Tampa: Preliminary negotiations for second-quarter molten sulfur prices for delivery to Tampa began last week, but will probably not be settled until near the end of the month, which is about normal.
A source said sulfur producers were seeking an increase of about $10/lt, but that will probably meet some stiff resistance from the phosphate industry, which has adequate supplies and more stockpiled.
Mosaic was concluding its self-imposed curtailment of phosphate production at the end of the month, so it should begin using somewhat more sulfur than it did during the first quarter of the year. The company has been purchasing molten sulfur at below-market prices and has been putting it on the ground at its facility in Texas.
Refinery capacity operating rates for last week increased from 82.2 percent to 84.5 percent, an increase of 2.3 percent, according to the U.S. DOE.
Vancouver: Speculators in China have pushed the price of sulfur there to $210-$220/mt, and that could increase a bit more. In Vancouver, spot prices were in the $180-$200/mt FOB range, and contract talks were in process.
West Coast: Spot prices for prill on the West Coast were said to be in the $180-$200/mt FOB range last week.