Which works faster for crops, ammonium sulfate or elemental sulfur?

Ammonium sulfate supplies sulfate sulfur that plants can use immediately. Elemental sulfur must convert in soil first, so it is usually slower but can last longer.

When does potassium sulfate make more sense than ammonium sulfate?

Potassium sulfate fits chloride sensitive crops and programs needing both potassium and sulfur. Ammonium sulfate is usually chosen when nitrogen and sulfur are both needed early.

How do sulfur coated or controlled release granules change application timing?

They can stretch nutrient availability and reduce the number of passes in some systems. They still require matching release speed to soil moisture and crop uptake timing.

What supplier questions best predict field performance for sulfur products?

Ask about analysis consistency, granule size distribution, dust handling, and storage stability. Also ask for local guidance on placement and safe rates with seed or starters.

How can growers reduce sulfate leaching risk in lighter soils?

Apply closer to peak crop demand, avoid large early doses, and consider split applications where practical. Pairing fast and slower sulfur forms can also smooth availability.

Which recent shifts are changing sulfur fertilizer availability the most?

More recovered sulfur and expanded sulfur conversion assets can improve supply reliability in some regions. At the same time, logistics and energy cost swings can still tighten availability quickly.

Top Sulfur Fertilizer Companies - Key Players & More

Nutrien Ltd.

Record ammonia run rates and high sales volumes signal steady execution in nitrogen and sulfate linked volumes, even in choppy pricing cycles. Nutrien, a leading player, benefits from a broad asset base and a large retail footprint that can push sulfate and blended sulfur programs where deficiency is rising. Policy support for nutrient efficiency can lift demand for stabilizers and coated formats, but tighter port access or gas disruptions can still force abrupt operating changes. If a new export terminal plan materializes, potash and sulfur containing blends could reach Asia faster, though logistics concentration remains a clear risk.

Leaders

Yara International ASA

Cost programs and record production performance suggest resilience while keeping product quality consistent across regions. Yara, a major brand, is well positioned where regulators push lower losses and documented sustainability claims, which can favor premium sulfur and nitrogen combinations. If gas prices stay elevated, margins can compress quickly and force further curtailments in higher cost regions. A realistic upside case is wider adoption of low emission offerings bundled with agronomy advice, which can strengthen buyer loyalty. The main operational risk remains energy exposure, plus currency driven earnings volatility in reported results.

Leaders

The Mosaic Company

An 800,000-tonne MicroEssentials expansion added tangible sulfur containing specialty capacity and improved optionality inside its phosphate system. Mosaic, a top manufacturer, can translate reliability upgrades into more consistent output, which matters when large buyers need uniform nutrient delivery at scale. US conservation programs that recognize enhanced efficiency labeling can support premium positioning, though compliance expectations on runoff and gypsum management keep pressure on operations. If Riverview and other sites sustain targeted run rates, MicroEssentials growth could cushion down cycles. The key risk is downtime at sulfuric acid units, which can constrain phosphate and sulfur integrated output.

Leaders

K+S AG

Lower potash pricing has pushed the company to lean harder on specialty fertilizers and disciplined capital spending. K+S, a major producer, has a durable footprint in Europe and the Atlantic corridor, which supports potassium sulfate availability for chloride sensitive crops. Stricter water protection rules can raise demand for precise rates, yet they also increase scrutiny on storage, dust, and transport practices. If the Bethune ramp-up stays on schedule, K+S can add flexibility for overseas shipments, although the cycle can still pressure cash generation. The most important risk is prolonged weak pricing that limits reinvestment pace and constrains product development.

Established

Israel Chemicals Ltd.

A Polysulphate production record in 2023 highlights ICL's ability to scale multi nutrient sulfur supply when logistics and mining run smoothly. ICL, a key supplier, has breadth across specialty plant nutrition, but recent earnings pressure suggests less room for aggressive expansion without clearer demand signals. Regulations tied to soil health and nutrient loss may help differentiated sulfate products, yet they also tighten expectations on documentation and traceability. If biological inputs and sulfur nutrition get bundled into integrated programs, ICL could lift mix and retention. The critical risk is operational disruption at mining and processing sites that would quickly tighten supply of specialty sulfur grades.

Established

Saudi Arabian Fertilizer Company (SAFCO) (Saudi Basic Industries Corporation (SABIC))

Feedstock allocation for a new blue ammonia project signals a push toward lower carbon nitrogen and specialized nutrient outputs. SAFCO, a major producer, can use scale and export position to supply sulfur compatible nitrogen solutions, even if sulfur is not its core feedstock. Policy shifts tied to carbon intensity and border adjustments could improve pricing for lower emission products over time. If the Jubail project proceeds on schedule, SAFCO can widen its portfolio and reduce dependence on a narrow set of commodity cycles. The main risk is project execution and commissioning, since delays can erode expected returns and strain operating focus.

Established

Koch Industries Inc.

A USD 3.6 billion acquisition of the Wever, Iowa facility materially expanded Koch's nitrogen footprint and downstream reach. Koch, a major supplier, can leverage reliable plants and terminals to support sulfur linked liquids like ammonium thiosulfate blends, especially where retailers want one stop procurement. Environmental rules on emissions and nutrient losses can increase demand for stabilized products and better handling practices. If Koch integrates the new asset with its existing network, it can improve service levels in the eastern United States. The key risk is integration execution under volatile gas costs, plus unplanned outages that can disrupt seasonal availability.

Performers

CF Industries Holdings Inc.

Strong cash generation in 2024 provides CF with flexibility to fund low carbon initiatives and maintain high operating reliability. This North America focused nitrogen producer can participate in sulfur demand through blends and thiosulfate adjacencies rather than core mined sulfur products. Regulation tied to emissions and low carbon ammonia can create premium outlets, but it can also add cost and permitting friction. If ammonia demand expands for cleaner value chains, CF could invest further in capacity and logistics. The main operational risk is exposure to global nitrogen pricing and gas spreads, which can reverse quickly after strong periods.

Performers

OCP S.A.

New sulfur burners coming online in 2024 and added acid capacity point to OCP's intent to control critical sulfur based inputs for phosphate production. OCP, a leading producer, can reduce reliance on imported sulfuric acid by expanding internal conversion, which strengthens supply security for sulfur bearing phosphate grades. Environmental limits on SO2 and process emissions raise the value of modern recovery systems, yet they also increase execution complexity. If OCP sustains the ramp, it can stabilize finished fertilizer output even when global sulfur trade tightens. The key risk is feedstock and port logistics concentration at major hubs, especially during disruptions.

Performers

Sinochem Holdings Corp. Ltd.

China's fertilizer distribution reach matters because national supply stability programs can reshape ordering patterns with short notice. This state owned group has broad life science coverage and a crop nutrition footprint through affiliated businesses, which can support rollout of differentiated sulfur blends at scale. Policy direction in China can favor efficiency and biological enhancement, but it can also tighten pricing flexibility and compliance requirements. If Sinochem continues winning recognition for supply assurance, it can convert that credibility into stronger dealer penetration for premium formulations. The key risk is exposure to raw material swings and the operational complexity of coordinating imports, distribution centers, and seasonal demand peaks.

Performers

Haifa Chemicals Ltd.

New blending capacity in Brazil strengthens local responsiveness for controlled release lines that can include sulfur components in balanced programs. The company is a specialty plant nutrition producer with a clear tilt toward fertigation and high value crops, where uniform dissolution and consistent analysis matter. Regulation that pushes nutrient efficiency can favor premium soluble formulations, yet it can also demand stronger distributor training and labeling discipline. If Brazil continues shifting toward customized blends, Haifa could grow through agronomy led pull rather than price competition. The main risk is channel concentration, since specialty adoption can slow quickly when credit tightens or weather disrupts planting windows.

Aspirants

Nufarm Limited

A business centered on crop protection and seed platforms gives Nufarm only limited direct exposure to sulfur fertilizer volumes. This Australia based agriculture inputs firm can still influence sulfur outcomes indirectly through partnerships tied to application timing, digital recommendations, and bundled input programs. Regulatory pressure for lower nutrient losses may increase interest in combined solutions, but that benefit is uncertain without a clearer nutrient product strategy. If Nufarm chose to acquire a plant nutrition platform, it could accelerate entry into sulfate micronutrients and bio enhanced blends. The most visible risk is earnings volatility tied to strategic reviews and portfolio restructuring, which can distract management focus.

Aspirants

BASF SE

A new nitrification inhibitor launch positions BASF as an enabler for fertilizer producers that want better nitrogen use efficiency alongside sulfur nutrition programs. This global chemicals group also faces episodic supply disruption risk, as shown by force majeure coverage that included ammonium sulfate tied to upstream issues. Regulation that rewards climate smart practices can increase adoption of stabilizers, though the ramp depends on distributor trust and local approvals. If Ampliqan is widely adopted in Asia-Pacific and then broader regions, BASF can deepen relationships with fertilizer manufacturers rather than growers directly. The critical risk is chemical asset reliability, since outages can quickly constrain byproduct availability and customer confidence.

Aspirants

Tiger-Sul Products LLC (Tessenderlo Group)

Specialty sulfur bentonite remains a focus for Tiger-Sul, but scale limits its ability to influence global pricing on its own. This specialty fertilizer producer gained a clearer growth path after being acquired by Tessenderlo Kerley in November 2024, which should improve distribution access. Regulation that discourages nutrient losses can increase interest in slow release sulfur forms, yet buyers still expect consistent breakdown and predictable oxidation. If Tessenderlo expands manufacturing and field support, Tiger-Sul could lift adoption in high value cropping systems. The biggest risk is elemental sulfur feedstock price volatility, which can compress margins for niche products quickly.

Aspirants

TogliattiAzot PJSC (Uralchem Group)

A late-2023 urea unit start helped drive sharp output growth and signaled renewed willingness to invest in capacity. This Russia based fertilizer producer is more nitrogen centered, so sulfur fertilizer exposure is mostly indirect through blending and trade flows. Sanctions and routing constraints can reshape where product can move, which raises execution risk even when plants run well. If the ammonia terminal project advances and logistics options broaden, the company could stabilize exports and support more consistent customer supply. The key operational risk is transport dependency, since shifts away from legacy pipelines add cost and complexity during peak seasons.

Aspirants

Sulfur Fertilizer Companies: Leaders, Top & Emerging Players and Strategic Moves

Top 5 Sulfur Fertilizer Companies

Sulfur Fertilizer Companies Matrix by Mordor Intelligence

MI Competitive Matrix for Sulfur Fertilizer

Analysis of Sulfur Fertilizer Companies and Quadrants in the MI Competitive Matrix

Nutrien Ltd.

Yara International ASA

The Mosaic Company

K+S AG

Israel Chemicals Ltd.

Saudi Arabian Fertilizer Company (SAFCO) (Saudi Basic Industries Corporation (SABIC))

Koch Industries Inc.

CF Industries Holdings Inc.

OCP S.A.

Sinochem Holdings Corp. Ltd.

Haifa Chemicals Ltd.

Nufarm Limited

BASF SE

Tiger-Sul Products LLC (Tessenderlo Group)

TogliattiAzot PJSC (Uralchem Group)

Frequently Asked Questions

Methodology

Analysis of Leading Sulfur Fertilizer Companies