US Gulf:
The NOLA ammonium sulfate barge market edged up to $280-$285/st FOB for the latest reported trades, up from the prior week’s flat $280/st FOB level.
US Imports:
Ammonium sulfate imports for July-June lifted 36.6% year-over-year, to 1.21 million st from 885,007 st. June imports were 44,828 st, however, down 33.4% from 67,264 st in the year-ago period. Imports from Canada were noted at 523,417 st for July-June, ahead of 232,756 st from Belgium. The Netherlands shipped 141,364 st.
US Exports:
Ammonium sulfate exports softened 18.6% in June, to 27,391 st from the year-go 33,667 st. July-June exports were 615,918 st, down 16.7% from the prior 739,623 st. Exports to Peru totaled 194,824 st in July-June, followed by Canada with 79,190 st. Mexico took 65,261 st, ahead of 60,365 st to the Dominican Republic.
Eastern Cornbelt:
Granular ammonium sulfate remained at $325-$350/st FOB in the Eastern Cornbelt, with the low reported out of spot river terminals in Illinois and the upper end confirmed at Cincinnati.
Western Cornbelt:
Granular ammonium sulfate was unchanged at 325-$370/st FOB in the Western Cornbelt, with the low reported at St. Louis for prompt tons.
California:
The ammonium sulfate market was reported at $375-$420/st FOB in California, with the low reported at Richvale and Helm and the high at Woodland and Chico. Granular pricing at French Camp remained at the $405/st FOB level in mid-August.
Pacific Northwest:
IRM’s ammonium sulfate postings in Oregon, Washington, Idaho, and Montana moved on Aug. 9 to $355/st FOB or DEL for WesternPremium and Tranzform and $305/st FOB or DEL for WesternStandard, up $10/st from the company’s July 12 reference prices. Postings from other suppliers remained as high as $400-$420/st DEL for granular tons in the region.
Western Canada:
Ammonium sulfate prices were up in Western Canada, to C$480-$495/mt DEL from earlier offers at the C$460-$475/mt level. Sources described supply as tight, with several grades currently sold out until November.
China:
Sources reported several small sales to regional buyers at $128-$130/mt FOB. These deals to buyers in Southeast Asia are typically limited to sub-10,000 mt volumes shipped in containers. Players attributed the price drop to the softening urea market.
Brazil:
Brazil granular ammonium sulfate imports strengthened to $175-$185/mt CFR, up from last week’s $170-$178/mt CFR level, with the top of the range representing transactions for smaller volumes or delivery to ports with higher logistics costs.
Demand for ammonium sulfate remains strong, bolstered by a favorable barter ratio reported close to 60 bags per hectare. Amsul remains an excellent option for blends, complementing the potash barter ratio, which is also favorable. Despite the strong demand, prices fell $5/mt from the previous low to settle at $285-$300/mt FOB Rondonópolis.
August import totals are expected to run 40% above August 2023, reflecting agreements made approximately three months ago. Import volumes could weaken going forward, however, given both the current difficulty in exporting product from China and the market’s limited vessel availability.