US Gulf:
The latest NOLA potash trades remained in the $320-$325/st FOB range for January delivery, unchanged from late December.
Potash was pegged in a broad range at $385-$415/st FOB in the Eastern Cornbelt, with the Cincinnati market reported at the $390-$395/st FOB level in early January. Sources said they expect a winter fill program to be announced at any time.
In the Great Lakes region, the latest potash prices in Michigan were quoted at $420/st FOB and $425-$435/st DEL, depending on time of shipment.
Western Cornbelt:
Potash was reported in the $370-$400/st FOB range in the Western Cornbelt, depending on location, with the St. Louis market quoted at $370-$390/st FOB for the latest offers.
Northern Plains:
Potash was quoted at $390-$410/st FOB St. Paul, with delivered tons reported at the $400/st level in the Northern Plains. The latest prices FOB Saskatchewan mines continued at $377-$384/st FOB, depending on grade.
Northeast:
Potash dropped to $335-$360/st FOB in the Northeast, down sharply from the prior $375-$420/st FOB range, with the low reported at Baltimore and the high at Fairless Hills. Delivered Canadian potash was pegged at the $390-$400/st level in central Pennsylvania.
Eastern Canada:
The potash market in Eastern Canada was unchanged at C$615/mt FOB regional warehouses in early January.
Thailand:
Potash imports in Thailand softened 13% in January-November, according to Trade Data Monitor, falling to 621,000 mt from the year-ago 712,000 mt. Thailand imported 82,000 mt in November, however, a notable increase from the 30,000 mt reported last November.
Brazil:
Following several weeks of decline, the landed price of potash moved up 4.3%, to $295-$310/mt CFR from the previous $285-$295/mt CFR range, with players reporting limited trading.
Prices fell slightly at Rondonópolis, however, to $420-$445/mt FOB from $420-$450/mt FOB, while unconfirmed offers rumored at $395/mt FOB hinted at ongoing bearish pressure in the market. Suppliers were reportedly fielding a wide range of offers in an effort to drive new sales and reduce swollen inventories.
Negotiations for a cooperative purchase of 20,000 mt of potash and SSP were reported in northern Mato Grosso state, sources said.