세계의 유황비료 시장 규모는 2024년에 59억 달러에 달했습니다. 향후 IMARC Group은 시장이 2033년까지 77억 달러에 달하며, 2025-2033년에 2.82%의 성장률(CAGR)을 보일 것으로 예측하고 있습니다. 유황비료 시장은 주로 환경에 악영향을 미치는 유황 배출을 최소화하기 위한 정부 기관의 적극적인 구상과 원소성 유황이 농축된 NPK 비료의 도입에 의해 주도되고 있습니다.
전략적 파트너십 및 제휴
각국의 주요 기업은 유황비료의 효율성을 높이고 제품 포트폴리오를 확대하기 위해 계약을 체결하고 있습니다. 이것이 시장 성장을 가속하고 있습니다. 예를 들어 모자이크는 2020년 3월 호주 애들레이드대학의 금융기술연구센터(FTRC)와 비료 효율 향상에 중점을 두기로 합의했다고 발표했습니다. 마찬가지로 ICL은 2020년 2월 데이터베이스 농업 혁신 기업인 Growers Holdings Inc.
정부기관의 규제
각국의 규제기관은 보다 효율적인 영양소 사용과 환경 영향 최소화에 초점을 맞추고 있으며, 이는 유황비료 시장의 활성화로 이어지고 있습니다. 예를 들어 다양한 유황비료가 비료 관리령(FCO)에 포함되어 있습니다. 또한 황 함량은 비료 표준의 일부입니다. 정부 기관은 더욱 엄격한 규제를 시행하고 있으며, 제품에 함유된 황 함량을 가방에 표시하도록 의무화하고 있습니다. 이에 따라 농업인들에게 유황비료 사용을 장려하기 위해 세제 혜택과 재정적 우대 조치도 시행하고 있습니다. 예를 들어 인도 정부는 유황비료에 대한 보조금을 1kg당 3.56루피로 인상했습니다. 유황 이외의 영양소에 대해는 보조금을 동결했습니다. 농업 생산성 향상을 필요로 하는 식량 수요 증가에 대응하기 위해 규제 당국은 유황비료와 같은 효과적인 토양 개량 재료의 사용을 촉진하기 위해 유리한 조치를 취하고 있습니다. 예를 들어 인도의 PM-KISAN(Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi) 등의 시책이 전국 농업 발전에 도움이 되고 있습니다. 이 제도의 일환으로 전국의 농업인 가족에게 4개월마다 2000루피가 지급되며, 그 결과 농업인들이 농업에 더 집중할 수 있도록 연간 6000루피의 소득 지원이 제공되어 유황비료 시장의 매출을 높이고 있습니다.
신규 유황비료의 용도 확대
정유, 고무 제조 회사, 농약과 같은 최종 사용 산업에서 광범위한 용도를 확보하고 있는 원소 유황비료의 도입은 유황비료 시장 규모를 강화하고 있습니다. 예를 들어 2021년 6월 캐나다의 노던 뉴트리엔츠(Northern Newtrients)는 미분화된 원소 유황을 우레아 과립으로 전환하는 로열더치셸의 티오글로 기술을 활용한 새로운 유황 생산 플랜트 개발을 발표했습니다. 또한 뉴트리엔은 미분화유황과 인산염을 결합한 스마트 뉴트리션 MAP+MST 비료도 출시했습니다. 이러한 기술 혁신은 예측 기간 중 유황비료 시장을 지속적으로 견인할 것으로 예측됩니다.
The global sulfur fertilizers market size reached USD 5.9 Billion in 2024. Looking forward, IMARC Group expects the market to reach USD 7.7 Billion by 2033, exhibiting a growth rate (CAGR) of 2.82% during 2025-2033. The sulfur fertilizers market is primarily propelled by the launch of favorable initiatives by government bodies to minimize sulfur emissions, owing to their negative impact on the environment, along with the introduction of elemental sulfur enriched NPK fertilizers.
Strategic Partnerships and Collaborations
Key players across numerous countries are entering into agreements to enhance the efficiency of sulfur fertilizers and expand their product portfolio. This, in turn, is stimulating the market growth. For example, in March 2020, the Mosaic Company announced an agreement with the Financial Technology Research Centre (FTRC) at the University of Adelaide in Australia to emphasize on enhancing the efficiency of fertilizers. Similarly, in February 2020, ICL stated the acquisition of Growers Holdings Inc. (US), an innovator in data-driven farming, that offers diversified information on on-field applications and fertilization.
Regulations by Government Bodies
The regulatory bodies across the countries are focusing on offering more efficient nutrient use and minimizing environmental impact, thereby catalyzing the sulfur fertilizers market. For instance, various sulfur fertilizers have been included in the Fertilizer Control Order (FCO). Moreover, their sulfur content is a part of the fertilizer specifications. Government bodies are further implementing stringent regulations to make it mandatory to declare the sulfur content in the product on the bag. In line with this, they are also providing tax benefits and fiscal benefits to encourage the farmers to use sulfur fertilizers. For example, the government in India increased the subsidy on sulfur fertilizer to Rs 3.56 per kg. It kept the support unchanged for other non-urea nutrients to promote the balanced use of farm supplements. To meet the increasing food demand that requires enhanced agricultural productivity, regulatory authorities are launching favorable policies to promote the usage of effective soil supplements, such as sulfur fertilizers. For example, policies, including Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi (PM-KISAN) in India, are helping in elevating the agricultural industry across the country. The payments of Rs.2000 are made to the families of farmers nationwide every four months as part of the Scheme, which, in turn, offers annual income support of Rs. 6000 to help them concentrate more on farming, thereby propelling the sulfur fertilizers market revenue.
Increasing Applications of Novel Sulfur Fertilizers
The introduction of elemental sulfur fertilizers that are gaining extensive applications in end-use industries, including petroleum refining, rubber manufacturing firms, agrochemicals, etc., is bolstering the sulfur fertilizers market value. For instance, in June 2021, Northern Nutrients, a Canadian company, announced the development of a new sulfur production plant by utilizing Royal Dutch Shell's Thiogro technology, which converts micronized elemental sulfur into urea granules. Furthermore, Nutrien introduced Smart Nutrition MAP+MST fertilizer, which usually combines micronized sulfur with phosphates, and offers plants a consistent supply of nutrients all season long. These innovations will continue to drive the sulfur fertilizers market over the forecasted period.
Sulfate fertilizers, including potassium sulfate, ammonium sulfate (AS), magnesium sulfate, etc., usually contain sulfur in the commonly available sulfate form. Elemental sulfur fertilizers are natural minerals that require to be oxidized by soil bacteria to the sulfate form before plants can utilize them. Besides this, liquid sulfur fertilizers offer a quick source of sulfur to plants, especially during periods of high sulfur demand. As such, they are gaining extensive traction, as they aid in promoting healthy plant growth and improving crop yield.
Controlled environment agriculture (CEA) generally utilizes advanced science to cultivate crops in a controlled setting. Moreover, greenhouses and other enclosed and temperature-controlled spaces are adopted for the cultivation process, where the roots of the plants receive a steady supply of fertilizer, water, and sunlight. The controlled environment agriculture technique is environmentally safe and yields high-value crops at optimum productivity. Apart from this, sulfur fertilizers that assist crops in holding onto moisture are especially useful in conservation-intensive agriculture, as they minimize water needs.
For individuals in underdeveloped nations, pulses and oilseeds are staple crops farmed in semi-arid tropical climates. As crops in these regions have a sulfur deficiency, there is an inflating requirement for plant nutrients, such as sulfur fertilizers, to grow oilseeds. Moreover, these fertilizers are extensively used across the globe to produce more yield and effective fruits and vegetables on the available arable land.
The growing consumer awareness towards liquid sulfur fertilizers, as they are quickly absorbed by plants and simple to use, is primarily driving the market growth. For example, in 2021, Yara International ASA developed a product variant, known as the YaraVita Optimum, which is a liquid sulfur fertilizer. It was specifically formulated to enhance crop quality and yield. Similarly, in 2020, Nutrien Ltd. introduced eNpower, which is a liquid sulfur fertilizer. However, based on the form, dry sulfur fertilizers are gaining extensive traction among farmers, owing to their ease of handling and cost-effectiveness.
Incorporating sulfur into the soil helps in improving its availability to plants over time. Besides this, foliar applications involve spraying a dilute solution of sulfur fertilizer directly onto the leaves of plants. On the other hand, fertigation can be particularly beneficial in areas where sulfur deficiencies are common.
Asia Pacific leads the market, accounting for the largest sulfur fertilizers market share.
The market research report has also provided a comprehensive analysis of all the major regional markets, which include North America (the United States and Canada); Asia Pacific (China, Japan, India, South Korea, Australia, Indonesia, and others); Europe (Germany, France, the United Kingdom, Italy, Spain, Russia, and others); Latin America (Brazil, Mexico, and others); and the Middle East and Africa.
Sulfur is produced in all world regions, but half of all production takes place in North America and the Middle East. Moreover, around 36 million tons of sulfur are traded annually, accounting for 53% of total sulfur production. The Middle East accounts for over 40% of exports. Favorable programs by government bodies in North America supporting environmentally friendly farming methods are propelling the demand for sulfur fertilizers. Furthermore, the widespread use of sustainable agriculture techniques, especially in countries, including India and China, is augmenting the adoption of sulfur fertilizers.
The market research report has provided a comprehensive analysis of the competitive landscape. Detailed profiles of all major companies have also been provided. Some of the key players in the market include: