers, elemental sulfur, and high-sulfur nutrient blends is expected to increase.
Field trials in Missouri found that applying 100 pounds of ammonium sulfate generated soybean yield gains of 8.1 bushels per acre and an estimated profit improvement of USD 80 per acre after input costs. Global canola acreage is also projected to increase by approximately 1.8 million hectares by 2030, strengthening sulfur fertilizer demand in major producing markets such as Canada and Australia. Higher-protein crop varieties are further connecting seed genetics with more targeted sulfur nutrition programs.
Sulfate Fertilizers Maintain Market Leadership
Sulfate fertilizers, including ammonium sulfate, potassium sulfate, and single superphosphate, accounted for 50.45% of global market revenue in 2025. Their immediate availability to plants and compatibility with established fertilizer-blending systems support continued adoption.
Elemental sulfur is forecast to grow at a faster 6.39% CAGR. Its high nutrient concentration can reduce freight costs, while controlled oxidation supports precision nutrient programs. Micronized and pastilled sulfur products are shortening oxidation times and expanding use in short-season crops. Growers are also adopting split-application strategies that use sulfate sulfur for early crop development and elemental sulfur for sustained nutrient release.
Solid sulfur fertilizers retained a 69.25% market share in 2025 because of their storage efficiency, shelf life, and compatibility with conventional spreaders. Liquid sulfur fertilizers, however, are projected to grow at a 6.95% CAGR as fertigation and foliar application gain momentum in high-value agriculture. Ammonium thiosulfate is benefiting from its compatibility with nitrogen solutions and pesticides, enabling efficient single-pass applications.
Regional Sulfur Fertilizers Market Outlook
Asia-Pacific led the global sulfur fertilizers market with a 36.55% share in 2025 and is forecast to grow at a 5.35% CAGR through 2031. Balanced nutrient programs in China, soil-health initiatives in India, and demand from palm oil and double-cropped rice production in Southeast Asia are supporting regional expansion.
Africa is projected to be the fastest-growing regional market, advancing at a 6.15% CAGR. Government fertilizer subsidies, agricultural extension services, domestic production projects, and new blending hubs are improving access to sulfur-based crop nutrition. Distribution constraints remain, but infrastructure investments are expected to strengthen last-mile availability.
North America is forecast to grow at a steady 3.94% CAGR, supported by recovered sulfur supplies, precision agronomy, cover crops, and sustainability-focused farming. Europe is expected to register a 3.07% CAGR as growers seek to protect crop yields and protein levels while complying with stringent environmental and water-quality requirements.
Although multi-nutrient specialty fertilizers may limit demand for standalone sulfur products, the broader transition toward integrated crop nutrition is creating opportunities for sulfur-enriched blends, controlled-release products, and application-specific formulations. Continued innovation in particle consistency, oxidation performance, liquid delivery, and precision application is expected to shape the sulfur fertilizers market through 2031.
Key Topics Covered:
1 Introduction
1.1 Study Assumptions and Market Definition
1.2 Scope of the Study
2 Research Methodology
3 Executive Summary
4 Market Landscape
4.1 Market Overview
4.2 Market Drivers
4.2.1 Sulfur deficiency in soil
4.2.2 Rising oilseed acreage and yields
4.2.3 Government incentives for sustainable agriculture
4.2.4 Adoption of controlled-release sulfur-coated urea
4.2.5 Increasing availability of recovered sulfur from desulfurization units
4.2.6 AI-based precision nutrient application platforms
4.3 Market Restraints
4.3.1 Competition from multi-nutrient specialty fertilizers
4.3.2 Volatility in elemental sulfur feedstock prices
4.3.3 Environmental risk of sulfate leaching into groundwater
4.3.4 Distribution bottlenecks for prilled elemental sulfur in emerging markets
4.4 Regulatory Landscape
4.5 Technological Outlook
4.6 Porter’s Five Forces Analysis
4.6.1 Threat of New Entrants
4.6.2 Bargaining Power of Buyers
4.6.3 Bargaining Power of Suppliers
4.6.4 Threat of Substitute Products
4.6.5 Intensity of Competitive Rivalry
5 Market Size and Growth Forecasts (Value, USD)
5.1 By Type
5.1.1 Sulfate Fertilizers
5.1.1.1 Ammonium Sulfate
5.1.1.2 Potassium Sulfate
5.1.1.3 Calcium Sulfate (Gypsum)
5.1.1.4 Single Superphosphate
5.1.2 Elemental Sulfur
5.1.2.1 Micronized Sulfur
5.1.2.2 Prilled/Pastilled Sulfur
5.1.3 Sulfate of Micronutrients
5.1.3.1 Zinc Sulfate
5.1.3.2 Magnesium Sulfate
5.1.3.3 Others
5.1.4 Others (Sulfur-coated Urea, Sulfur Bentonite)
5.2 By Form
5.2.1 Solid
5.2.2 Liquid
5.3 By Mode of Application
5.3.1 Soil Application
5.3.2 Fertigation
5.3.3 Foliar Spray
5.3.4 Controlled-Release/Coated Granules
5.4 By Crop Type
5.4.1 Cereals and Grains
5.4.2 Oilseeds and Pulses
5.4.3 Fruits and Vegetables
5.4.4 Turf and Ornamentals
5.4.5 Others
5.5 By Distribution Channel
5.5.1 Direct-to-Farm
5.5.2 Retail Dealers
5.5.3 Cooperatives
5.5.4 Online Platforms
5.6 By Geography
5.6.1 North America
5.6.1.1 United States
5.6.1.2 Canada
5.6.1.3 Mexico
5.6.1.4 Rest of North America
5.6.2 Europe
5.6.2.1 Germany
5.6.2.2 United Kingdom
5.6.2.3 France
5.6.2.4 Russia
5.6.2.5 Spain
5.6.2.6 Rest of Europe
5.6.3 Asia-Pacific
5.6.3.1 China
5.6.3.2 Japan
5.6.3.3 India
5.6.3.4 South Korea
5.6.3.5 Rest of Asia-Pacific
5.6.4 South America
5.6.4.1 Brazil
5.6.4.2 Argentina
5.6.4.3 Rest of South America
5.6.5 Middle East
5.6.5.1 Saudi Arabia
5.6.5.2 United Arab Emirates
5.6.5.3 Rest of Middle East
5.6.6 Africa
5.6.6.1 South Africa
5.6.6.2 Egypt
5.6.6.3 Rest of Africa
6 Competitive Landscape
6.1 Market Concentration
6.2 Strategic Moves
6.3 Market Share Analysis
6.4 Company Profiles (includes Global level Overview, Market level overview, Core Segments, Financials as available, Strategic Information, Market Rank/Share for key companies, Products and Services, and Recent Developments)
6.4.1 Nutrien Ltd.
6.4.2 Yara International ASA
6.4.3 The Mosaic Company
6.4.4 K+S AG
6.4.5 Israel Chemicals Ltd.
6.4.6 Haifa Chemicals Ltd.
6.4.7 Nufarm Limited
6.4.8 Koch Industries Inc.
6.4.9 CF Industries Holdings Inc.
6.4.10 OCP S.A.
6.4.11 BASF SE
6.4.12 Sinochem Holdings Corp. Ltd.
6.4.13 Saudi Arabian Fertilizer Company (SAFCO) (Saudi Basic Industries Corporation (SABIC))
6.4.14 Tiger-Sul Products LLC (Tessenderlo Group)
6.4.15 TogliattiAzot PJSC (Uralchem Group)
7 Market Opportunities and Future Outlook
For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/6afsmv
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