Kuwait Petroleum Corporation (KPC), Kuwait’s state-owned sulphur producer, has announced its June sulphur FOB price at USD 805 per ton, marking an increase of USD 40 per ton compared with the May FOB price of USD 765 per ton.
According to freight market data as of May 28, ocean freight rates for vessels carrying 30,000–35,000 metric tons of sulphur to major Chinese ports ranged between USD 154 and USD 170 per ton. Based on these freight levels, the estimated CFR China price is currently between USD 959 and USD 975 per ton.
Market participants also expect marine insurance premiums to increase further in line with rising delivery costs and shipment risk assessments.
The Ukrainian Agribusiness Club (UCAB) has warned that the country is experiencing a significant shortage of nitrogen fertilizers. According to UCAB CEO Oleg Khomenko, domestic nitrogen fertilizer production declined from 2.1 million metric tons in 2023 to approximately 1.6 million metric tons in 2025.
Khomenko noted that fertilizer expenses traditionally account for 20%–30% of total crop production costs. However, for some crop varieties, fertilizer costs have recently increased to nearly 50% of overall cultivation expenditures.
UCAB estimates that the ongoing fertilizer shortage could reduce grain yields by 15%–20%, potentially resulting in export revenue losses of between USD 4 billion and USD 5 billion. Additionally, government tax revenues could decline by an estimated USD 800 million to USD 1 billion.
The increase in sulphur prices and tightening fertilizer supply continue to influence global agricultural input markets. Rising raw material costs may place additional pressure on fertilizer manufacturers, while supply shortages could impact crop productivity and agricultural exports in key producing regions.
Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and should not be considered investment advice. Information is based on publicly available market sources. Readers should independently verify data before making commercial or investment decisions.
