Bangladesh seeks 15,000 tonnes of sulphur through tender amid Gulf shortage

Bangladeshi state-owned firm BCIC issued a buy tender on July 6 for 15,000 tonnes of crushed lump sulphur, as the country’s fertilizer sector works to secure feedstock amid a global sulphur squeeze tied to the Strait of Hormuz conflict.

The tender closes September 7, with delivery to the port of Chattogram required within 30 days of the letter of credit being opened. BCIC previously issued a tender for the same 15,000-tonne quantity in April, but no award was made at that time, a sign of how difficult it has become for buyers to secure Gulf sulphur on workable terms.

Bangladesh’s renewed tender comes as Gulf sulphur suppliers push prices to record levels. Kuwait’s KPC set its July price at a record $950 a tonne fob, up $145 from June, while Abu Dhabi’s Adnoc and QatarEnergy have both raised their own official selling prices in recent weeks. South Africa has separately reported a 68% drop in first-half sulphur imports as Middle East cargoes remain scarce.

Sulphur is a critical input for the sulphuric acid used in phosphate fertilizer production, and Bangladesh’s state phosphate plants depend on imported supply. A failed or delayed award could add further strain to the country’s domestic DAP and TSP output heading into the next planting cycle.

Source: Argus Media

Q&A: Bangladesh’s sulphur tender