U.S. Gulf:
The ammonium sulfate barge market was called $230-$240/st FOB, up from the week-ago $225-$240/st FOB. Interoceanic (IOC) reposted NOLA at $275/st FOB on March 24, up from $240/st FOB.
Eastern Cornbelt:
AdvanSix on March 25 reported that it was increasing the price of granular ammonium sulfate to $275/st FOB Hopewell, Va., up $10/st from the previous posting, while prices at all other distribution points in the company’s system would move up $25/st, effective immediately. Based on the company’s last postings on March 1, the new levels include $295/st FOB Granite City, Ill., $300/st FOB Prairie du Chien, Wisc., $305/st FOB Amherst Junction, Wisc., and $310/st rail-DEL in Illinois and Wisconsin.
IOC on March 24 also announced another price increase for PCI Nitrogen’s granular ammonium sulfate, with new prices firming to $300/st FOB Illinois and Ohio River terminals.
Prior to the posting hikes, sources quoted the low end of the regional ammonium sulfate market at $265/st FOB out of spot Illinois and Ohio River terminals.
Western Cornbelt:
Ammonium sulfate prices were reported at $255-$265/st FOB St. Louis and other river terminals early in the week, but Iowa sources reported new levels up to $300/st FOB on March 25.
IOC on March 24 raised its granular ammonium sulfate prices to $295/st FOB St. Louis and Delta terminals and $310/st FOB Sioux City, Iowa. The company’s new postings in the Southern Plains included $275/st FOB Houston, Texas, and $315/st rail-DEL. AdvanSix followed with a $25/st price increase of its own on March 25, which pushed granular postings up to $305/st FOB Sioux City and $310/st rail-DEL in Iowa.
Northern Plains:
The granular ammonium sulfate market remained at $250-$260/st FOB St. Paul early in the week, with delivered tons ranging from $275-$295/st in North Dakota, depending on time of shipment. Sources reported higher postings from AdvanSix on March 25, however, with granular ammonium sulfate firming $25/st to $300/st FOB Winona and Brooten, Minn., and $310/st rail-DEL in Minnesota.
IOC also raised its granular ammonium sulfate postings on March 24, to $300/st FOB Upper Mississippi River terminals and $325/st rail-DEL in the Northern Plains.
Northeast:
The granular ammonium sulfate market firmed to $275/st FOB Hopewell, Va., on March 25, with the East Liverpool, Ohio, market quoted at the $300/st FOB level. Delivered tons were reported at $285-$310/st in the Northeast, up $10-$25/st from last report.
Eastern Canada:
The granular ammonium sulfate market was quoted at C$407-$450/mt FOB in Eastern Canada as of midweek, depending on location, but a posted producer increase pushed the upper end of the range to C$465/mt FOB on March 25.
China:
Sources reported at least one ammonium sulfate sale in Southeast Asia that showed a netback of $165/mt FOB. Other deals, said traders, put the price range at $160-$165/mt FOB. Producers continue to push for higher prices, with some calling the market $165-$170/mt FOB, but without being able to point to specific sales to back up their claims.
Exports from China in the first two months of the year were pegged at 1.3 million mt, according to Trade Data Monitor. This compares with 975,000 mt exported during the same period last year.February exports were at 646,000 mt compared to 348,000 mt in February 2020.
Brazil:
Sources reported limited ammonium sulfate business, with prices edging up to $210-$225/mt CFR.
International sources were not surprised to see the pricing movement in Brazil. They said the Brazilians are being hit by a double whammy of rising prices out of China and higher freight rates. Sources said Brazilian buyers should expect to see more price increases in the near future.
Limited business in Rondonopolis pegged the inland price at $290-$340/mt FOB ex-warehouse. This level is in line with the selling price in Paranagua, where ammonium sulfate is pegged at $285/mt FOB after it clears Brazilian customs.The barter rate in Mato Grosso is pegged at 39 bags of corn for 1 mt of ammonium sulfate.