U.S. Gulf: The market continued to be called $345-$350/st FOB for recent trades, though some still think it should be lower, citing weak international pricing.
Spot granular business to Brazil was reported to have moved down to $340-$350/mt CFR, while contracts were reportedly inked for India that would equate to $360/mt CFR for standard product, down from $427/mt CFR for the first half.
Eastern Cornbelt: Potash pricing had reportedly fallen to $385-$395/st FOB in the Eastern Cornbelt, with the low FOB Cincinnati. Indiana sources quoted rail-delivered potash as low as $390/st last week, which one source said was down from $398-$405/st DEL just three weeks earlier.
Western Cornbelt: Potash pricing in the Western Cornbelt continued to be quoted at $380-$395/st FOB regional warehouses in early October.
California: Muriate of potash pricing was flat at $495-$502/st FOB and $500-$510/st DEL in California, with “nothing moving,” according to sources.
Sulfate of potash pricing remained at $650-$655/st FOB in California, with the low for mid-grade and the upper end for “choice” granular product. Sources described the market as tight, with movement starting to pick up rapidly on almonds.
The K-Mag market was quoted at the $430/st FOB level out of warehouses from Fresno south, with inventories described as very tight.
The dealer market for crystalline potassium nitrate remained at $950/st FOB for bulk and $1,020/st FOB for bags.
Pacific Northwest: Potash continued to be quoted at $455-$460/st FOB and $450-$460/st rail-DEL in the Pacific Northwest. The potash market FOB Utah mines was quoted at $395/st, although some sources reported a lower number based on netbacks for delivered prices in Washington.
The K-Mag market remained at $461-$481/st FOB in the Pacific Northwest, with sources reporting continued tight supplies.
Western Canada: The regional potash market was flat at $460/mt FOB Saskatchewan mines to Canadian customers. Dealer pricing out of Western Canada warehouse locations remained in the $468-$491/mt FOB range, depending on location and supplier.
Russia: Uralkali reports that third-quarter potash production was 2.7 million mt, up 5 percent versus the year-ago 2.6 million mt. Nine-month production still lagged the year-ago figure at 7.2 million mt versus 7.4 million mt.