US Gulf:
New NOLA ammonium sulfate business was reported at the $280/st FOB level during the week, reflecting the low end of last week’s $280-$285/st FOB range.
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. Delivered tons in central Michigan were reported at the $375/st level at mid-month.
Western Cornbelt:
Granular ammonium sulfate pricing narrowed to $340-$350/st FOB in the Western Cornbelt, with rail-DEL offers reported at the $340/st level on a spot basis.
Northern Plains:
The latest ammonium sulfate offers in the Northern Plains were quoted at $340-$350/st FOB, with delivered tons pegged in the $325-$350/st range in the region, depending on supplier and time of shipment. Some suppliers are reportedly sold out for the third quarter and offering only 4Q tons.
Northeast:
Rail-DEL ammonium sulfate pricing was pegged at the $330-$350/st level in the Northeast, with terminal offers reported in the $325-$345/st FOB range.
Northwest Europe:
An uptick in ammonium sulfate demand resulted in several sales in the €160-€165/mt FOB range in Northwest Europe, which reflected around $177-$182/mt at midweek exchange rates.
China:
Because of reduced industrial output at China, many grades of ammonium sulfate are in short supply. That action has increased demand and pricing for caprolactam grade amsul, players said.
Sources pegged capro grade product at $139-$140/mt FOB, based on recent Southeast Asian purchases and Chinese producer tenders. The demand is so great that sources reported some buyers requesting 20,000 mt at $140/mt FOB through a TCC tender offering just 10,000 mt.
International buyers are reportedly pressing China for tons. Brazil remained the single largest buyer of Chinese amsul in January-July, taking 2 million mt, while 89 countries snapped up the remaining tonnage. January-July exports firmed 15% year-over-year, Trade Data Monitor reported, to 7.9 million mt from 6.9 million mt. July exports lifted 27%, to 1.4 million mt from 1.1 million mt in July 2023.
Brazil:
Granular ammonium sulfate imports lifted to $180-$185/mt CFR from last week’s $175-$185/mt CFR range. Demand remained lively even as sellers pushed for higher prices, with buyers looking to secure tons for August, September, and October loading.
Inland prices shook off a slowdown in the corn market to move up $5/mt at the low side, firming to $290-$300/mt FOB Rondonópolis from $285-$300/mt FOB at last report. Rising ammonium sulfate costs have significantly impacted the formulation of NPK blends for current-season crops, players noted, helping to offset the higher costs.