Sulphuric acid and oleum market in Russia

Earlier Report Observations

The Russian sulphuric acid and oleum market volume increased from 12.8 million tonnes in 2018 to 15.4 million tonnes in 2024. This expansion was underpinned by strong export demand from Kazakhstan, which incentivized higher domestic production. A significant surge of over 1.2 million tonnes occurred in 2021, supported by steady demand from key consuming sectors like mineral fertilizers and uranium ore mining, which were not negatively impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Government measures to regulate raw material supply influenced the market's trajectory. In 2022, the introduction of an export quota for sulphur, initially set at 1.1 million tonnes and later increased to 1.6 million tonnes, aimed to secure feedstock for domestic fertilizer producers. This policy supported the availability of sulphur for acid manufacturing, contributing to production growth during the period.

Market growth faced moderating factors, including persistent logistical challenges and supply chain constraints. Manufacturers encountered difficulties in procuring essential foreign vanadium catalysts for production. These headwinds, alongside high inflation and tighter environmental legislation, tempered the pace of expansion in 2023 and 2024. The market remained highly concentrated among major producers like FosAgro, EuroChem, and URALCHEM.

Production sulphuric acid and oleum in Russia

In kind, 2018-2021, K t

In 2021, Russia produced 14 541 K t of sulphuric acid and oleum, marking an 8.9% increase from the previous year. Over the period from 2018 to 2021, production grew by 11.6%, with a compound annual growth rate of 3.7%. The only decline during this period occurred in 2020, when production fell by 0.1%.

Annual dynamics of production in Russia in kind, 2018-2021, K t

Exports sulphuric acid and oleum from Russia

Exports in kind, K t

After two consecutive years of growth, Russia's exports of sulphuric acid and oleum declined in 2021. The country exported 383.2 K t that year, representing a modest decrease of 5.8% compared to 2020. Over the 2018-2021 period, exports increased by 42.8%, with a compound annual growth rate of 12.6%. The peak export volume was recorded in 2020 at 406.7 K t, while the largest annual increase occurred in 2019, with a 42.6% rise.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Russia in kind, 2018-2021, K t

From 2018 to 2021, Kazakhstan remained the primary destination for Russia's sulphuric acid and oleum exports, accounting for 73.2% of total export volumes. Other markets played a much smaller role during this period.

Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's exports from Russia in kind, 2018-2021

Exports in value, K $ US

In 2021, Russia's sulphuric acid and oleum exports reached 13 638 K $ US, showing an 8.4% increase compared to 2020. Between 2018 and 2021, export value grew by 12.5%, equivalent to an annualized rate of 4.0%. The only decline in this period was recorded in 2020, with a 1.9% drop.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Russia in value, 2018-2021, K $ US

Throughout 2018-2021, Kazakhstan, Ukraine, and Lithuania formed the core group of trading partners for Russia's sulphuric acid and oleum exports in value terms. Kazakhstan accounted for 46.7% of export value, Ukraine for 16.4%, and Lithuania for 12.1%. Together, these three countries represented 75.3% of total export flows.

Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's exports from Russia in value, 2018-2021

Imports sulphuric acid and oleum to Russia

Imports in kind, K t

Russia imported 31.7 K t of sulphuric acid and oleum in 2021, reflecting a 6.5% decrease from 2020. Over the 2018-2021 period, imports declined by 34.5%, with a compound annual growth rate of -13.1%. The lowest import volume was recorded in 2019 at 25.8 K t, which also saw the largest annual decline of 46.8%. In contrast, 2020 experienced the largest increase, with imports rising by 31.7%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Russia in kind, 2018-2021, K t

Between 2018 and 2021, Kazakhstan and Belarus dominated Russia's sulphuric acid and oleum imports by volume, jointly accounting for 90.3% of total flows. Other countries represented the remaining share.

Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's imports to Russia in kind, 2018-2021

Imports in value, K $ US

Russia's imports of sulphuric acid and oleum increased for the second consecutive year in 2021. The country imported [value_last_year] K $ US worth of these products, showing a strong 17.3% increase compared to 2020. However, over the 2018-2021 period, import value decreased by 14%, with a compound annual growth rate of -4.9%. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 1 712 K $ US, which also saw the largest annual decline of 39.0%. The largest increase occurred in 2020, with a 20.1% rise.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Russia in value, 2018-2021, K $ US

From 2018 to 2021, Kazakhstan, Belarus, and Germany consistently served as the main sources for Russia's sulphuric acid and oleum imports in value terms. Kazakhstan accounted for 36.5% of import value, Belarus for 23.9%, and Germany for 15.7%. Together, these three countries represented 76.1% of total import flows.

Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's imports to Russia in value, 2018-2021