U.S. Gulf:
The number heard on NOLA ammonium sulfate barges was $340/st FOB, with players expecting the next trade to be higher in line with other nitrogen price increases. New across-the-board $20/st FOB postings from AdvanSix had some expecting a similar uptick at NOLA, to $360/st FOB.
Eastern Cornbelt:
The ammonium sulfate market was quoted at $360-$390/st FOB in the Eastern Cornbelt, depending on location, reflecting another increase from the previous week.
AdvanSix on Sept. 20 raised its ammonium sulfate prices by $20/st across its entire distribution system. The increase reportedly pushed granular pricing to $335/st FOB Hopewell, Va., and up to $390/st FOB river terminals in the Midwest and Plains regions.
Western Cornbelt:
The ammonium sulfate market edged up to $370-$390/st FOB in the Western Cornbelt, with the low reported at St. Louis and the high reflecting recent river terminal postings from AdvanSix. The market FOB St. Paul had reportedly firmed to as high as $400-$410/st FOB.
California:
Ammonium sulfate prices were quoted at $385-$400/st FOB Stockton, up $20-$25/st, with reports of rail-DEL business in the $385-$445/st range in California, depending on location. New postings on Sept. 25 reportedly firmed to $397-$400/st FOB Lathrop, depending on grade; $400/st FOB Richvale, and Woodland; $410/st FOB Helm; and
$445/st FOB El Centro.
Pacific Northwest:
Ammonium sulfate prices in the Pacific Northwest firmed to $380-
$400/st FOB or DEL, up from the last reported range of $350-$383/st.
Western Canada:
The ammonium sulfate market in Western Canada had reportedly firmed to C$535/mt DEL, up from C$510-$520/mt DEL at last report.
China:
Some amsul production facilities have been forced to close to comply with environmental regulations. Sources said the slight reduction in output has pushed the caprolactam grade amsul price back up to $200-$205/mt FOB.
Chinese ammonium sulfate exports for January through August of 2021 were reported at 6.3 million mt by Trade Data Monitor. This represents a 23.5 percent increase from the 5.1 million mt exported during the same period last year. Brazil was the top buyer at 1.5 million mt, followed by Vietnam at 783,000 mt, and Indonesia at 631,000 mt.
August 2021 exports of 645,000 mt showed a 26.7 percent decrease from the August 2020 amount of 800,000 mt. Brazil tool 144,000 mt and Vietnam received 106,000 mt. The remaining buyers were all under 100,000 mt.
Brazil:
Limited business left a tightened market of $320-$335/mt CFR at Paranagua for granular amsul. Likewise, in Rondonopolis, limited market activity moved the market to $400/mt FOB ex-warehouse.The barter rate at Sorriso remains at 60 bags of corn for 1 mt of amsul.