Global NPK Raw Material Price Surge Brings Favorable Outlook for Magnesium Products Exports BY:Ludwig
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- 、Saskia
- Issue Time
- Apr 8,2026
Summary
The Iran crisis has disrupted global supplies of sulfur and sulfuric acid, leading to a sharp rise in sulfuric acid prices
Global NPK Raw Material Price Surge Brings Favorable Outlook for Magnesium Products Exports
Geopolitical tensions in the Middle East and the ongoing Iran crisis have severely disrupted global supply chains for sulfur and sulfuric acid, triggering a sharp rise in costs across the NPK (nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium) fertilizer industry. This wave of raw material inflation has created significant export opportunities for magnesium-based products, especially magnesium sulfate, strengthening the global competitiveness of Chinese magnesium exports and accelerating shifts in the international agricultural nutrient supply landscape.
As a major global sulfur exporter accounting for over 30% of the international sulfur trade, Iran’s supply disruptions—compounded by shipping risks in the Strait of Hormuz, which handles nearly 50% of global seaborne sulfur shipments—have sent sulfuric acid prices soaring worldwide. Sulfuric acid is a critical input for both NPK compound fertilizers and magnesium sulfate production, representing more than 40% of total production costs for magnesium sulfate, which relies on acid-based processes for 75% of global output. Since the escalation of regional tensions, sulfuric acid prices have jumped by over 200%, pushing magnesium sulfate production costs up by 500–800 yuan per ton.
Against this backdrop, surging NPK raw material costs have disrupted global fertilizer supplies, with many overseas producers cutting or suspending operations due to unaffordable production expenses. As the world’s largest producer and exporter of magnesium sulfate, China has maintained relatively stable output and supply, supported by domestic magnesite resources, integrated industrial chains, and diversified production routes including brine extraction and industrial byproduct utilization. While domestic magnesium sulfate prices in China have risen by 30–40% and export quotes increased by 15–25%, these increases remain moderate compared to the extreme volatility in sulfuric acid and NPK raw material markets.
Growing demand for magnesium nutrients has further supported export prospects. As farmers and fertilizer manufacturers seek cost-effective alternatives to expensive NPK fertilizers, magnesium sulfate has gained greater attention as an essential secondary nutrient that improves crop absorption, enhances soil structure, and complements major-element fertilizers. Global buyers, particularly in Southeast Asia, Europe, and South America, are increasingly turning to stable magnesium sulfate supplies to ensure agricultural productivity.
Higher-grade magnesium products, including food-grade and pharmaceutical-grade magnesium sulfate, have also benefited from their high added value and lower price sensitivity, withstanding cost pressures more effectively and expanding profit margins. Meanwhile, the global supply chain uncertainty has encouraged international buyers to pursue long-term supply partnerships, reinforcing China’s position as a reliable and competitive exporter.
In summary, the global upsurge in NPK raw material prices driven by the Iran crisis has not only raised market prices for magnesium products but also enhanced the strategic importance of magnesium nutrients in global agricultural systems. For magnesium sulfate exporters, this environment supports higher export volumes, improved pricing power, and accelerated industrial upgrading toward high-value segments, consolidating China’s leading role in the global magnesium products market.