U.S. Gulf:
While ammonium sulfate barge business was reported to have recently occurred at $185/st FOB, in the current environment most sources had no reason to doubt that recent producer postings of $200/st FOB could be achieved.
Eastern Cornbelt:
The ammonium sulfate market remained at $220-$240/st FOB in the Eastern Cornbelt, depending on location, with the Cincinnati market pegged at $225-$230/st FOB. AdvanSix on Jan. 28 increased its ammonium sulfate postings by another $10/st, effective immediately, across its entire system.
Western Cornbelt:
Ammonium sulfate pricing remained at $220-$240/st FOB in the Western Cornbelt, depending on location. Spot prices included $225/st FOB Caruthersville and $225-$230/st FOB Camanche, Iowa, with reference pricing from IOC remaining at $230/st FOB St. Louis, $235/st FOB Upper Mississippi River terminals, and $250/st FOB Sioux City, Iowa.
Southern Plains:
The granular ammonium sulfate market ranged broadly at $205-$230/st FOB in the Southern Plains, depending on location, with the Catoosa/Inola market pegged firmly at the $225/st FOB level in late January. IOC’s Jan. 13 postings for ammonium sulfate included $230/st FOB Houston and $235/st rail-DEL in the Southern Plains.
South Central:
Ammonium sulfate pricing had reportedly firmed to $210-$230/st FOB in the South Central region, up $5/st from last report, with the low at Memphis. Sources reported most Arkansas terminals at the $225/st FOB level in late January, while Jan. 13 reference pricing from IOC included $230/st FOB Delta terminals.
Southeast:
AdvanSix on Jan. 28 raised ammonium sulfate prices by $10/st across its entire system, effective immediately. The increase takes granular prices up to $245/st FOB Hopewell, Va., and follows an earlier $10/st increase that raised the granular price on Jan. 20 to $235/st FOB. Standard grade was reported at $185-$195/st FOB in the Florida market.
China:
The ammonium sulfate market remains tight in China. Production has been cut back because of shutdowns related to COVID-19 and the limits placed on operating energy facing all industrial plants. Sources put the market at $120-$125/mt FOB for caprolactam grade ammonium sulfate. The granular price is reportedly at $150/mt FOB and up, when it is available.
Brazil:
The landed price for granular ammonium sulfate remains at $160-$165/mt CFR at Paranagua. Sources are said to be waiting for a price increase following reports of tighter supplies and higher prices coming out of China, Brazil’s main offshore supplier.
Rondonopolis and Sorriso remain steady in their pricing. The price in Rondonopolis is pegged at $245-$255/mt FOB ex-warehouse, with the Sorriso prices at $260-$311/mt FOB ex-warehouse.
The barter rate fluttered a bit, however. Sources said 1 mt of ammonium sulfate now goes for 39 bags of corn, compared with 37 bags last week and 40 bags at the beginning of the month.