U.S. Gulf:
While major sellers have moved up postings, sources said there had been no new trades to truly test the market, leaving the price at the last reported $185-$200/st FOB. IOC this week moved its NOLA posting up from $200/st to $225/st FOB.
Eastern Cornbelt:
The ammonium sulfate market was pegged at $225-$250/st FOB in the Eastern Cornbelt, up $5-$10/st from last report, depending on location. The Cincinnati market was pegged at $225-$240/st FOB in early February, with East Dubuque pricing at $230/st FOB for prompt or spring tons.
Interoceanic (IOC) on Feb. 3 announced another price increase for PCI Nitrogen’s premium grade granular ammonium sulfate, effective immediately. New prices include $225/st FOB NOLA for barge tons, and $250/st FOB Illinois and Ohio River terminals.
“Higher nitrogen prices in general, along with ammonium sulfate being at a historic discount to urea, is driving a significant increase in demand,” the company said. “This increased demand is tightening availability as we lead up to an anticipated robust spring season.”
Western Cornbelt:
Ammonium sulfate pricing was quoted at $225-$250/st FOB in the Western Cornbelt, up $5-$10/st from last report, depending on location, with the low reported at St. Louis. The market FOB Camanche was pegged at the $230/st FOB level for prompt or spring tons.
IOC on Feb. 3 raised its ammonium sulfate postings to $245/st FOB Houston, Texas, St. Louis, Mo., and Delta terminals; $250/st FOB Upper Mississippi River terminals; and $255/st FOB Sioux City, Iowa, The company’s rail-DEL postings firmed to $250/st in the Southern Plains and $260/st in the Northern Plains.
Southeast:
AdvanSix on Feb. 3 announced an increase for new orders of bagged ammonium sulfate products FOB Chester, Va., raising the price by $30/st, effective immediately. The company said the increase is in response to strong demand and tightening supplies expected through mid-summer.
California:
Ammonium sulfate pricing was steady at $265-$275/st FOB for standard and $275-$290/st FOB for granular in California. Northern California sources reported rail-DEL offers at the $265-$275/st level.
Pacific Northwest:
Sources quoted the granular ammonium sulfate market in the $260-$278/st FOB or DEL range in the region, depending on supplier, with the bulk of offers in Idaho pegged in the $260-$270/st range. The upper end of the regional range reflected IRM’s posting for Tranzform and WesternPremium grades in Oregon, Washington, Idaho, Utah, and Montana.
IRM’s WesternStandard posting in those four states remained at $240/st FOB or DEL.
Western Canada:
Ammonium sulfate pricing in Western Canada was quoted at C$410-$435/mt DEL, depending on location and time of shipment.
Nutrien reported on Feb. 1 that its ammonium sulfate reference price in Saskatchewan had firmed to C$435/mt DEL, up C$55/mt since Jan. 1. The company said its ammonium sulfate and urea pricing increases reflect tightening availability and strengthening demand in the market, and the anticipation of a very strong spring application season.
China:
Reduced production and steady demand from Southeast Asian buyers has moved the ammonium sulfate price in China up again. Sources peg the market at $125-$130/mt FOB for caprolactam grade tons, with traders reporting sales more at the upper end of the range.
Ammonium sulfate producers are facing the same problems as other industries in the country, including limited energy to run the plant, COVID-related restrictions, and the pending week-long holiday for the Lunar New Year.
Brazil:
The imported price for granular ammonium sulfate remained stable at $160-$165/mt CFR in Paranagua. Standard grade also held even at $140-$145/mt CFR. Likewise, the barter rate for 1 mt of ammonium sulfate remained at 39 bags of corn.
The stability at the ports did not play out at Rondonopolis, with prices there moving up to $280-$310/mt FOB ex-warehouse.