The blockade of the Strait of Hormuz – apart from the oil market – also affects the supply of another key raw material – sulfur. The Persian Gulf region accounts for half of its maritime trade. Disruptions in its transport affect sectors of the economy that depend on it: including: for the production of food, metals and military equipment. Sulfur is mainly produced in the extraction of oil and gas, so its amount depends on how much of these raw materials is extracted, which means that it cannot be increased quickly.
See also: Blockade of the Strait of Hormuz. This may affect Polish agriculture and industry
Sulfur shortage could hit the defense industry
According to “The Economist”, since the beginning of the conflict in the Middle East, sulfur prices have increased by 40 percent, and the short-term supply market has practically stopped. The shortage of this raw material negatively affects other industries. The fertilizer sector, which consumes approximately 60 percent. global sulfur supply is facing major disruptions that could impact food production.
Sulfuric acid is key to the recovery of metals such as copper, nickel and cobalt. Some countries have supplies that will last only one or two months. In the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and Zambia, which supply over 15%. world copper, without resumption of sulfur supplies within three weeks, some mining operations may be suspended.
See also: Middle East without fresh food? The expert says 10 days of supplies
This also has consequences for the production of equipment and ammunition. Sulfur – indirectly through copper production – affects the availability of materials used in transformers, engines and communications systems necessary for the operation of bases and the defense industry.
– The current disruptions on the sulfur market translate into the copper market, which in turn may affect the operational readiness of the United States – warn analysts of the Modern War Institute, operating at the US military academy West Point, quoted by PAP.
Experts add that sulfur is also crucial for the production of explosives – it is a component of charges used in American ammunition. — Sulfuric acid, in turn, is necessary in the production of microprocessors, without which, for example, missile guidance systems will not be created – emphasizes the Modern War Institute.
