U.S. Gulf:
NOLA ammonium sulfate barges continued to be quoted at $330/st FOB.
Eastern Cornbelt:
The ammonium sulfate market was pegged at a firm $350-$370/st FOB in the Eastern Cornbelt, with the low reported at Cincinnati and the high reflecting the latest published offers from AdvanSix out of river terminals.
Western Cornbelt:
The ammonium sulfate market was pegged at $350-$370/st FOB in the Western Cornbelt, with the low reported at St. Louis.
Southern Plains:
Ammonium sulfate prices at Houston and Freeport, Texas, remained in the $320-$325/st FOB range, with the Catoosa/Inola market pegged at the $340-$350/st FOB level in late August. IOC’s last postings for granular ammonium sulfate included $325/st FOB Houston and $380/st rail-DEL in the Southern Plains.
South Central:
Ammonium sulfate prices in the South Central region ranged from $330-$340/st FOB Memphis at the low to $365-$370/st FOB Arkansas and Kentucky terminals at the high. The regional range reflected a $5/st increase from last report.
Southeast:
Ammonium sulfate prices FOB Hopewell, Va., firmed $15/st on Aug. 18, to $315/st for granular, $295/st for mid-grade, and $275/st for standard. Pricing in Florida was pegged at $305/st FOB standard and $355/st FOB for granular, also up $15/st, with roughly the same levels reported for delivered tons in the state.
China:
Sources said the price for caprolactam-grade amsul in China bounced around all week, but settled back where it started at $205-$210/mt FOB.
Demand from Asian buyers is combining with stepped up demand from Brazil to keep upward pressure on prices. Sources in Brazil said reports of lower production in China is prompting some advance purchases to make sure the blenders have enough material for the next season.
January-July 2021 exports were up 34 percent, according to Trade Data Monitor, to 5.7 million mt from 4.2 million mt during the same period in 2020.
Brazil remains China’s best customer for ammonium sulfate, receiving 1.3 million mt so far this year, up 86 percent from 703,000 mt during the same period last year. The next largest taker was Vietnam at 677,000 mt.
July 2021 imports totaled 1.1 million mt, up from 664,000 mt in July 2020. Brazil dominated the July purchases at 499,000 mt, followed by Vietnam at 194,000 mt.