Tampa: The price for fourth-quarter molten sulfur delivered to Tampa will be up for negotiation. Because little has changed since prices were last concluded, odds are that the price will either roll over or decrease slightly for the next quarter. Shipments from Canada were still going on, despite suppliers taking a loss on the product, and the depressed world market was keeping more tons at home that would otherwise be turned to prill and shipped overseas. As a result, no shortage was apparent – although there was not a major glut, either, according to some sources. However, producers who are looking at weaker DAP prices might disagree.
Refinery operating capacity rates were unchanged from the previous week at 92.5 percent. Last year for the same week, the rate was 88.9 percent, and the five-year average was 83.46 percent.
U.S. Gulf: The price range for Gulf prill continued at $70-$80/mt FOB due to its export bias, but exports have fallen off during the past month or more. Less was going to prillers, which was boosting supplies of molten sulfur to Tampa.
U.S. Imports: Sulfur imports were up 32 percent in July, to 254,835 st from the year-ago 192,729 st. Sulfuric acid imports were up 10 percent, to 292,337 st from 265,681 st.
Vancouver: Sulfur prices at Vancouver remained flat in the $60-$75/mt FOB range last week.
West Coast: No change was reported for prices on the West Coast, which were once again in the $63-$78/mt FOB range.
Benelux: The Benelux price range for the third quarter was $140-$155/mt.
ADNOC: The ADNOC price was set at $80/mt FOB, down from the previous $90/mt FOB.