U.S. Gulf:
The ammonium sulfate barge market continued to move up, with the last done business called $245/st FOB, up from $230-$240/st FOB. Players continued to be bullish, suggesting that producers may very likely get closer to their postings in the next round of business. IOC recently reposted NOLA at $275/st FOB, up from $240/st FOB.
Eastern Cornbelt:
Granular ammonium sulfate remained in a broad range at $265-$305/st FOB in the Eastern Cornbelt, with the low reported at Cincinnati and the high at Seneca. The last reference prices from producers ranged from $295-$305/st FOB and $310/st rail-DEL in the region.
Western Cornbelt:
Granular ammonium sulfate prices continued to range from a low of $255-$265/st FOB St. Louis and Caruthersville up to $300/st FOB in Iowa on a spot basis. IOC’s March 24 reference prices included $295/st FOB St. Louis and $310/st FOB Sioux City, Iowa, with AdvanSix’s March 25 postings at $305/st FOB Sioux City and $310/st rail-DEL in Iowa.
Southern Plains:
The ammonium sulfate market reportedly firmed to $250-$270/st FOB Catoosa/Inola and $255-$275/st FOB Houston following a round of higher postings. IOC on March 24 reposted prices for granular ammonium sulfate to $275/st FOB Houston and $315/st rail-DEL in the Southern Plains, up $35/st from its earlier list price. On April 1, sources said APF raised its Houston posting to $270/st FOB.
“Scarcity of raw materials supply due to the historic freeze in Texas continues to hamper production rates on all products, including AMS, ATS, and sulfuric acid,” IOC said. “To ensure we meet customer commitments, we will be revisiting daily both sales volumes and pricing until raw material supply stabilizes.”
South Central:
Ammonium sulfate pricing had reportedly firmed to $245-$260/st FOB in the South Central region, with the low reported at Shreveport and the high at Memphis and reflecting a roughly $10/st increase from last report. Sources reported most Arkansas River terminals in the $250-$255/st FOB range in late March.
Southeast:
AdvanSix on March 25 increased its Hopewell, Va., ammonium sulfate postings by $10/st, with new prices moving to $275/st FOB for granular, $255/st FOB for mid-grade, and $235/st FOB for standard. IOC on March 24 raised its price for granular ammonium sulfate to $300/st FOB Tampa.
Sources in Florida reported delivered tons at $255/st for standard and up to $305/st for granular.
China:
Ammonium sulfate prices in China were reported in the $160s/mt FOB. The softening of urea prices could see a drop in ammonium sulfate prices, however. Already some traders are calling the low end of the market closer to $115/mt FOB. No one has been able to point to any deals at that level yet, but one trader said it could be seen soon.
One source noted that the new pricing idea is about $30/mt down from some deals that closed earlier in March but are only now being shipped. The new deals under discussion are not slated for shipment until late April.
Brazil:
Chinese granular ammonium sulfate showed some movement on the upper end of the range. Sources now call the price at $210-$240/mt CFR, while standard grade is now pegged at $180-$195/mt CFR.
Inland prices continue to center on $300/mt FOB ex-warehouse. Sources quoted the range for talks this week at $290-$320/mt FOB, which represents a slight drop at the upper end of the range.