Stable Fertilizer Output Guaranteed｜GPC Receives Over 70,000 Tons of Direct‑Sourced Sulphur from the Middle East

    In the early hours of August 20, a total of 73,500 tons of sulphur directly procured by Guizhou Phosphate Chemical Group (GPC) from the Middle East safely arrived at Zhanjiang Port in Guangdong Province. This marks GPC’s first shipment of mainstream Middle‑East‑origin sulphur imported directly since the Israel‑Iran‑US conflict broke out. It also represents the largest‑volume and highest‑value single‑purchase contract for Middle‑East sulphur since the establishment of GPC in 2019, delivering solid support for autumn‑winter fertilizer supply security and market stabilization.

    The vessel carrying 73,500 tons of sulphur successfully docked at Zhanjiang Port.

    “Sulphur serves as a core raw material for phosphate‑fertilizer production. Tight sulphur supply directly undermines stable fertilizer output and endangers national food security. More than half of China’s imported sulphur comes from the Middle East,” an insider explained. Since the start of this year, escalating geopolitical tensions across the Middle East disrupted shipping along the Strait of Hormuz for a period of time. International sulphur prices once soared from the usual range of 800‑900 CNY per ton to over 10,000 CNY per ton, bringing substantial operational pressure and uncertainties for phosphate‑fertilizer manufacturers.

    “This contract represents a direct‑procurement order from overseas refineries, with goods delivered straight to end‑users and intermediate links effectively eliminated. Upon arrival, this cargo will fill gaps in market circulating stocks, hedge against price volatility, stabilize the sulphur market, underpin raw‑material security for phosphate‑fertilizer production, anchor market expectations for downstream fertilizer products, boost confidence among distributors and farmers regarding phosphate‑fertilizer supply, and consolidate the foundation for safeguarding national food security,” the source noted. GPC faithfully implements national arrangements for fertilizer supply security and price stabilization. Closely monitoring developments in the Middle East and tracking loading and shipment progress, the group completed contract signing and letter‑of‑credit issuance within tight timelines.

    Statistics show that GPC has delivered over 2 million tons of fertilizer for state‑mandated supply tasks so far this year, fulfilling supply‑security assignments with high quality and efficiency, and recording fertilizer sales exceeding 4 million tons. The group safeguards China’s grain reserves with tangible actions.

    “This transaction deepens bilateral cooperation and accumulates practical experience for regular direct‑sourcing procurement from overseas refineries going forward,” said Zhao Bangjie, Chairman of both Guizhou Phosphate‑Chemical Economic & Trade Company and Guizhou GPC AgriService Co., Ltd. “By increasing the proportion of direct‑source supplies, GPC strengthens the stability of its sulphur feedstock, building a robust raw‑material safeguard for continuous phosphate‑fertilizer production and national food security.”

    “To ensure smooth berthing and unloading of this sulphur‑carrying vessel, Zhanjiang Port and GPC coordinated berth and storage‑yard resources well in advance. Working together with customs and other port authorities, they optimized operational workflows to guarantee safe and efficient cargo discharge. Dedicated railway freight trains have been arranged to dispatch sulphur feedstock to various production bases in a timely manner,” introduced Su Kairun, General Manager of the Bulk Cargo Branch of Zhanjiang Port (Group) Co., Ltd.

    While external raw‑material guarantees are well‑organized, domestic sulphur‑source capacity is also accelerating. The phosphogypsum‑decomposition‑based sulphuric‑acid‑with‑co‑produced cementitious‑materials unit (the “1468 Project”), commissioned in early 2024 at the Qiannan Base, can consume 1.4 million tons of phosphogypsum and produce 650,000 tons of sulphuric‑acid annually. Two additional phosphogypsum‑to‑sulphuric‑acid projects are now under construction, which will effectively reduce long‑term reliance on external sulphur resources.

    GPC will continue to collaborate with industry peers to stabilize overseas‑resource channels, tap domestic sulphur supply potential, build a dual domestic‑and‑overseas resource‑sourcing model, coordinate all work for supply security and price stabilization, and support steady operation of China’s phosphate‑compound‑fertilizer industry.