1. Overview of Import and Export Data

Figure 1: Comparison of China's Sulfuric Acid Imports, 2025-2026 (10k tons; USD/ton)

Data Source: General Administration of Customs

According to statistics from the General Administration of Customs and ChemPriceHub, China's sulfuric acid imports in January 2026 were 17,200 tons, with an import value of $2.3517 million and an average import price of $136.83 per ton. In February 2026, imports were 9,400 tons, valued at $1.5445 million, with an average price of $165 per ton. For the January-February period, cumulative imports reached 26,500 tons, a year-on-year increase of 60.89%. The cumulative import value was $3.8959 million, up 109.77% year-on-year, resulting in an average price of $146.76 per ton.

Figure 2: Comparison of China's Sulfuric Acid Exports, 2025-2026 (10k tons; USD/ton)

Data Source: General Administration of Customs

According to statistics from the General Administration of Customs and ChemPriceHub, China's sulfuric acid exports in January 2026 were 242,500 tons, with an export value of $20.0675 million and an average export price of $82.75 per ton. In February 2026, exports were 142,500 tons, valued at $15.0557 million, with an average price of $105.68 per ton. For the January-February period, cumulative exports totaled 385,000 tons, a year-on-year decrease of 47.15%. The cumulative export value was $35.1237 million, down 14.33% year-on-year, resulting in an average price of $91.24 per ton.

2. Net Exports

Figure 3: Trend of Sulfuric Acid Net Export Growth Rate, 2025-2026

Data Source: General Administration of Customs

In February 2026, China's net sulfuric acid exports were 133,100 tons, showing a slight year-on-year decrease of 47.81%. The month-on-month growth rate declined by 40.92 percentage points, indicating a significant overall market contraction. This trend is attributed to several factors: high prices of key raw material sulfur have led to lower operating rates at domestic downstream sulfur-based acid plants (e.g., for phosphate fertilizers), increasing the need for external procurement. Additionally, domestic sulfuric acid prices remain higher than export prices, and policies prioritizing domestic supply have contributed to sustained export reductions.

3. Import and Export Structure

3.1 Imports

Figure 4: Share of China's Sulfuric Acid Import Sources (10k tons)

Data Source: General Administration of Customs

In terms of import sources, South Korea is China's dominant supplier, holding an extremely prominent position. Imports from South Korea were 16,600 tons in January, accounting for 96.8% of the monthly total, and 8,600 tons in February, accounting for 92.3%. For the January-February period, imports from South Korea constituted 95.1% of the total, with an average price ranging from approximately $108 to $113 per ton, representing low-cost bulk sulfuric acid.

Taiwan, China, is the second-largest source, but its import volume is significantly lower than South Korea's. Imports from Taiwan, China, were 600 tons in January and 700 tons in February, together accounting for 4.8% of the total. Notably, the average price of sulfuric acid imported from Taiwan, China, is significantly higher—$956 per ton in January and $768 per ton in February, approximately 6-8 times the price of imports from South Korea. This sulfuric acid is high-end electronic or specialty grade, possesses strong irreplaceability, and is primarily used in high-tech industries such as semiconductors and precision manufacturing. Imports from other sources are minimal, collectively accounting for less than 0.1%.

Import destinations are highly concentrated in Shandong Province, which is the core region for China's sulfuric acid imports. Shandong's imports were 9,500 tons in January, representing 55.3% of the monthly total, and 8,400 tons in February, representing 89.8%. For the January-February period, Shandong accounted for 94.5% of total imports, all sourced from South Korea at an average price of only $101 to $107 per ton, typical of low-cost bulk sulfuric acid imports.

Other regions accounted for only 5.5% of imports combined, primarily receiving the high-end sulfuric acid from Taiwan, China, destined for areas with concentrated electronics and semiconductor industries. Overall, China's sulfuric acid imports exhibit a basic pattern dominated by the single "South Korea-Shandong" trade channel, supplemented by sporadic imports of high-end acid.

3.2 Exports

Figure 5: Share of China's Sulfuric Acid Export Destinations (10k tons)

Data Source: General Administration of Customs

China's sulfuric acid export market is highly concentrated, but the top destination country varies significantly between months. In January, India was the top destination with exports of 63,000 tons, accounting for 34.7% of the monthly total at an average price of $93.95 per ton. Chile and Indonesia ranked second and third with 58,000 tons and 48,300 tons respectively. These three countries together accounted for 93.2% of January's exports.

In February, Saudi Arabia became the top destination with exports of 63,000 tons, accounting for 44.2% at an average price of $103.81 per ton. Chile and Indonesia ranked second and third with 31,900 tons and 18,600 tons respectively. These three countries together accounted for 79.7% of February's exports.

Combining January-February data, Chile and Indonesia are consistently stable core markets, firmly remaining within the top three export destinations for both months. India and Saudi Arabia became the top export destination in specific months. This indicates that China's sulfuric acid exports possess strong market flexibility, capable of quickly shifting focus in response to changes in international demand. The combined share of the top three export destinations consistently remains above 80%, reflecting high market concentration.

Export origins show a pattern of Guangxi's dominance coexisting with multiple centers. Guangxi is the leading province for China's sulfuric acid exports, with a solid position. Its exports were 93,500 tons in January, accounting for 51.4% of the national total, and 71,000 tons in February, accounting for 49.8%. Due to the execution of previous long-term contracts, Guangxi's exports accounted for about half of the national total for two consecutive months, making it the primary export base.

Other export origins exhibit rotational characteristics. In January, Jiangsu and Anhui formed the second tier with exports of 51,800 tons and 51,700 tons respectively. In February, Shandong's exports surged to 50,500 tons, accounting for 35.5% of the monthly total and becoming the second-largest export province, while Jiangsu did not rank among the top three, and Anhui's exports decreased to 19,800 tons. This shift indicates that besides Guangxi's sustained lead, provinces along the Yangtze River and coastal areas with concentrated smelting capacity, such as Jiangsu, Anhui, and Shandong, alternately become significant export forces based on market opportunities and port logistics. Overall, China's sulfuric acid export origins present a basic pattern of "Guangxi firmly in the lead, with multiple centers coexisting along the Yangtze River and coast."

4. Trend Forecast

It is projected that China's sulfuric acid trade in March 2026 will exhibit the operational characteristic of "both imports and exports declining."

• Import Side: Sulfuric acid imports for March are forecasted to be approximately 9,000 tons, a month-on-month decrease of 3.84%, continuing to operate within the low range for the year.
• Export Side: Sulfuric acid exports for March are forecasted to be around 140,000 tons, a slight month-on-month decrease of approximately 1.73%. Export volumes remain at a relatively low level, primarily due to domestic acid producers' policies prioritizing internal supply and the fact that domestic acid prices are higher than export prices.

Overall, both China's sulfuric acid imports and exports in March are expected to show a month-on-month decline, reflecting a phase characteristic guided by policies stabilizing domestic demand. Future market trends will require close monitoring of multiple factors, including the domestic and international macroeconomic environment, industrial policy directions, changes in raw material prices, and demand shifts among major trading partners.