U.S. Gulf:
Ammonium sulfate barge prices continued to strengthen, with the last done business called $280-$290/st FOB, up from the week-ago $275-$290/st FOB. Sources said supplies were very tight.
Eastern Cornbelt:
AdvanSix issued a fill program for ammonium sulfate in the Midwest and Plains regions, with a June 1-4 order period and pricing at $285/st FOB river terminals with limited availability. Inland warehouses were priced at a traditional spread to the river. The company said product availability under this program will not begin until after July 1.
Sources quoted prompt ammonium sulfate pricing in the $305-$315/st FOB range out of most river terminals in the Eastern Cornbelt. The last postings from Interoceanic (IOC) on May 26 included $325/st FOB Upper Mississippi and Illinois River terminals, and $330/st FOB Ohio River terminals.
Western Cornbelt:
AdvanSix was out with an ammonium sulfate fill program at $285/st FOB Midwest river terminals for June 1-4 orders, with delivery slated for after July 1. Prompt ammonium sulfate remained in a broad range at $300-$350/st FOB in the Western Cornbelt, with the low reported at Caruthersville and the high reflecting IOC’s May 26 posting at Sioux City, Iowa. The market FOB Camanche, Iowa, was steady at the $315/st level for June-July tons.
Southern Plains:
Granular ammonium sulfate pricing was pegged at $290/st FOB Catoosa/Inola, $295/st FOB Houston, and $290-$300/st FOB Freeport, Texas. May 26 postings from IOC included $295/st FOB Houston and $325/st rail-DEL in the Southern Plains, which were unchanged from the company’s May 3 reference prices.
South Central:
Ammonium sulfate terminal prices in the South Central region were quoted at $290-$310/st FOB, up from $285-$300/st FOB previously, with the low at Memphis and the high reported by Kentucky sources out of spot Ohio River locations. The market FOB Little Rock and Shreveport was pegged solidly at the $300/st FOB level in early June.
New ammonium sulfate postings from IOC on May 26 included $320/st FOB Delta terminals, up $20/st from the previous list price.
“We continue to see strong and heavy shipments on ammonium sulfate and urea as sidedress/topdress is in full force now,” said one regional contact.
Southeast:
Granular ammonium sulfate remained at $300/st FOB Hopewell, Va., with mid-grade referenced at $280/st FOB and standard at $260/st FOB Hopewell. IOC on May 26 raised its posted price to $325/st FOB Tampa, Fla., up $15/st from its May 3 reference price. Delivered pricing in Florida remained at $290/st for standard and $340/st for granular.
China:
Prices remain steady in the low-$160s/mt FOB for caprolactam grade ammonium sulfate. Sources said the price is largely being fixed by the steady price paid by Southeast Asian buyers.
Fluctuations in pricing seem to be coming from shifts in the freight rates. Sources said rates are centered on $40/mt for the region, but buyers of smaller lots or those requiring multiple port visits end up paying a bit more.
Brazil:
Granular amsul at Paranagua was quoted at $235-$250/mt CFR, up slightly at the high end of the range. Sources said demand is steady, as is supply at the ports.The inland price also remained steady, with Rondonopolis pegged at $345-$355/mt FOB ex-warehouse.
Demand for amsul in Brazil could pick up if urea prices continue their upward trajectory as blenders look for alternative nitrogen content.
Turkey:
First-quarter ammonium sulfate imports more than doubled in Turkey, according to Trade Data Monitor, to 380,000 mt from 184,000 mt in January-April 2020. China was the main supplier in 2021 with 267,000 mt, compared to only 322 mt last year.
April imports were also up dramatically, at 115,000 mt compared with 34,000 mt in April 2020. Chinese suppliers dominated the market again with 95,000 mt in April 2021.