U.S. Gulf:
Ammonium sulfate barge prices continued to be put in the $265-$275/st FOB range, though sources indicated toward the end of the week that it might be hard to find anything below $275/st FOB.
Eastern Cornbelt:
Granular ammonium sulfate was quoted at $300-$320/st FOB in the Eastern Cornbelt, with the low at Cincinnati. Pricing out of East Dubuque was confirmed at the $305/st FOB level for May-June offers, while the last postings from Interoceanic (IOC) included $310/st FOB Upper Mississippi and Illinois River terminals and $315/st FOB Ohio River terminals.
Western Cornbelt:
The ammonium sulfate market was pegged at $300-$330/st FOB in the Western Cornbelt, with the low at St. Louis and the high at Sioux City, Iowa. May-June offers FOB Camanche were quoted at the $305/st level early in the week.
California:
Premium grade ammonium sulfate prices in California were up $20/st, to $325-$335/st FOB, depending on location. IRM’s postings for WesternStandard were up $20/st as well, to $318/st FOB Chico and Woodland, Calif.
Pacific Northwest:
Ammonium sulfate pricing in the Pacific Northwest ranged broadly at $338-$365/st FOB or DEL for granular, up significantly at the top end of the range, with standard grade quoted at $300-$305/st FOB or DEL and reflecting a $10-$15/st increase from last report.
Western Canada:
Ammonium sulfate prices continued to firm in Western Canada amid reports of tight supply. Sources quoted new offers in the C$515-$530/mt DEL range, with inventories described as “limited at best.”
China:
Prices are in the upper-$150s/mt FOB for caprolactam-grade ammonium sulfate and are expected to move up as the price of urea goes up.
Sources said a firming urea price means more opportunities for ammonium sulfate sellers. Higher urea prices often prompt NPK producers, in particular, to drop urea as their source of nitrogen in favor of ammonium sulfate. In addition to getting their nitrogen content for less, the product can advertise the addition of sulfur in the blend.
Brazil:
Paranagua moved up smartly to $225-$235/mt CFR for granular ammonium sulfate. The $25/mt lead came as inland buyers were nervous about higher urea prices and looked for alternative nitrogen supplies.
The Rondonopolis price shifted mildly to $310-$345/mt FOB ex-warehouse. Likewise, the corn barter ratio shifted slightly, from 39 bags to 38 bags for 1 mt of ammonium sulfate.