U.S. Gulf:
Sources put the last done ammonium sulfate barge business in the $180-$185/st FOB range, up from $175-$185/st FOB. Some said seller price ideas are now at $190-$200/st FOB, although others were skeptical that buyers would bite at those numbers.
Eastern Cornbelt:
The ammonium sulfate market was pegged at $220-$240/st FOB in the Eastern Cornbelt, up another $5-$10/st from the previous week, with the low confirmed at Ottawa, Ill., for prompt tons. The East Dubuque market was steady at $225/st FOB for prompt and spring tons, with Cincinnati pricing pegged at $220-$230/st FOB. New postings from IOC include $235/st FOB Illinois River terminals and $240/st FOB Ohio River terminals.
Western Cornbelt:
Ammonium sulfate pricing edged up to $220-$240/st FOB in the Western Cornbelt, with the low reported in Missouri. The market FOB Camanche was tagged at the $225/st FOB level at midweek. Granular postings from AdvanSix firmed $10/st on Jan. 20, with reference pricing from IOC as of Jan. 13 reported at $230/st FOB St. Louis, $235/st FOB Upper Mississippi River terminals, and $250/st FOB Sioux City, Iowa.
Northern Plains:
The granular ammonium sulfate market was pegged in a broad range at $225-$250/st FOB in the Northern Plains, up $10-$20/st from December. Prompt delivered tons were quoted at $240-$245/st in North Dakota for railed product and $245-$250/st for trucks, with Q2 shipments reported at $255-$265/st DEL. IOC on Jan. 13 raised its ammonium sulfate postings to $245/st rail-DEL in the Northern Plains.
Great Lakes:
The granular ammonium sulfate market was reported at $235-$250/st FOB in the Great Lakes region, up $10/st from last report, with the high confirmed at Webberville. The Burns Harbor market was reported at the $245/st FOB level at midweek.
Northeast:
Sources quoted the granular ammonium sulfate market at $235-$245/st FOB East Liverpool, Ohio, with the higher level taking effect on Jan. 20. Rail-DEL offers for domestic tons in the Northeast were pegged at $245-$255/st.
China:
Prices in China are stable near the $130/mt FOB mark for caprolactam-grade ammonium sulfate.
Sources said there is a growing problem identifying tons for sale, however, as ammonium sulfate producers face the same problem as all industrial plants. Natural gas for the plants is being diverted to home heating needs, and power is also being diverted because of coal shortages at the power plants.
Even as output is limited, so is demand from Chinese buyers for the same reasons affecting production. All industries are being hit by power limitations. Sources said so far, the reduced demand is matching the reduced output enough to keep prices balanced.
Chinese ammonium sulfate exports for 2020 jumped more than 1.5 million mt, to 8.7 million mt from 7 million in 2019. The single largest buyer in 2020 remained Brazil at 2.5 million mt, according to Trade Data Monitor.
Brazil:
Ammonium sulfate prices have moved up for granular ammonium sulfate at Paranagua, where sources now put the market at $160-$165/mt CFR. Some of the increase might be attributed to extended delays getting the product into the port.
Sources said a vessel with a cargo from China waited 50 days before being able to unload. Excess rainfall at the port reportedly prevented a lot of unloadings, creating backups for everyone. Some industry watchers also complained that operations at TERMAG near Sao Paulo have not been as efficient as they should be, causing further delays.
Rondonopolis prices showed upward movement as well, with sources now quoting the market there at $245-$255/mt FOB ex-warehouse. Improved prices for crops have also changed the barter rate, which has dropped from 40 to 37 bags of corn for 1 mt of ammonium sulfate.