Table of Contents
Overview
New York, NY – September 03, 2025 – The Global Sulfur Fertilizer Market is projected to rise from USD 4.5 billion in 2024 to about USD 6.3 billion by 2034, growing at a CAGR of 3.4% between 2025 and 2034. The Asia Pacific region, valued at USD 2.0 billion, leads due to strong crop demand and widespread sulfur deficiency.
Sulfur fertilizers, available in granular, liquid, and blended forms, supply the essential nutrient required for protein formation, enzyme activity, and chlorophyll development. Since many soils are sulfur-deficient because of leaching and reduced atmospheric inputs, their use helps boost yields, oil content in oilseeds, and plant health.
In Europe, Spain requested €391 million from the European Commission to support fruit and vegetable producers, ensuring better fertilization. Similarly, Tesco’s £4 million program aims to provide children with daily fruits and vegetables, indirectly encouraging nutrient-rich farming.
The main growth driver is soil sulfur depletion caused by intensive cultivation and low organic manure use. In support of agriculture, the USDA allocated $2 billion to specialty crop growers to expand markets and offset natural disasters. On the other hand, a $1 billion USDA funding cut for food banks may put pressure on farming economics.
Key demand arises from crops such as wheat, rice, maize, and oilseeds, where sulfur improves protein and oil content. With sustainable practices gaining ground, precision and balanced fertilization present opportunities for higher adoption. Emerging economies with sulfur-deficient soils remain central to future growth. Supporting this, the CalFresh Fruit and Vegetable Pilot restarted with $10 million, reinforcing healthier diets and sustainable crop output.
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Key Takeaways
- The Global Sulfur Fertilizer Market is expected to be worth around USD 6.3 billion by 2034, up from USD 4.5 billion in 2024, and is projected to grow at a CAGR of 3.4% from 2025 to 2034.
- In the Sulfur Fertilizer Market, sulfate fertilizers dominate with 58.9% due to widespread agricultural use.
- Dry form fertilizers lead the Sulfur Fertilizer Market, capturing 73.5% share owing to easy handling.
- Cereals and grains drive the Sulfur Fertilizer Market, accounting for 49.2% of consumption in global farming.
- Soil application remains most common in the Sulfur Fertilizer Market, holding 59.4% share worldwide.
- The Asia Pacific market value reached USD 2.0 Bn, driven by strong agricultural demand.
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Report Scope
| Report Features | Description |
|---|---|
| Market Value (2024) | USD 4.5 Billion |
| Forecast Revenue (2034) | USD 6.3 Billion |
| CAGR (2025-2034) | 3.4% |
| Segments Covered | By Type (Sulfate Fertilizers (Ammonium Sulfate, Potassium Sulfate, Calcium Sulfate (Gypsum), Single Superphosphate), Elemental Sulfur (Micronized Sulfur, Prilled/Pastilled Sulfur), Sulfate of Micronutrients (Zinc Sulfate, Magnesium Sulfate, Others), Others), By Form (Dry, Liquid), By Crop Type (Cereals and Grains, Oilseeds and Pulses, Fruits and Vegetables, Others), By Application (Soil, Foliar, Fertigation, Others) |
| Competitive Landscape | Yara International, Nutrien Inc, The Mosaic Company, ICL, Koch Industries Inc., Nutri-Tech Solutions Pvt Ltd. |
Key Market Segments
By Type Analysis
In 2024, Sulfate Fertilizers led the By Type segment of the Sulfur Fertilizer Market with a 58.9% share. Their dominance stems from providing both sulfur and key nutrients such as calcium, magnesium, or potassium, depending on the sulfate form.
Easily dissolving in soil, they supply sulfur in a readily absorbable form for crops. Their adaptability across cereals, pulses, fruits, and oilseeds strengthens their wide usage. Rising soil sulfur deficiency, driven by intensive farming and lower atmospheric deposits, has further increased reliance on sulfate fertilizers.
They are especially important in oilseeds like rapeseed and soybean, where sulfur improves oil content and quality. In addition, their fit with precision farming and sustainable nutrient practices underlines their importance in balanced crop nutrition and long-term productivity.
By Form Analysis
In 2024, Dry fertilizers dominated the By Form segment of the Sulfur Fertilizer Market with a 73.5% share. Their popularity comes from ease of handling, cost-effectiveness, and longer shelf life compared to other forms.
Farmers prefer dry sulfur fertilizers as they work with standard spreading equipment, suit both large and small farms, and blend easily with other nutrients. Their slower release ensures steady sulfur availability, improving nutrient efficiency, reducing leaching, and boosting soil fertility.
Widely used for staple crops like wheat, maize, and rice, they remain the most practical choice. Combined with lower logistics costs and broad availability, their 73.5% share in 2024 reflects their central role in addressing sulfur deficiency and supporting sustainable agriculture.
By Crop Type Analysis
In 2024, Cereals and Grains led the By Crop Type segment of the Sulfur Fertilizer Market with a 49.2% share. This dominance reflects the vast cultivation of staples like wheat, rice, maize, and barley, which demand consistent nutrient input to secure the global food supply.
Sulfur is essential for protein synthesis and chlorophyll formation, making it critical for cereals and grains to reach higher yields and quality. Farmers across both developed and developing regions prioritize sulfur use to enhance grain quality, boost productivity, and improve resilience against stress.
With rising population and food demand, optimizing nutrient balance in staple crops has become a global priority. Holding 49.2% in 2024, cereals and grains remain the largest consumers of sulfur fertilizers, underscoring their vital role in sustaining agriculture worldwide.
By Application Analysis
In 2024, Soil application dominated the By Application segment of the Sulfur Fertilizer Market with a 59.4% share. This method remains the most direct and widely adopted approach, releasing sulfur in a plant-absorbable form and ensuring steady nutrient availability throughout crop growth.
Farmers value soil application for its ability to distribute nutrients evenly across large fields, supporting root growth, protein synthesis, and chlorophyll formation. It is especially important for staples like wheat, maize, rice, and oilseeds that require high nutrient uptake for maximum yields.
Compatible with granular and powdered forms, soil application aligns with mechanized farming and sustainable practices. Its 59.4% share in 2024 reflects its critical role in boosting productivity, improving efficiency, and addressing global sulfur deficiencies.
Regional Analysis
The sulfur fertilizer market displays distinct regional patterns, with Asia Pacific leading in 2024, holding 46.2% of the global share valued at USD 2.0 billion. This leadership stems from its vast agricultural base and high demand for staples like rice, wheat, and maize that require balanced nutrients.
China and India, with extensive farmlands and sulfur-deficient soils, have rapidly increased fertilizer adoption to enhance yields and crop quality. Government programs supporting sustainable farming and efficient nutrient use have further strengthened the market in this region.
North America and Europe remain strong markets, benefiting from advanced farming systems and a focus on quality output. Latin America is expanding through soybean and maize cultivation, while the Middle East & Africa show promise as agriculture develops despite soil challenges.
Top Use Cases
- Helps Plants Grow Strong Proteins & Oils: Sulfur is a key ingredient in creating certain amino acids, such as cysteine and methionine, that make up proteins. It’s also essential for making oils in crops like canola. Without enough sulfur, plants can’t build the proteins and fats they need for healthy growth.
- Boosts Disease Resistance & Stress Protection: Sulfur helps plants produce natural disease-fighting compounds and antioxidants like glutathione. This makes them better at resisting diseases, pests, and stress from the environment.
- Improves Soil Structure, Microbial Activity & Nutrient Cycle: Adding sulfur helps soil form stable clumps (aggregates), which improves air and water flow to roots. It also supports helpful soil microbes that break down organic matter, releasing more nutrients for plants.
- Makes Soil pH Better and Unlocks Locked Nutrients: When elemental sulfur is added to soil, it slowly turns into a form that lowers the soil’s pH (making it less alkaline). This change helps unlock nutrients like phosphorus, iron, and copper that plants can then use more easily.
- Boosts Yield & Crop Quality (Like Baking Quality of Wheat): Sulfur makes a significant difference in both how much crops yield and how good the produce is. For example, adding sulfur improves protein in wheat and yields a better loaf of bread. It also helps oilseed crops produce more oil.
Recent Developments
- In July 2025, ICL launched Sulfurball, a new sulfur-based fertilizer designed with a spherical granule shape. This is the first of its kind in Brazil and Latin America. The innovation makes fertilizer spreading more uniform, lowers application costs, and improves how crops like soybeans and corn absorb sulfur. The product is manufactured only at ICL’s Jacareí facility in São Paulo, Brazil, for distribution across Latin America.
- In May 2024, Koch secured a 15‑year supply deal with QatarEnergy, getting up to 0.74 million tons of high-quality urea per year starting July 2024—boosting its nitrogen fertilizer supply chain
- In April 2024, the Synagri fertilizer guide highlighted that YaraVera AMIDAS (a granule combining nitrogen and sulfur) has a strong, uniform structure—making it less dusty and spreading more evenly than traditional mixes.
Conclusion
The sulfur fertilizer market is set to witness steady growth as farmers increasingly recognize the importance of sulfur for healthy crop yields and soil balance. With rising demand for food production and nutrient-rich crops, sulfur-based fertilizers are becoming a key part of sustainable farming practices worldwide.
Their role in improving protein content, oilseed quality, and overall soil fertility ensures continued adoption across both developed and developing regions. Government initiatives promoting efficient fertilizer use and eco-friendly farming methods further support this expansion. Looking ahead, innovation in formulations and wider accessibility will keep the sulfur fertilizer market on a positive path.
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