Potassium (K2O)	50% min
Sulphur (S)	17% min
Chloride (Cl)	1.5% max
Moisture	0.5% max
Water insoluble	0.5% max
Granule size	2–4 mm (90% min on sieve)
Granule strength	5.0 MPa min (crush test)
Appearance	White to off-white granules
HS code	3104.30

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Product overview

Granular sulphate of potash (SOP) delivers 50% K2O and 17% sulphur in a single low-chloride fertilizer — the standard premium potash for crops that penalise chloride accumulation in leaf tissue or root zone salinity. Unlike potassium chloride (MOP), SOP supplies potassium as K2SO4 without adding chloride that reduces tuber specific gravity in potato, causes leaf burn in flue-cured tobacco and limits sugar accumulation in wine grapes.

The granular 2–4 mm fraction suits mechanical spreading, bed placement and bulk blending into chloride-free NPK compounds. Production routes include Mannheim furnace conversion and brine-based crystallisation at integrated complexes in Europe, Central Asia and the Middle East. Export buyers span horticulture cooperatives in the Mediterranean, flue-cured tobacco boards in southern Africa and potato processors in South Asia seeking contract-grade raw material security.

SOP granular is hygroscopic at moisture above 0.5% — covered storage and prompt discharge at destination ports preserve granule integrity. The 17% sulphur fraction covers moderate crop demand; high-sulphur oilseed programmes may still require supplemental ammonium sulphate alongside SOP applications.

Loading ports & logistics

SOP granular moves primarily in bulk vessel holds or bagged lots from potash and sulphate complexes with dedicated granulation lines. Moisture control below 0.5% is essential to prevent caking during ocean transit through humid trade lanes.

FOB loading at Black Sea ports (Novorossiysk, Taman) and MENA chemical terminals with bulk-handling and bagging infrastructure. Standard parcel sizes range from 1,000 MT (coaster) to 25,000 MT on handysize and supramax bulk carriers.

CFR/CIF deliveries to South Asia (Mumbai, Chittagong, Karachi), East Africa (Mombasa, Dar es Salaam), Mediterranean horticulture hubs and Latin American tobacco regions. Bagged cargo — 50 kg PP woven bags with PE liner or 1,000 kg FIBC — suits ports without bulk discharge; vessel classes from 1,000 MT general cargo to 5,000 MT multipurpose.

Typical lead time 10–20 days from contract to loading window, subject to berth availability and granulation-line scheduling.

Packaging & documentation

Bulk shipment in vessel holds with moisture barrier tarps, or in 50 kg PP woven bags with inner PE liner, palletised and stretch-wrapped. FIBC big-bags (1,000 kg) available for markets with forklift discharge. Each lot ships with a mill certificate of analysis (COA), commercial invoice, packing list, bill of lading and certificate of origin. SDS per GHS is provided on request. Third-party inspection at loading (SGS, Bureau Veritas) available for LC-backed or first-time contracts.

Crop programmes

Granular SOP applies at 100–250 kg/ha on potatoes at tuber initiation to support specific gravity and fry colour, and at 150–300 kg/ha on flue-cured tobacco during peak potash uptake. Citrus and avocado orchards receive banded applications at 200–400 g/tree/year in split doses. For broadcast on saline soils, SOP avoids the chloride load that MOP would add to the root zone profile.

FAQ

When should buyers choose granular SOP over soluble grade?

Granular SOP suits broadcast, bed and band application on field crops where dissolution in the soil profile is sufficient. Soluble grade is reserved for fertigation and foliar programmes where immediate K and S availability in irrigation water is required.

What storage conditions prevent caking at tropical discharge ports?

Keep granular SOP under covered warehousing with relative humidity below 65% and stack height limited to 2.5 m on pallets. Minimise open-air dwell time at discharge; if caking occurs, mechanical screening at the bagging line restores flowability without nutrient loss.

SOP Granular 50% K2O — Chloride-Free Potassium & Sulphur

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