US Gulf:
The NOLA ammonium sulfate barge market slipped to $395-$400/st FOB based on reports of limited new business, down from the prior $400-$405/st FOB range.
Eastern Cornbelt:
Granular ammonium sulfate was steady at $415-$435/st FOB in the Eastern Cornbelt, with the low confirmed at Illinois River locations and the high at inland terminals in Ohio. The Cincinnati market remained at the $430/st FOB level, while delivered tons in central Michigan were pegged at the $463/st mark.
Western Cornbelt:
The granular ammonium sulfate market was unchanged at $405-$430/st FOB in the Western Cornbelt, with the low reported at St. Louis and the high in Iowa.
California:
The ammonium sulfate market was steady at $410-$460/st FOB and $470-$520/st DEL in California, with the low for standard and the high for granular tons. Reference prices included granular at $447/st FOB Richvale and Helm, and $457/st FOB French Camp. Bagged product was reported at the $520/st level FOB Stockton during the week.
Pacific Northwest:
Ammonium sulfate pricing in the Pacific Northwest firmed to $365-$425/st FOB or DEL, depending on grade and supplier, up $5/st from last report.
Western Canada:
The latest ammonium sulfate prices in Western Canada were quoted at C$580-$600/mt DEL for limited offers, depending on grade and location.
China:
Prices continue to inch upward in the China ammonium sulfate market. Sources reported a selling price of $123-$128/mt FOB for caprolactam grade amsul, and producers see $130/mt FOB as their next target.
The upward pressure is coming from both the supply and demand sides, sources said. Some producers brought their plants up slowly after the Golden Week holiday at the beginning of May, while others have kept their plants down for routine maintenance turnarounds.
At the same time, NPK producers in China are anxious to get their hands on amsul due to the refusal of domestic urea prices to come down. Southeast Asian buyers are also clamoring for amsul for their own NPK production.
As ammonium sulfate exports are not subject to the same export regulations as urea and other fertilizers, Chinese amsul exports have increased so far in 2024.
Trade Data Monitor reported January-April exports at 4 million mt, up 11% from the year-ago 3.6 million mt. While Brazil remains China’s largest buyer with 681,000 mt, the Latin American country accounted for just 17% of amsul exports during the period. Myanmar followed with 519,000 mt, while another 80 countries received the balance. April exports were reported at 930,000 mt, up 10% from the 849,000 mt shipped in April 2023.
Brazil:
Ammonium sulfate prices in Brazil followed urea higher, firming 4.6% to $165-$175/mt CFR from last week’s $160-$165/mt CFR range, with fresh offers reported at $180/mt CFR.
The recent change in grain prices could translate to an improved barter ratio for ammonium sulfate, making the market more attractive to producers. Inland negotiations were reported at $275-$295/mt FOB Rondonópolis during the week, stretching from $280/mt FOB at last report.