Global Sulphuric Acid Supply Disrupted Due to Strait of Hormuz Blockade

Moscow (ANTARA) - The situation in Iran has triggered issues in the global sulphuric acid supply, leading to a sharp rise in the commodity’s price, according to the Wall Street Journal.

The newspaper, as reported by Sputnik on Sunday, noted that sulphuric acid is used to produce fertilisers, as well as to dissolve copper and other metals. Much of the acid supply comes from oil refineries in the Persian Gulf region.

Market expert Freda Gordon, head of Acuity Commodities, told the newspaper that threats to the fertiliser market have prompted China, the world’s largest acid producer, to limit exports this month. According to her, this move has caused prices to rise and further worsened the sulphuric acid shortage.

In agreement, Sarah Marlow, a fertiliser market expert from Argus, added that Chile and Indonesia are likely to be the countries most affected by China’s sulphuric acid export restrictions.

In April, Bloomberg reported, citing sources, that China is considering a sulphuric acid export ban starting in May 2026 due to supply disruptions amid the Middle East conflict.

On 28 February, the United States and Israel began launching attacks on targets in Iran. This escalation has almost completely halted shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, a vital route for global oil and gas supplies, triggering fuel price increases in many countries.

Sulphuric acid prices, a byproduct of oil processing, have also risen in the Middle East due to the conflict.