U.S. Gulf:
The NOLA barge market was reported as quiet during this pre-holiday week, and was still called $630-$665/st FOB for the last done business.
Eastern Cornbelt:
Granular ammonium sulfate prices reportedly slipped to $675-$705/st FOB in the Eastern Cornbelt, down another $5-$15/st, with the low confirmed in Illinois and the high in Ohio on a spot basis. The Cincinnati market was pegged at the $690/st FOB level in late May.
Western Cornbelt:
The ammonium sulfate market was pegged at $675-$690/st FOB in the Western Cornbelt, with the low confirmed at St. Louis and the high in Iowa. In the Northern Plains, sources reported delivered pricing in the $690-$720/st range in North Dakota.
California:
Although dealer reference prices for ammonium sulfate remained above the $700/st FOB level in the state, sources said the actual market had slipped to $670-$700/st FOB in California, down some $15-$30/st, depending on location. “Looks like ammonium sulfate will be long at the end of the season,” said one contact.
Pacific Northwest:
Standard ammonium sulfate pricing remained referenced at the $620/st FOB or DEL level in the Pacific Northwest. Granular pricing ranged broadly at $670-$755/st FOB and $685-$760/st DEL, depending on supplier.
Western Canada:
The Western Canada ammonium sulfate market was unchanged at C$925-$950/mt DEL in late May.
China:
Prices of caprolactam grade amsul remain steady, but seem to be under pressure. Sources said the softening of urea prices is beginning to have an impact on what buyers are willing to pay.
January-April exports of ammonium sulfate showed a slight uptick, according to Trade Data Monitor. Exports for the first four months of the year were reported at 3.2 million mt, against 3.1 million mt for the same period in 2021.
Turkey stepped up its purchases of Chinese amsul during this period. Turkey bought 512,000 mt so far this year, compared to 230,000 mt during the same four months last year. At the same time, Brazilian imports showed a decrease. January-April 2022 exports to Brazil were reported at 456,000 mt against 555,000 mt during the same period in 2021.
April 2022 exports of 816,000 were off slightly from the 920,000 mt exported in April 2021. Vietnam bought 106,000 mt in April, accounting for 13% of the exports, with Brazil taking 93,000 mt for 11% of the market. The remaining 76% was divided among 40 buyers, with none topping 10% of the export market.
Brazil:
Ammonium sulfate prices softened to $390-$400/mt CFR in Brazil. Sources said the drop is most likely a reaction to the softening urea market. International traders said demand and supply have not changed enough to justify a price shift.
Aggressive buyers in Rondonópolis pushed the bottom of the price range lower. Sources now put the inland market price at $525-$605/mt FOB ex-warehouse.