US Gulf:
The latest NOLA ammonium sulfate business was reported at the $265/st FOB level for confirmed trades during the week, reflecting the low end of the prior week’s $265-$270/st FOB range. Reports of new business around the $255/st FOB level could not be confirmed.
Eastern Cornbelt:
Granular ammonium sulfate was steady at $310-$330/st FOB in the Eastern Cornbelt, depending on location and time of shipment, with the low reported at Cincinnati and in Illinois on a spot basis.
Western Cornbelt:
The granular ammonium sulfate market was pegged in a broad range at $295-$330/st FOB in the Western Cornbelt, with the low confirmed at St. Louis and the high in Iowa on a spot basis.
California:
The ammonium sulfate market remained at $320-$350/st FOB and $350/st DEL in California, with the low reported at Lathrop, Woodland, and Richvale. The latest posting FOB Helm was steady at the $330/st FOB level in mid-January.
Pacific Northwest:
The ammonium sulfate market was steady at $290-$330/st FOB or DEL in the Pacific Northwest, with the low for standard grade and the high for granular.
Western Canada:
The ammonium sulfate market in Western Canada was unchanged at C$470-$480/mt DEL for the latest offers.
China:
Stepped-up demand for amsul has pushed up prices, and sources reported deals at $150/mt FOB near the end of the week. In addition, TCC reported the sale of 20,000 mt of caprolactam grade amsul in the low-$140s/mt FOB.
Demand is picking up for amsul, said one source, mostly because NPK blenders are not only looking for cheap nitrogen content, but also that additional bit of sulfur that comes with amsul.
Indonesia:
Pupuk Holdings called a tender to purchase 20,000 mt of caprolactam grade amsul. The company is seeking the tonnage in one cargo delivered to Gresik in late January or early February.
Pupuk closed a buying tender in November 2023 for 80,000 mt spread over four cargoes. At the time, the tender pushed prices near $100/mt FOB. The results of the current tender are expected to reflect the new higher prices out of China.
South Korea:
The US took about one-third of South Korea’s amsul exports in 2023, according to Trade Data Monitor. Total exports for the year were reported at 165,000 mt, down 30% from the year-ago 234,000 mt, with the US taking 59,000 mt. New Zealand followed closely with 58,000 mt.
South Korea exported 7,000 mt in December 2023, up from just 163 mt one year earlier, with the US receiving 6,600 mt.
Brazil:
Ammonium sulfate imports in Brazil followed the urea market up to $170-$180/mt CFR, above the upper end of last week’s range. An increase in supply from China – responsible for about 95% of ammonium sulfate imports to Brazil – and demand from buyers in Southeast Asia contributed to the higher prices, sources said.
While some Rondonópolis sellers held offers at $290-$300/mt FOB ex-warehouse, others referenced a $10/mt week-over-week increase, resulting in a $290-$330/mt FOB ex-warehouse range.