US Gulf:
NOLA potash barge prices were put in the $520-$530/st FOB range, broadening the week-ago $520-$525/st FOB.
Eastern Cornbelt:
The potash market continued to be quoted at $610-$630/st FOB in the Eastern Cornbelt, with the low confirmed at Cincinnati. Offers out of most other Ohio River terminals fell in the $615-$620/st FOB range during the week.
Western Cornbelt:
Potash prices continued to be reported in the $595-$610/st FOB range in the Western Cornbelt, with the low confirmed at St. Louis.
Southern Plains:
The latest potash warehouse pricing in the Southern Plains was reported at $590-$615/st FOB, with the low confirmed at Catoosa/Inola and the high at Houston. The last official potash postings from Intrepid FOB Carlsbad, N.M., remained at $855/st for 60% white granular and $875/st FOB for 62% white standard.
South Central:
The potash market was pegged at $620-$640/st FOB in the South Central region, with the low confirmed in Arkansas and Kentucky and the high at Memphis.
Southeast:
Potash pricing slipped to $620/st FOB Wilmington, down $20-$30/st from last report, with sources speculating that even better deals might be available.
China:
Imports of MOP for January through October 2022 were reported at 6.7 million mt, according to Trade Data Monitor. This is marginally up from the 6.69 million mt imported during the same period of 2021. Canada was the main supplier with1.9 million mt. Belarus and Russia were a close second and third, with about 1.6 million mt each during the January through October period.
October 2022 MOP imports were reported at 514,000 mt, down 17% from the 619,000 mt imported during October 2021. Canada accounted for about 40% of the imports with 198,000 mt. Israel covered another quarter of the imports with 124,000 mt.
Brazil:
In limited trading, prices settled at $520-$540/mt CFR. Large inventories continue to foil any attempts to move prices up even as costs increase. Sources note some importers are carrying not only the cost of the product, but the storage fees until buyers re-enter the market. Some have said the cost of holding on to the MOP while waiting for buyers is adding 30% to their costs, making the product more expensive each day, without a promise of a return on the investment.
The oversupply of MOP is leading to further price deterioration. Sources now put the Rondonopolis market at $660-$715/mt FOB ex-warehouse. This is a $20/mt drop from just a week ago.