US Gulf/Tampa:
It was still early for indications on Tampa ammonia for December. The November Tampa price settled at $625/mt CFR, up from October’s $575/mt.
Eastern Cornbelt:
With fall application now underway in the region, ammonia prices remained at $725-$750/st FOB regional terminals in Illinois and Indiana, depending on location and producer. Nutrien’s reference price FOB Lima, Ohio, was reported at the $750/st FOB level in early November.
Western Cornbelt:
The ammonia market remained at $715-$725/st FOB in the Western Cornbelt, with the low in Nebraska and the high in Iowa and Missouri.
California:
Ammonia prices were unchanged at $740/st DEL for anhydrous in California, with aqua ammonia postings remaining at $200/st FOB Stockton and $210/st FOB Sycamore.
Pacific Northwest:
Ammonia prices were steady in the $830-$850/st FOB range in the Pacific Northwest, depending on location, with aqua ammonia quoted at $220/st FOB. Sources reported no movement of either product in early November.
Western Canada:
No current ammonia offers were confirmed in Western Canada. The last reported prices were at the C$1,200/mt FOB and C$1,295/mt DEL levels for fall tons.
Northwest Europe:
Sources said the ammonia market has moved firmly to $650/mt CFR. There are reports that a deal with EuroChem came in at $675/mt CFR, however, while others secured tons at the lower level.
The higher price for the EuroChem ammonia is most likely due to the limited number of companies that deal with EuroChem, sources said. While the sanctions placed on Russian companies by the US and EU do allow exemptions for businesses dealing in foodstuffs and fertilizers, navigating the paperwork is complicated. Many companies avoid deals with Russian companies on the off chance that a small error could trigger an investigation into sanctions violations, sources said.
North Africa:
Sorfert in Algeria has reportedly closed a deal at $610/mt FOB. If confirmed, the transaction would add further upward pressure to the Northwest Europe ammonia price.
The temporary cutback in natural gas availability imposed by the Egyptian government apparently did not have a major impact on nitrogen producers. The current bearish nature of the nitrogen market should encourage some producers to ease off from ramping up full production, one trader said.
Brazil:
Ammonia imports to Brazil totaled 246,000 mt in January-October, Trade Data Monitor reported, a 33% decline from the year-ago 367,000 mt. October imports were 22,000 mt, down 56% from the 49,000 mt received in October 2022.
Trinidad and Tobago supplied all of the October tonnage, as well as 91% of Brazil’s ammonia imports through the first 10 months of the year.