Weekly Sulfur Review: Prices Continue to Decline Slightly (3.5–3.11)

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Weekly Sulfur Review: Prices Continue to Decline Slightly Author/Source: Date: 2016-03-14 Clicks: 1 Last week (3.5–3.11), domestic sulfur market prices continued to fall slightly. At the beginning of the week, the average ex-factory price for granular sulfur in China was around 824 yuan per ton, while by the end of the week it had dropped to around 805 yuan per ton, a decrease of 2.31%. Current prices are 39.70% lower than those of the same period last year. 　　Last week, domestic sulfur market prices continued to fall. The market was influenced by a cautious attitude, resulting in little activity; both buyers and sellers showed little enthusiasm, with transactions mainly consisting of small, sporadic orders. In terms of ports, most ports continued to experience a weak market trend. The price of granular sulfur at the Yangtze River port remained at 790–800 yuan per ton, while the price of granular sulfur at Fangchenggang port was 850 yuan per ton; the price of powdered sulfur there was 800 yuan per ton. Inventory levels in these ports were relatively high. The overall atmosphere in most parts of the harbor is quiet. 　　Last week, the sulfuric acid market showed limited fluctuations and remained stable overall. Currently, the prevailing ex-plant price for sulfuric acid produced through smelting in the East China region is around 300–360 yuan per ton, while the prevailing price for 98% sulfuric acid produced from mineral sources is also around 300–360 yuan per ton. In the short term, the sulfuric acid market is expected to remain stable ； The mainstream market for phosphatic ammonium fertilizers remains stable; manufacturers’ production facilities are operating normally. A few factories have lowered their prices slightly, while most prices have stayed unchanged. Demand for fertilizer products in the domestic market is declining, and shipment volumes remain relatively stable. It is expected that prices will remain stable in the near future. 　　Recently, the sulfur market has performed poorly: shipments from ports have been slow, and business discussions in the market have been minimal. Affected by weak demand from downstream industries, sulfur producers face significant pressure to reduce their inventory levels, and it is unlikely that there will be any major changes in the market situation in the short term. 　　Demand in the sulfur market remains modest with limited fluctuations; a cautious attitude among market participants persists, and the sulfur market continues to operate in a stable and subdued manner.