U.S. Gulf/Tampa:
While Tampa for October remained at $255/mt CFR, some observers continued to argue that the next round of pricing should be up due to global outages that have spurred tight supplies.
An export of 25,000 mt was reported to have occurred out of NOLA for shipment in early November at $270/mt FOB, which some equate to $310/mt CFR Tampa. In the meantime, the sale would reflect a NOLA price of at least $245/st FOB.
Eastern Cornbelt:
Anhydrous ammonia pricing remained at $390-$400/st FOB in the Eastern Cornbelt, with the low in Illinois and the upper end in Indiana and Ohio, depending on location.
There is very little activity at the terminals today,” said one regional contact at midweek. “The crop is late coming off due to late planting. I think we are two weeks away from any major movement if-if-if-if the weather holds out.”
Western Cornbelt:
The ammonia market remained at $380-$390/st FOB terminals in Nebraska, and $385-$390/st FOB in Iowa and Missouri.
California:
Anhydrous ammonia postings remained at $360/st DEL in California, with aqua ammonia referenced at $100/st FOB.
Pacific Northwest:
Anhydrous ammonia pricing was pegged at the $390/st level FOB terminals in Washington, unchanged from last report, with truck-DEL tons quoted at the $420/st mark in Idaho. Railed offers were reported at the $360-$380/st level on a spot basis in the region, depending on location and point of origin.
Aqua ammonia was quoted at $104/st FOB Kennewick, Wash., up $5/st from last report.
Western Canada:
Ammonia pricing for fall tons was steady at C$680-$700/mt DEL in Western Canada, depending on producer and location.
“Ammonia is trickling out sporadically in regional pockets across Alberta, Saskatchewan, and in Manitoba close to the Saskatchewan border,” said one regional contact. “With poor crop conditions, suppliers are willing to sell tons out of all terminals. It could be short-selling to ensure tons get to the ground.”
Trinidad:
The Nutrien No. 4 plant returned to production within the past week after being down due to a collapsed cooling tower (GM Sept. 20, p. 3), but the plant reportedly had to go back down for a few more days due to a water leak.
Jordan:
Jordan Phosphate Mines Co. (JPMC) reported that a “very limited amount” of ammonia was released from a safety valve during operations at one of the production units at its Aqaba Industrial Complex on Oct. 14, according to Jordan’s Petra news agency, citing Abdul Aziz Abbadi, the Director of JPMCs Aqaba Industrial Complex.
He said the emissions were immediately contained, but the release affected “a number of workers” who were immediately transferred to the site’s first aid clinic and then referred to a nearby hospital, according to the report.
The producer has capacity for 3,000 mt/d of DAP at the Aqaba Industrial Complex, as well as units for sulfuric and phosphoric acid production.