U.S. Gulf/Tampa: The Tampa market remained quiet last week, with June business at the $625/mt DEL mark.
Eastern Cornbelt: Dealers reported heavy sidedress movement on corn in the region, and post-spraying activity was also steady. One source said growers were still planting corn in his area as well. “They keep going and finding fields,” he said. “It keeps amazing me.”
Hot, dry weather was starting to take a toll on emerging corn crops in many locations in the region, however.
Anhydrous ammonia pricing was quoted at $680-$730/st FOB regional terminals, with the low out of Illinois terminals on a spot basis. The upper end of the range was quoted in both Illinois and Indiana last week.
Western Cornbelt: The anhydrous ammonia market in the Western Cornbelt was quoted at $625-$660/st FOB most regional terminals, reflecting a slight drop from last report, with dealer reference prices reported as high as $680-$700/st FOB in late May.
Several sources said sidedress movement on corn was winding down in the region by late May.
Northern Plains: Sources reported some sidedress work on corn last week, but heavy demand won’t kick in until June in most areas. North Dakota sources said some terminals were out of ammonia in late May, but other locations were reportedly taking advantage of recent rain delays and restocking inventories.
Minnesota contacts pegged the anhydrous ammonia market in a broad range at $640-$700/st FOB, while North Dakota sources quoted prompt ammonia at $765/st FOB and $800-$805/st DEL, depending on location and supplier. Dakota Gasification’s Beulah, N.D., ammonia plant returned to production on May 20 and is running at full capacity.
Eastern Canada: One contact quoted prompt anhydrous ammonia at the $790-$800/mt FOB level in Ontario last week, which was down from last report, but sources reported little new business to test that market in late May.