China Bans Sulphuric Acid Exports, Deepening Global Metals And Fertilizer Crisis

China announced a ban on sulphuric acid exports starting in May 2026.

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The ban covers sulphuric acid produced as a by-product of copper and zinc smelting.

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ING's chief economist Lynn Song said administrative controls are expected to amount to a de facto suspension of exports.

The ban comes as the Strait of Hormuz blockage has already disrupted about a third of seaborne fertilizer trade and global sulphur exports.

Sulphuric acid is essential for phosphate fertilizer production and metal extraction processes.

Chile imports over 1 million tonnes of Chinese sulphuric acid annually.

Roughly 20% of Chile's copper output is reliant on acid-dependent processing.

South China Morning Post

The Democratic Republic of Congo and Zambia will also feel the squeeze.

Roughly two thirds of sulphuric acid production feeds fertilizer output.

India imported around $118 million worth of sulphuric acid in 2024.

Industry voices warned of cascading effects.

“China, the Iran war and the chemical suddenly stoking global supply fears Food security is one of Beijing’s top policy goals – and that could spell trouble for countries dependent on Chinese sulphuric acid “Administrative controls are expected to amount to a de facto suspension of sulphuric acid exports from May 2026,” said Lynn Song, chief economist for Greater China at Dutch investment bank ING, though he added that he had not seen any official notifications from government agencies”

South China Morning Post

Procurement teams are looking at building buffer stocks.

The market is left to contend with a supply gap that shows no immediate signs of closing.