U.S. Gulf:
Barge prices were reported to have moved up to $525-$550/st FOB from the week-ago $500-$525/st FOB. AdvanSix has now posted product at NOLA at $550/st FOB.
Eastern Cornbelt:
Granular ammonium sulfate pricing reportedly firmed to $585-$600/st FOB Eastern Cornbelt terminals, up some $30-$40/st, with the high confirmed at Ottawa, Ill.
Effective Dec. 8, AdvanSix raised its price for granular ammonium sulfate to $585-590/st FOB terminals on the upper river system, with inland warehouse prices at traditional premiums to river warehouses. The company said availability is limited, with deliveries at the shipper’s option in Q1 of 2022.
Western Cornbelt:
Ammonium sulfate pricing was reported in a broad range at $545-$575/st FOB in the Western Cornbelt, up $5-$15/st from last report, with the low in Missouri and the high in Iowa. The St. Louis market remained at $545-$550/st FOB in early December.
Southern Plains:
The granular ammonium sulfate market remained at $500-$560/st FOB in the Southern Plains, with the low at Houston and the high at Catoosa/Inola.
South Central:
The ammonium sulfate market firmed to $540-$550/st FOB in the South Central region, up $15-$20/st from last report, depending on location.
Southeast:
AdvanSix on Dec. 8 raised its ammonium sulfate prices FOB Hopewell, Va., to $520/st for granular, $490/st for mid-grade, and $470/st for standard. Those levels were up from the company’s Nov. 22 postings of $470/st FOB for granular, $450/st FOB for mid-grade, and $430/st FOB for standard.
China:
Southeast Asian buyers slowed down their buying demand as the fear of export restriction on ammonium sulfate eased. Sources said a sale to the Philippines at $420-$430/mt CFR showed a netback to China of $370-$380/mt FOB.
Some other small deals in the $380s/mt FOB were also reporting, dropping the price of caprolactam-grade ammonium sulfate out of China to $370-$380/mt FOB.
The softening prices have not deterred producers from asking for more. They cite continued strong demand from Brazil and steady interest from Southeast Asia. Reportedly, producers are asking $400-$410/mt FOB for January shipments.
Brazil:
Reports that ammonium sulfate will not be restricted out of China lead to an easing of pricing pressures in Brazil. Sources now place the granular landed price at $500-$525/mt CFR. Rondonopolis is reported steady at $640-$660/mt FOB ex-warehouse.