U.S. Gulf:
Ammonium sulfate barges were reported in the $295-$300/st FOB range, down from the week-ago $300/st FOB. Sources said new import cargoes have entered the market, so prices have slipped a bit. However, IOC has reposted its PCI product to $340/st FOB NOLA, up from the previous $300/st FOB level.
Eastern Cornbelt:
The ammonium sulfate market remained in the $320-$350/st FOB range in the Eastern Cornbelt in mid-July, depending on location, with the low confirmed at Cincinnati, Ohio. Interoceanic (IOC) announced higher postings on July 22, however. The company’s new prices for PCI Nitrogen’s granular ammonium sulfate include $365/st FOB Delta terminals, $370/st FOB Illinois and Ohio River terminals, and $385/st FOB Tampa, Fla.
Western Cornbelt:
Ammonium sulfate prices were unchanged at $320-$350/st FOB in the region, with the low reported at St. Louis. IOC’s postings for granular ammonium sulfate firmed on July 22, however, to $325/st FOB Houston, Texas; $365/st FOB St. Louis, Mo.; $370/st FOB Upper Mississippi River terminals; and $390/st FOB Sioux City, Iowa.
IOC’s rail-DEL postings for granular ammonium sulfate firmed on that date as well, to $380/st in the Southern Plains and $390/st in the Northern Plains.
California:
Granular ammonium sulfate was steady at $325-$340/st FOB in California, with the low at Stockton. Standard grade continued to be referenced at the $318/st level FOB Chico and Woodland, Calif. Rail-DEL tons remained at $320-$345/st in the state, with the low for fine grade and the high for granular
Pacific Northwest:
Reference prices for ammonium sulfate in the Pacific Northwest were unchanged at $330/st FOB or DEL for standard and $363/st FOB or DEL for granular product in mid-July.
Western Canada:
Ammonium sulfate prices in mid-July were pegged at C$500-$510/mt DEL in Western Canada.
China:
Sources reported steady demand from regional buyers for Chinese caprolactam grade amsul. The price remains just under $200/mt FOB at $195-$198/mt FOB, despite arguments by producers that it should be higher.
Exports in the first half of the year were up 28 percent, to 4.6 million mt from 3.6 million mt during the same period last year, according to Trade Data Monitor. June exports were up 18 percent, to 698,000 mt from 591,000 mt in June 2020.Second-quarter exports were reported at 2.4 million mt, up 31 percent from last year’s 1.8 million mt.
Brazil remained China’s top customer. Brazil bought 810,000 mt during the first six months of the year, 443,000 mt in the second quarter, and 114,000 mt in June.
Brazil:
The landed ammonium sulfate price was quoted at $310-$330/mt CFR at Paranagua. Sources said there were few offers, but just enough movement to show market forces at work.
Trading activity in Rondonopolis stepped up, creating a wider gap in prices. Sources now put the amsul market there at $410-$454/mt FOB ex-warehouse. Sources said some of the movement comes from NPK blenders looking to use amsul instead of the more expensive urea for nitrogen content.