U.S. Gulf: Potash barges were called around the $510/st FOB mark last week.
Consistent with PotashCorp’s practice of matching supply with demand, it said on Jan. 19 that its Rocanville potash operation will remain temporarily closed through March 3, an additional four weeks from earlier estimates. As previously announced Dec. 8, Rocanville began a six-week shutdown Dec. 25 that was due to end Feb. 4.
U.S. potash imports were off 22 percent in November, to 849,196 st from the year-ago 1.1 million st. However, they were off only 7 percent for the July-November period, to 3.92 million st from 4.21 million st.
Russia: Uralkali reports that combined Uralkali and Silvinit production was up 6 percent in 2011 over combined production in 2010, to 10.83 million mt.
Eastern Cornbelt: Potash out of regional warehouses was quoted at $545-$560/st FOB to the dealer, depending on grade and location.
Western Cornbelt: Potash was tagged at $545-$557/st FOB regional warehouses, with the upper end quoted for white granular tons on a spot basis. An Iowa contact pegged the red granular potash market commonly at the $550/st FOB level at mid-month.
California: The potash market remained flat at $590-$610/st FOB California warehouses, depending on grade and location. Sulfate of potash (SOP) was unchanged at $695-$705/st FOB, and potassium nitrate was steady at $1,020/st FOB for bulk tons and $1,090/st FOB for bags.
Pacific Northwest: Potash was pegged at $595-$610/st rail-DEL in the region, depending on grade and location. Potash pricing at Utah mine locations ranged from $535-$545/st FOB.
Western Canada: Potash pricing remained at $607-$632/mt FOB regional warehouses, depending on grade and location. The market to Canadian customers FOB Saskatchewan mines was pegged in the $592-$601/mt FOB range.